The Task
In 2002, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) identified the need to carry out a comparative assessment of the health and safety performance of its numerous, country-wide and internationally located businesses. ESB decided to commission Antaris and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to undertake this review of its business units including Networks, Power Generation, Consultancy and Commercial activities. This assessment was to be carried out in order to evaluate the “health” of the health and safety management system of each business unit, and to measure and ultimately improve its health and safety performance.In 2002, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) identified the need to carry out a comparative assessment of the health and safety performance of its numerous, country-wide and internationally located businesses. ESB decided to commission Antaris and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to undertake this review of its business units including Networks, Power Generation, Consultancy and Commercial activities. This assessment was to be carried out in order to evaluate the “health” of the health and safety management system of each business unit, and to measure and ultimately improve its health and safety performance.In 2002, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) identified the need to carry out a comparative assessment of the health and safety performance of its numerous, country-wide and internationally located businesses. ESB decided to commission Antaris and the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) to undertake this review of its business units including Networks, Power Generation, Consultancy and Commercial activities. This assessment was to be carried out in order to evaluate the “health” of the health and safety management system of each business unit, and to measure and ultimately improve its health and safety performance.
Action Taken
In order to compare the performance of the different locations, Antaris and NSAI developed a benchmarking assessment software tool (BAT), which was modelled on the requirements of OHSAS 18001, the occupational health and safety management system standard, and customized to reflect the particular health and safety issues within the ESB.
Together we defined a BAT model based on seven sets of “drivers” and three sets of “results”. The “drivers” specified what an organisation should do in order to implement an effective health and safety management system and encompassed all of the requirements of OHSAS 18001. The “results” detailed outcomes achieved through implementation of the drivers and demonstrated a commitment to continual improvement and best practice.
Each “driver” and “result” were assessed by means of a set of questions, which were scored on a scale of 1 to 5 based on the response of the business unit to the questions.
Antaris and NSAI assessed in excess of 120 locations and developed a software to capture the findings and produce a benchmarking assessment report for each site.
The Results
As a result, Antaris and NSAI helped the ESB to map out the health and safety performance across the various units and identify opportunities for improvement. This resulted in a marked reduction in the number of accidents and incidents. The benchmark assessment process also accelerated the drive for certification to OHSAS 18001 throughout the ESB.
‘ESB has operations in a large number of countries worldwide. As we strive towards our goals of zero injuries to staff and minimising our impact on the environment we are also aware of the need to comply with the varying legal obligations that apply to these matters in different jurisdictions. Keeping abreast of evolving relevant legislation is a critical challenge for our company. I have found that the TMS Register of Legislation and Compliance Tool provides me with a tailored and cost-effective means of meeting this need and gives me the assurance that we are up to date regarding our statutory safety and environmental obligations’
Owen Wilson, Manager Group Health, Safety and Environment, ESB
