ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVENTH Meeting of the Committee held at ENA Offices, London on Tuesday 6 th September 2016.

Transcription

1 HESAC 127th Meeting 6 th September 2016 NATIONAL JOINT HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVENTH Meeting of the Committee held at ENA Offices, London on Tuesday 6 th September Present Chair Geoff Earl... Northern Powergrid (Company Side Chair) Electricity Companies Members Barry Bridgman... Scottish& Southern Electricity Networks Richard Gough... Scottish& Southern Electricity Networks Mark Poucher... National Grid Rodney Ballentine... NIE Networks Lee Wallace... Western Power Distribution Phil Swift... Western Power Distribution Louise Boston... EON Alan Feakins... EDF Energy Trade Unions Members Bud Hudspith... Unite Ian Burkett... GMB (Western Power Distribution) Matthew Lay... Unison Clive Broutta... GMB Dave Morgan... Unite (Western Power Distribution) Others Simon Clarke... HSE Warren Massey... Morgan Sindall (Item 7) Adrian Bolt... Morgan Sindall (Item 7) Paul Fidler... ENA Kieran Coughlan... ENA Peter McCormick... ENA Jamie Reeve... ENA Tanisha Beebee... EnergyUK 1. Welcomes and Introductions 1.1 Geoff Earl welcomed colleagues to the meeting of the National Health, Environment and Safety Committee (HESAC). Simon Clarke (HSE Policy) was attending instead of David Lefever (HSE Inspector), Simon and David will be sharing HESAC duties for HSE in place of Nick Summers. Tanisha Beebee was introduced as the new representative for Energy UK, she will be working alongside Stephen O Neill going forward. Geoff also welcomed Adrian Bolt and Warren Massey of Morgan Sindall who were attending to give a presentation at Item 7. 1

2 2. Apologies 2.1 Apologies were received from: Stephen O Neill... Energy UK Kevin Coyne... Unite (Union Side Chair) Garry Graham... Prospect Dan Shears... GMB Sarah Page... Prospect Neil Freeman... Prospect (UK Power Networks) Neil Thompson... Prospect (Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks) Howard Beynon... Unite (National Grid) John Fish... Unison (Western Power Distribution) Tony Grieve... Unison (Scottish Power Energy Networks) David Riley... E.ON Vinny Cranny... Electricity North West John Ayre... EDF Energy John Armstrong... E.ON 3. Minutes of Meeting held on the 14 th June 3.1 (a) Minutes There were no comments and the minutes were agreed as an accurate record of the meeting. (b) Matters Arising (i) Item 9.2 EMF Regulations (Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016) Geoff Earl provided an update on this action following the last meeting of National HESAC that was held before the new EMF regulations came into force. Thanks were recorded to Dr John Swanson and the EMF Strategy Committee for producing and publishing all the material including the risk assessment and information sheet in time for the new regulations coming into force. Particular thanks were given to John Swanson who had given up his time to produce an informative training video briefly detailing the requirements within the new regulations and highlighting the possible implications it will have on the businesses. All content is now available on the ENA website. (ii) Matthew Lay took the opportunity to raise at this point that there were some slight concerns felt amongst the unions post Brexit on what precautions the networks are putting in place to address the possible consequences. Paul Fidler provided an update on behalf of ENA and its member companies to say that post Brexit the ENA have set up a project team which is looking at everything that has the potential to be effected as a consequence of Brexit and the necessary precautions are being taken should there be any immediate changes in regulation and strategic direction in the forthcoming months. It was noted however that there does not seem to be any immediate effects 2

3 and in terms of Health and Safety, it was felt that much of the European Health and Safety legislation imposed on the industry currently is either derived from a British standard anyway or that UK legislation is more prescriptive and therefore no significant changes are foreseen to take place at this stage. Discussions will remain abreast of activity to ensure GB continues to be well represented and there was agreement around the table that this should continue to be monitored. 4. Powering Improvement (PI) Update 4.1. Geoff invited Peter McCormick to provide feedback on the progress being made within the Electricity Industry H&S strategy with reference to paper HESAC 793. Work in support of the first phase ( ) continues and the asset management and corporate memory workshops are still being delivered with dates being being canvassed with the remaining network operators still to host the workshop and a confirmed date has been agreed with Northern Powergrid for a workshop on the 23 rd November Although the first workshop was held at Northern Powergrid in 2012, the content is now different to when it was first presented The Working with Contractors theme in 2015 was discussed further and ENA has started working with ISSA to produce a high level guidance document to highlight good practice from both a client and contractor perspective. ENA will involve contractors in the work to ensure that the document targets the right audience and captures the appropriate messages. This work builds on the successful collaboration with ISSA on the Management Guidelines project, which has led to 1000 copies of the booklet being issued to member companies. Contractors will also continue to be invited to PI workshops and National HESAC meetings as a way of continued engagement It was noted that the 2016 Delivery Plan has been issued addressing key industry health issues and Geoff Earl is the Champion for the year. An update on progress will be given at agenda Item plans were discussed and Peter McCormick reported that a paper was presented to the Powering Improvement Steering Group (PISG) for consideration. The 2017 annual topic subject is Asset Management a sub group as per 2012 is being formed to help deliver the outputs for next year under a terms of reference decided by the group Peter McCormick took the opportunity to raise that the potential candidates for a PI Champion were discussed at the PISG on the 1 st September and one individual was chosen as the best fit and most appropriate person to be approached to take on the role. Peter informed the group that this person had been approached and was delighted to inform members of National HESAC that the Champion for PI Asset Management theme in 2017 will be Phil Swift (Director of Operations for Western Power Distribution and Chair of ENA Electricity Networks and Futures Group). Phil stated at the meeting that he was happy to take on the role and looking forward to driving some positive outputs in PI

4 4.6. Simon Clarke said that following the meeting of the PISG, he had also taken an action to speak with colleagues at HSE to see if anyone was able to commit their time to represent HSE on the Asset Management Subgroup. Simon was able to confirm that Ian Burley (Electrical Specialist Inspector) is willing to be part of the sub-group Tanisha Beebee took the action on behalf of Energy UK to raise this matter internally in hope that one of the Generation companies and suppliers can be represented on the sub group as well as an Energy UK representative. Action: Tanisha Beebee/Alan Feakins to raise within Energy UK forums Peter McCormick will follow up with the various members nominated for the subgroup and report back to National HESAC at a later date with confirmed group members. Action: Peter McCormick 4.9. The focus in 2018 will be on Human and Organisational Factors and members agreed that a mature conversation and approach will be needed on how best to address this topic and similarly for 2019 where the focus will be on Leadership. 5. Occupational Health Update 5.1. Geoff Earl provided an update as Chair of the ENA Occupational Health Committee with a presentation. The presentation will be circulated with the minutes post meeting. Action: Jamie Reeve to circulate Geoff started his presentation by reiterating the importance of managing occupational ill health risks and ensuring that we (industry) monitor our incident rates that occur as a result of occupational ill health. There is room for improvement not just as a sector but on a national scale. The desired outcomes and key outputs of the 2016 PI Delivery Plan reflect this and the value of collaborative working with the Trade Unions and via ENA member companies Geoff Earl provided an overview of the work undertaken on occupational health by the companies in 2016 and the work achieved via through the Occupational Health Committee so far. An occupational health leaflet was issued at the SHE Conference and been placed on the PI website highlighting the link between industry priorities and company initiatives but it also recognized the key industry champions in each of the ENA member organisations that the can be used as a reference point for the workforce. 4

5 5.4. Geoff illustrated a brief overview of some of the initiatives that the companies have been carrying out within the separate businesses which all align to the principles of PI. A demonstration of the hard work and collaboration that is taking place between the members within the Occupational Health Committee as it is all about raising the profile and having consistent communication Geoff then went on to describe one of the main outputs being delivered through the ENA Occupational Health Committee is an industry road map that is currently being developed. This will act as a resource tool for all information and initiatives on occupational health submitted by the companies, unions, HSE and external parties. The road map will be a standing illustration of various roads that split off into different directions, each direction will represent a subject or category or theme of occupational health and within that area will be a number of links that will have attachments for the various material. A scope has been sent out to the Powering Improvement Website developers and designers for consideration and the cost of the project will be split between the ENA PI stakeholders (as agreed by the ENA Occupational Health Committee) It was noted that once the facility is developed and in place all PI stakeholders will be asked and welcomed to add documents to the database, this could be individual ENA and Energy UK member company s specific occupational health initiatives or external resources from outside the sector. It s important that the Road Map becomes a useful tool to act as a library of information that is free to access for all Details of company initiatives will also be collated during the year and issued as case studies in due course. The group was encouraged to provide examples of any health initiatives within their organisations. Members were also asked to make suggestions for any future contractor presentations at meetings that could include examples of health initiatives Powering Improvement will also feature at the Utility Week Health and Safety Conference in Birmingham on 30 November 2016 when Geoff Earl will be presenting on Powering Improvement a Whole Industry Approach to Occupational Health. National HESAC members are encouraged to support where possible Another key event that Geoff raised at the meeting was the 2016 Powering Improvement workshop being held at the ENA Offices in London on 19 th October. This is intended to highlight the various ways that companies are addressing the health priorities outlined in the Outputs of the 2016 Delivery Plan. An invite will be sent out shortly to members of HESAC, company contractors, HSE and PI advocates and stakeholders. 5

6 6. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Occupational Health Update 6.1. Richard Gough provided an update on behalf of his business, the slot was initially meant to be presented by Charlotte Mitchell (Health and Wellbeing Manager for Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks - SSEN) however as Richard was attending the meeting anyway he gave the presentation on Charlotte s behalf Around 5,500 direct employees are covered under the SSEN Occupational Health surveillance programme. These employees receive screening such as audiometry, fitness checks, respiratory checks etc., they are also undertaking a full company risk review in 2016 to ensure the right employees are covered for the right checks Across the company the Healthy Working Lives initiative has been rolled out with specific groups at many of their sites. The Glasgow, Cumbernauld and Perth sites have attained Gold status awards, and other Scottish sites are working hard to attain gold status. The sites in England will soon be following the Public Health England workplace wellbeing charter, and all sites in Wales will follow Healthy Working Lives Wales. The assigned themes to each month in the calendar for the Healthy Working Lives Groups across the company Richard highlighted the calendar for 2016 which included Healthy Heart, Diabetes and Cancer awareness. The slides will be circulated with the meeting notes. 7. Morgan Sindall Presentation 6 Action: Jamie Reeve to circulate Geoff welcomed Warren Massey and Adrian Bolt to the meeting who were presenting on behalf of Morgan Sindall, a contracting organisation for a number of the Networks and Generation companies to provide an insight into their business, some of the work they have been carrying out with the specific companies and an insight into their specific Occupational Health initiatives Adrian started the presentation and gave a brief overview of the business, including the type of work that Morgan Sindall does including the work carried out for their clients National Grid doing cable work on 132kV to 400kV and the dig and lay contracts they have with WPD, a relationship that goes back almost 15 years Warren then went on to describe some of the successful Health and Safety Initiatives that have been rolled out within Morgan Sindall which has contributed to some big improvements in their health and safety record. By identifying their top health risks (Dust, HAVs, Manual Handling & Noise) they were able to focus on particular themes and put in resource to mitigate and monitor the health risks that led to a reduction in the number of days lost due to sickness and ill health. One example was monitoring exposure time of employees who were exposed to vibration from the use of work equipment on a daily basis, this involved issuing a wrist mounted system to employees and issuing training for a device that monitors their HAVs exposure. These were also issued out to sub-contractors and although rolled out fairly recently, the feedback has been very positive to date (for more information on HAVwear please contact forbesengland@reactec.com or visit

7 7.4. Morgan Sindall continue to engage with their clients and sub-contractors on a regular basis through their monthly meetings and engagement is kept with the workforce via various routes including issuing reminders and methods via a text messaging service for specific tasks. They have also been keen to promote their initiative Views of Operatives in the Construction Environment (VOICE) which gives everyone working for the business to speak up and take the opportunity to voice their opinions on occupational safety and health issues Lee Wallace added that the HAVs is not only a health issue but also an indication of poor maintenance of some equipment and something to be considered for the 2017 Asset Management theme The slides will be circulated with the meeting notes. 8. HSE Report Action: Jamie Reeve to circulate Simon Clarke provided an update from HSE. The HSE have a commitment to review and refresh the sector strategies. The draft Electricity sector strategy was tabled at the PISG meeting and feedback was given on the day. The document will be a high level Industry strategy for the utilities sector that needs to be completed by Q It is likely that there will be three broad and inter related issues within the industry that will be the focus areas of the strategy, these are likely to be: 1. Integration and use of new technologies; 2. Managing ageing infrastructure and its decommissioning; and 3. Industry fragmentation and rapid changes. Members were asked to feedback to Simon on the draft proposal. Action: All to feedback views to Simon Clarke The Occupational Health Strategy is currently being drafted and due for publication in December Updates will be given closer to the time The HSE are planning to develop the stress management standards, there will be a consultation period during this revision to provide an opportunity to input. It is envisaged that this will take place around March Trade Union Report 9.1. In the absence of Kevin Coyne, Bud Hudspith provided an update for the trade unions. Bud commented that it was good to see a wide range of recognition and activity across the Powering Improvement focus year on occupational health and that the Trade Unions were supportive of the work. There was no other business for noting. 7

8 10. ENA Report Jamie Reeve provided an update on behalf of ENA. Jamie highlighted three pieces of work worth noting to the group The 6 th September saw the launch of the single electricity number 105 (SEN), an online campaign had been launched earlier that day (6 th September) with an official launch being hosted in the afternoon. The helpline has been developed by the UK's electricity industry to provide a single telephone number for people anywhere in Britain to contact their electricity network operator to report a power cut or safety concern, or receive reassurance during a blackout Jamie also announced that a date and venue had been set for the 2017 annual ENA Safety, Health and Environmental Management Conference hosted by National Grid. The conference will take place on the 25 th and 26 th May 2017 at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham with welcome drinks on the evening of the 24 th May Lastly Jamie thought it was worth noting that ENA has been carrying out a stakeholder engagement exercise and have identified that there is a weaker relationship on the environment side of Safety, Health and Environment stakeholders and are now in the process of gaining contact with the 4 main Environmental regulators for the UK (Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Agency, National Resources Wales and the Environment Agency Northern Ireland) with good initial engagement made with the Environment Agency. 11. Energy UK Report Alan Feakins provided an update from Energy UK. Currently working with Department for Business Energy and Strategy including the Energy Networks Association Smart Meter Operations Group (SMOG); MOCoPA and MAMCoP who have put together a health and safety sub group looking into the potential risks that may rise during the Smart Meter roll-out. Some members of National HESAC raised that they would be interested to learn of the outcomes from this group. Alan Feakins took the action along with Paul Fidler to ensure any messages worth noting are effectively communicated to National HESAC and member companies. Action: Alan Feakins and Paul Fidler Alan Feakins commended the work achieved through Dr John Swanson on the Industry EMF risk assessment and updated that the Generation and Supplier Companies have carried out the work and have illustrated compliance with the new regulations Energy UK companies are looking into demolition awareness and existing safety standards and will be exploring the topic in more detail over the next year and as such 8

9 see it as an opportunity to be incorporated into the work program for the 2017 Powering Improvement theme on Asset Management Finally Alan updated that the Energy UK Health and Safety Conference will take place in Leeds on the 22 nd September and welcomed members of HESAC to attend. Bookings via Energy UK website. 12. SHE Developments Europe and UK Paper for noting. Geoff Earl asked for any feedback to be submitted to ENA via Jamie Reeve. 13. AOB Geoff Earl took the opportunity to say farewell and record thanks to Ian Burkett who was attending HESAC for the last time after nearly 9 years of serving on the committee. Thanks were given to Ian for his immense contribution since 2008 and members wished him the best of luck in his retirement Thanks were also given to Geoff Earl for Chairing National HESAC as Company side Chair for 2016 and a note was made that a union representative will take over as chair at the first meeting in Discussions will be had with the Trade Unions on who will take over as union side chair for Action: Trade union colleagues to discuss and nominate a chair for 2017 and to agree dates for 2017 National HESAC meetings. 14. Date of next Meeting The next meeting of National HESAC will be on the 1 st March