- The new, innovative and accessible e-learning programme will cover the key risks and controls to be followed in forestry settings where electricity infrastructure is nearby
- Both organisations aim to build on the importance they place on safety across their operations
Tuesday, 5th December 2023
ESB Networks and Coillte are delighted to announce a partnership to collaborate on a new electrical safety learning module for forestry contractors. The e-learning module will cover the key risks and controls to be followed in forestry settings where electricity infrastructure is nearby.
The initiative, which continues the longstanding history of both organisations working closely together, will be rolled out to all forestry contractors working on Coillte sites across the country to enhance the safety of personnel working near overhead and underground powerlines. The programme represents a new and innovative approach, easily accessible to contractors, which has been developed by both organisations.
Commenting, Michael Murray, ESB Networks Public Safety Manager, said: “At ESB Networks, we're delivering the electricity network for everyone's clean electric future, and providing a safe and secure electricity infrastructure is our number one priority. Electricity powers our daily lives but if not treated with the respect it deserves it can cause serious injury or worse so it is essential to be aware of the potential dangers. This is why it is so important to ensure members of the public and those who work near our infrastructure are safe, at all times. I am delighted to be here today for the launch of this e-learning programme with our partner, Coillte, and feel this can make a real difference in educating timber harvesting contractors to help them be more safe every day they go to work.”
Director of Forest Operations, Eamonn Kenny at Coillte, added: “The health and safety of our staff and contractors is our number one priority at Coillte and I am delighted to see the development of this new e-learning module. The module is easily accessible for contractors and will help raise awareness and reduce risks for contractors and staff working near electricity infrastructure.”
The new electrical safety learning module will raise awareness and ensure at-risk stakeholders are fully informed of the risk and controls to be put in place when carrying out activities near overhead and underground powerlines including activities such as the harvesting of trees, planting of trees and development of roads in forestry sites.
ESB Networks is committed to educating and raising awareness among the public on safety. In particular, ESB Networks works to promote behaviour that ensures electricity network safety, communicating the dangers of coming into close contact with the electricity network and equipment. This is a key part of its Networks for Net Zero strategy announced earlier this year which supports the decarbonisation of the electricity system by 2040 while ensuring electricity continues to get to the homes and businesses of 2.3 million electricity customers in a safe and efficient manner every day, every hour, and every minute.
Coillte, Ireland’s semi-state forestry company, is responsible for managing 440,000 hectares of primarily forested lands. It is the nation’s largest forester and producer of certified wood, a natural, renewable and sustainable resource.
In November 2021, Coillte and ESB joined forces to launch their joint venture company FuturEnergy Ireland which aims to develop more than 1GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 and make a significant contribution to Ireland’s commitment to produce 80% of electricity from renewable sources by the end of the decade.
ENDS/