Mark Sewell

I SUSTAINABLE people I
Utility Strikes Initiative
As with all construction businesses, reducing the number of
Utility Strikes is a key focus. This is fundamental to the safety of
our operatives, but is also important in reducing costs and in
demonstrating safety levels to potential customers. Under the
Utility Strike Initiative we have three main projects running - a
comprehensive Training Review, the development of our
Management Processes and supporting documentation, and a
Publicity Campaign around Utility Strikes, which commences in
early 2013.
1. Training Review
This has been led by the Training and Development Department
and expands upon the previous ‘CAT & Genny’ course, which
trained people on using the Cable Avoidance Tool plus a signal
generator. The expanded course is primarily aimed at operatives
and site supervisors, and covers a range of additional areas. For
example interpreting drawings, carrying out surveys and using
the latest versions of CAT where implemented - as well as
identifying features on the roads and in the environment which
may indicate the presence of utilities services.
2. Development of Management Processes
These are aimed at everyone in the operational chain and
introduce a single set of processes that we can continually
improve. Until now, a variety of different processes have been in
force, so our aim is to not only develop a better set of processes,
but also to unify them so we can compare from one region to
another and see what is working best.
For example, they include a set way of investigating an incident
which determines who is asked what questions, as well as
template documents for creating ‘league tables’ between
different supervisors and different gangs. We’re not looking for
the worst performers, instead we're looking for best - so we can
see what they are doing well and how we can replicate that
across other gangs or other supervisors. The emphasis is very
much on developing people to help them to perform better.
3. Publicity Campaign
This is aimed at management staff, to introduce the
Management Processes and to draw their attention to the issue
of Utility Strikes in general. In early 2013, we will be bringing in
external presenters to deliver high impact presentations which
show the real consequences of Utility Strikes on an individual
and on the people around them.
Elements of these presentations will also involve operational
staff, who will use their real-world experience to explain to
colleagues how the new Management Processes will work. The
aim is to give managers the skills, documentation and
understanding of what their supervisors should be doing for
them, how to guide the supervisors and how to monitor their
performance to avoid Utility Strikes.
Director Steve Lyons concludes:
“Clancy Docwra takes the issue of Utility Strikes very seriously,
which is why we're carrying out these group-wide activities and
investing time and money in them. We want to improve how we
carry out our responsibilities in our daily work, and all play our part
in avoiding Utility Strikes. We need to make ourselves better and to
think about things that we can do better, and this initiative will
enable us to do that.”
Safe Digging Quiz
Hitting utilities services is one of the biggest dangers we face. As
well as needing time, effort and money to put things right they
present a very real danger of injury or even death. So how much
do any of us know about digging safely? Use our quick quiz to
find out! Answers at the bottom of the page.
1 The term ‘passive locating’ means using
a. The CAT and GENNY
b. The CAT only
c. The CAT and GENNY with a Signal Clamp
2 The HSE document that contains recommendations
regarding a safe system of work in avoiding dangers from
underground services, is the:
a. HSG 42 b. HSG 47 c. HSG 40
3 What colour are buried gas pipes:
a. Yellow b. Black c. Orange
4 How should the location of located utilities be marked on
the ground surface:
a. With sand b. Marker paint/wax crayon c. Stones
5 If utility plans are not available on-site, you should:
a. Just crack on with the job
b. Stop, report to your supervisor
c. Get someone else to do the job
6 How should you treat an exposed utility cable:
a. Use the Cat to determine if it is ‘dead’
b. Push it out of the way and continue digging
c. Treat all cables as ‘live’
How did you do?
Answers:1-B, 2-B, 3-A, 4-B, 5-B, 6-C
What is Mind Safety?
Many Clancy Docwra staff have already completed the
Mind Safety course. We hope that everyone enjoyed it and
took something away from it. But what is it really?
It’s important not to confuse Mind Safety with ‘Health and
Safety’. Mind Safety is quite different. In basic terms, Health
and Safety as a whole load of legislation put in place by
others to protect the workforce and the public - and the
HSE does a fantastic job in making sure we all go home in
one piece.
Mind Safety on the other hand is about how people
behave, how they think, how they act without even
knowing, and the effect their actions have on others. There
is no legislation here, only guidance, so it’s up to all of us as
individuals to take responsibility, to challenge the way we
think and what we believe.
The long term goal within the Clancy Group is to build a
culture of safety which is administered and monitored by
everyone who works here. A culture we can all take pride
in and feel good about.
Winter Issue I 7