Case Study
Safety Culture Evaluation for the Energy Networks Association
The Client
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) is the industry body for
UK energy transmission and distribution organisations. It acts in
the interest of the energy 'wires and pipes' sectors to achieve
excellence in both its internal services and relationships with
stakeholders. One of ENA's overriding goals is to enable its
members' networks to be the safest, most reliable, most efficient
and sustainable in the world.
The Problem
A number of incidents over recent years suggested that
experienced, highly trained workers were allowing themselves to be
exposed to unnecessary levels of risk whilst working with live
electricity. In light of this, ENA's Safety, Health and Environment
(SHE) Committee took the decision to commission independent
research to gain a greater understanding of the underlying
behavioural and safety culture within the electricity networks
sector. HSL was selected to perform this work.
What We Did
In partnership with HSL, ENA selected 2 member organisations to
act as representatives for the networks industry. 
Experts from HSL's Work Psychology
team worked directly with these companies to conduct both focus
groups and structured one-to-one interviews. These encompassed a
range of individuals from across the member organisation's
workforce, and focused on specific areas which had been identified
as particularly relevant:
- Understanding the hazards
- Competence and training
- Roles and responsibilities
- Procedures
- Supervision
- Resources
- Management Commitment
- Supervision
- Resources
Outcome/Benefits
A comprehensive report of the findings
was produced for the benefit of both the ENA SHE committee and the
ENA member. The results of the research reported on the
perceptions, opinions, and understandings of the individuals and
groups who were interviewed. This information has directly informed
the new 5 year health and safety strategy for the electricity
industry 'Powering Improvement'. Furthermore, building on the
findings, the SHE Committee has agreed to develop a suite of
guidance documents defining the key issues that need to be
addressed to secure compliance and ensure that risks are adequately
managed.
Downloadable pdf of case study
"The project carried out by HSL has provided ENA with a useful indication of the prevalent safety climate within the networks
industry in the UK. In a number of areas the work helped to confirm what we previously believed, and gave us an evidence
base which has directly fed into our new 5-year strategy"
Peter Coyle, Operations Director at ENA
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