Supervising engineer Harry Doherty was one of a group of employees at the Electricity Supply Board’s Erne Station who recently participated on the water safety awareness course in order to learn more about water hazards and rescue techniques specific to their industrial environment.
ESB’s Erne Station in Donegal partnered with Irish Water Safety to run the water safety awareness course, as part of European Safety Week last October. “In hydro plants we are surrounded by water and very aware of water as a hazard, but it’s been some years since we actually ran a course on water hazards and rescue techniques,” said plant manager Sinead Treanor. “We contacted Irish Water Safety and they facilitated us with an excellent awareness course that covered all the basics,” she added.
According to Seamus O’Neill of Irish Water Safety, the course is designed to raise awareness and cover basic water safety techniques. “The pool session forms an important aspect of the course; its practical demonstrations, simple rescue techniques, the aspects of buoyancy aids and use of personal flotation devices (i.e. lifejackets) and an introduction to basic life support allows the participants to understand and practice techniques in a safe environment.”
ESB’s supervising engineer Harry Doherty (second left), who received a ‘Water Safety Awareness at Work’ certificate is pictured at the Cathaleen’s Falls station in Ballyshannon with (l-r): Charlie Kennedy (IWS), Sinead Treanor, ESB station manager, and Seamus O’Neill (IWS).
ESB’s supervising engineer Harry Doherty said the course proved very relevant to them on many levels. “We have internal procedures and assessments in place around working on and over water. Highlighting the dangers and risks around water activities, the course connected with staff, as was evidenced from the good level of participation and engagement in the room,” he added.
“The pool session safely teaches rescue techniques and aspects of life jacket and buoyancy aid use. It’s an excellent course that is relevant on many levels, and complements our own internal procedures with useful practical course work,” noted Doherty.
For further information on Irish Water Safety’s range of training courses visit www.iws.ie.