Background to Michael’s Story and the ‘Save our Sparks’ campaign
In 2023, ETT/SparkSafe LtP teamed up with Super Rod to help raise awareness of the ‘Save our Sparks’ Safe Isolation campaign.
The ‘Save our Sparks’ campaign was inspired by Michael’s Story. Michael Adamson was a 26-year-old experienced electrician who tragically died in a preventable electrical incident in 2005. He cut a cable marked ‘NOT IN USE’, which was in fact wired into a distribution board and was not safely isolated.
This fundamental safety procedure that electricians are taught was not being implemented by the electrical contracting industry. By sharing Michael’s Story, his sister Louise Adamson aims to reduce the number of people who die or are injured in preventable workplace incidents.
‘Save our Sparks’ NI campaign
The ‘Save our Sparks’ NI campaign followed on from two successful safety awareness campaigns run jointly by CEF and Super Rod in 2018 and again in 2022. We wanted to put the issue of safe isolation firmly in the spotlight with NI electricians and contractors.
Here’s what we found…
Of the 748 workers who completed the survey, shockingly over 30% reported that they rarely or never used a lock out kit to isolate the electrical supply they are working on. Worryingly, as many as one in four don’t even have one in their van or tool kit.
The findings also showed that one in 60 don’t use any test equipment to ensure there is no charge. Even more worrying is that almost 50 workers stated that they were experienced enough not to make mistakes, so didn’t need to test.
Charlotte Bamber, Chief Executive of ETT, said, “Although a slight improvement on last year’s UK campaign results, there are still some very concerning statistics. Ultimately, too many risks are still being taken. The message to those in our industry must be clear – nothing is more important than every electrician getting home safe and sound each and every day.”
Our ‘Save Our Sparks’ NI commitment
Every electrician in our industry needs to hear Michael’s story. The emotional impact of this story is profound and emphasises the urgent need for improved electrical safety awareness in our industry.
With this in mind, we are taking our commitment to promote and improve safe isolation practices in the NI industry one step further. We will:
• Provide FREE safe isolation training for everyone who attended ETT’s Stay Connected 2023 NI industry event.
• Deliver part-funded safe isolation training in 2024 – we will give 50% off the cost of our half-day workshop (discounted to £62.50).
• Share Michael’s Story and the ‘Save our Sparks’ NI survey findings at industry breakfast mornings, electrical safety awareness and safe isolation workshops.
• Work with industry partners and campaign for funding to ensure NI electrical apprentices are provided with a free safe isolation kit as part of their four-year apprenticeship programme.
• Engage in regular, effective communication to ensure safe isolation remains front of mind with all SparkSafe system users including clients, main contractors, electrical contractors and workers – we all have a part to play to ensure we improve safe working practices and to protect lives.
• Share free advice, guidance and resources provided by industry stakeholders regarding safe isolation training, support and requirements.
We are also delighted to announce that we will be working with CEF, the UK’s largest electrical wholesaler to offer safe isolation kits to those who attend ETT’s Safe Isolation training at a discounted price, making it more affordable and helping electricians stay safe at work. The cost of the Safe Isolation Kit would normally be £124.95 plus VAT, but anyone who attends the Safe Isolation course with ETT will get the kit for £79.95 plus VAT – a massive saving of £45.
Tommy Barrett, CEF NI Group Manager, said, “We in CEF take our role in the electrical industry seriously, and this is a serious issue. If we can help prevent one accident or another tragedy like Michael’s story by supporting this initiative then as an industry, we are making progress but to do so we must get as many electricians as possible trained in using the kits. A lock out kit must become a part of every electrician’s toolkit, including apprentices.”
T: +44 (0)28 2565 0750
E: enquiries@ett-ni.org
www.ett-ni.org
