NEWS
Innovative training programme upskills up utilities sector
A Co Tyrone firm has been prosecuted following the death of Adam Newell, an 18-year-old electrical apprentice working at a new-build property in of an 18-year- old electrical apprentice Co Tyrone firm fined after death
A first-ever Joint Utilities Entry Level Training Programme, aimed at upskilling support workers for subcontractors installing
utility assets, has been completed in Northern Ireland. Developed to build the
workforce needed for a net- zero economy in the region, the programme represents a partnership between the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB NI), Department for the Economy (DfE), NIE Networks and Kier. Participants completing the
Moneymore, in 2021. Swift Control Services
Limited was fined £10,000 at Londonderry Crown Court, following an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI). The Dungannon-based company pleaded guilty to a single health and safety offence at an earlier court hearing in relation to the incident on October 16, 2021. Adam sustained fatal injuries after coming into contact with a live electrical circuit during work inside the property, which was under construction. He was working alone and unsupervised within a storeroom in the property when the incident occurred. A newly-laid electrical cable had become energised, resulting in electrocution. Lee Dougan, Inspector from HSENI’s Major Investigation Team, said, “It is vitally important that young or inexperienced workers including apprentices, are provided with clear and sufficient instruction, training and supervision from their employer, so they can understand the significance of health and safety whilst at work.” www.hseni.gov.uk
L-R: Gordon Parkes, NIE, Barry Neilson, CITB NI, and Greg Price, Kier.
suited for new recruits or existing operatives without formal training or certification. Phase two of the programme will reopen for new applications in the autumn. Gordon Parkes, NIE Networks, said, “Like many employers, we struggle to find people with Green Skills, an area where 28,000 jobs are expected in the next 10 years.” www.citbni.org.uk
22-week programme gained practical and theoretical training including 80 days on site and 30 days offsite. They will receive certificates and industry-recognised registration cards enabling them to work across the four main utility sectors: electricity, gas, water and telecoms. The programme, which was fully funded for paid employees of relevant businesses, is
Hybrid power system expected to reduce carbon emissions by 70%
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Clancy Construction are collaborating on a pilot hybrid power system to reduce carbon generated during the construction phase of St Laurence’s Park apartments and library development. Expected to reduce the project’s carbon footprint by around 70% over its lifespan, the initiative is said
L-R: Chris Chamber, Clancy, with Denis O’Callaghan and Frank Curran, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
to be a first for a construction site in Ireland. While electricity demand on construction sites is significant, often requiring multiple generators for uninterrupted power supply,
during periods of low demand or when the generator operates at a fraction of its capacity. Chris Chamber, Dublin Regional Director at Clancy, said, “Construction is one of the highest carbon-generating industries so anything we can do to reduce the amount of embodied carbon going into our built environment needs to be a top priority for the construction sector.” www.clancy.ie
the project is using a single 200kVA generator and storage battery as an
alternative to three 200kVA generators. Utilising a single high-capacity generator ensures sufficient power supply for the construction site’s needs. The integration of a storage battery allows for energy storage
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IRELAND’S ELECTRICAL MAGAZINE | 11
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