Synopsis

Working in the high-risk electricity sector, Essential Energy’s workforce has a heightened understanding of safety. However, extending safety awareness to an everyday activity such as driving, something many of us do regardless of their type of work, was an important link to make for all employees. Given the 40 million kilometres travelled every year by Essential Energy drivers, awareness of driver safety was identified as being of critical importance. The plan has received support across the business, from management through to on-the-ground employees.

Key outcomes

  • Essential Energy builds, operates and maintains the electricity network across regional, rural and remote areas that cover 95 per cent of New South Wales (NSW) and parts of southern Queensland
  • Customers and the communities it serves are at the core of Essential Energy’s values, with community safety a key focus
  • Safety is central to the business culture, with every person at Essential Energy empowered to make safety their own
  • This commitment to safety extends beyond the operation of a safe, reliable and cost-effective electrical network, and includes a strong commitment to road and driver and community safety
  • An operational fleet should be viewed as a portfolio of high risk, mobile assets
  • It has been identified that fleet condition and asset health has a direct influence on road and workplace safety performance, engagement and behaviours of operators
  • A comprehensive, asset management approach measures, manages and controls the three interdependent and variable “levers” of cost, risk and performance together, maximising the overall business value
  • The application of asset management principles to an operational fleet delivers safety improvements and can also enhance productivity and lead to efficiencies for employees, resulting in increased engagement and improved behaviours
  • The application of these principles has delivered fit for purpose assets, that are maintained and operated as designed, with quality and performance assurances across the full lifecycle
  • Partnering and seeking advice from specialist providers can lead to improved outcomes when investigating technological aids to improve road safety