Frank Mitchell, CEO of ScottishPower Energy Networks, will, for the next 12 months, help to lead the energy industry’s ‘Powering Improvement’ health and safety initiative. The initiative is a joint working partnership between the energy industry, trade unions and the Health and Safety Executive. Building on a track record of successful health and safety initiatives, Powering Improvement is the industry's plan to be a world leader in this vital area by 2015.
Mr Mitchell will work alongside Mike Clancy, recently elected as the next general secretary of the Prospect union, to oversee progress in the initiative for the next 12 months. Working in partnership, ScottishPower and Prospect will seek to continue the work to deliver ongoing improvements in the management of safety and occupational health in the electricity sector up to 2015.
Addressing the Powering Improvement 2013 launch event in Westminster this week (11th September), Frank Mitchell spoke of the excellent work being undertaken as part of the initiative, and the importance of partnership working to deliver real improvements.
Mr Mitchell said: “The Powering Improvement initiative is a fantastic example of companies, unions and the regulator coming together to drive improvements that will help the entire industry. Companies who often find themselves in competition have fully embraced this partnership approach to help drive universal standards in health and safety. I look forward to working closely with Mike Clancy over the next year to ensure the partnership continues to move forward.”
In his speech, Frank Mitchell also discussed the serious issue of metal theft, which continues to pose a major health and safety threat to a number of industries in the UK.
Mr Mitchell said: "Metal theft is impacting many sectors including power, telecoms and transport. If anybody believes this is a victimless crime then I must correct their views. This is costing the UK economy around £1bn per year in economic impact, and it continues to be a very serious threat to public safety.
“ScottishPower has witnessed vandalism and theft that have caused house fires, destroyed computers and TVs in customers’ homes and resulted in potentially fatal scenarios where children and members of the public have been exposed to damaged electrical equipment. I would urge everyone to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police to ensure we stop these mindless criminals from putting lives at risk.”
Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary Designate, said: “This initiative will require sound leadership and the conditions of trust between companies, unions and staff. It builds on the overarching Powering Improvement themes of leadership, worker involvement and competence.”
Media Information: Paul Ferguson, Tel. 0141 614 4535