An ingenious design by Cloughan Co Offaly native Bernard Camon is helping ESB Networks crews stay safe while powerlines are being installed.

The ‘Safe Line Lifter’ (photo attached) devised by Mr Camon is a user friendly lightweight tool that helps to significantly lower injury risk of ESB Network Technicians while working on overhead lines. It also reduces safety risks for colleagues working on the ground.

Mr Camon says that he took inspiration for designing the device while watching two colleagues at a height struggling to lift a heavy overhead cable.  “I thought that there has to be a better way, where there was no danger to a Network Technician and other people on the ground. The Safe Line Lifter is a basic design, with a lever arch type effect.”

The long-standing ESB Networks employee says that the lever arch mechanism will ensure a more efficient and safer method to aid installation and maintenance work. “It allows the user lift the line while not leaning back. Assuming a more comfortable position, the line can be installed quicker, more safely and everybody can go home without incident.”

Encouraging new ideas and innovation among staff is an important  part of ESB’s culture. At the 2015 ESB Staff Innovation Awards, Bernard’s Safe Line Lifter won an award in the safety category at a prestigious  ceremony in Dublin recently.

Safety – both of staff and the public  – is a core ESB value. Safe working is an integral part of how ESB plans, organises and undertakes business activities and operations.

This award to Bernard is recognition of how an individual ESB staff member – through a simple ingenious device –  can drive continuous improvement in the safety and health impact of all its activities.

Click here to access a short video of Bernard explaining the device: https://youtu.be/e1tmfaaGWmk