The Electrical Safety Roundtable has announced the winners of the Above and Beyond Awards 2023. These awards celebrate organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond to enhance electrical safety within the workplace.
The organisers say that it has been encouraging to see the variety of work, initiatives and products included in this year’s entries. The judging panel has discussed and concluded the worthy winners which also include two Highly Commended awards.
The Paul Skyrme Electrical Safety Initiative of the Year Award 2023
Winner: South Tyneside Homes, Safe Isolation Procedure and Danger Notification – Diverting Neutral Current Update
The South Tyneside Homes initiative updated its existing Safe Isolation Procedure to include crucial stages to test for diverting neutral currents and the associated dangers that may arise. Through Toolbox Talks and face-to-face presentations, South Tyneside Homes has educated and provided operatives with a methodical strategy for testing for, and dealing with, the risks of diverting neutral currents. The organisation has provided a solid foundation for understanding, diagnosing, and testing the diverted neutral current faults.
Product of the Year Award 2023
Winner: Guardian, matt:e Limited
The Guardian, which was launched in November 2023, is designed to monitor the electricity supply and electrical infrastructure of a property. Incorporating patented O-PEN technology, the Guardian detects faults and safely isolates, or warns of, potential faults before damage occurs. It is simply installed next to existing distribution boards and identifies issues such as loss of neutral and broken pen conductors. The alarm increases electrical safety by detecting faults, safely isolating them, or warning the building owner.
Changemaker of the Year Award 2023
Winner: Mark Graham
Mark Graham has gone above and beyond the legal requirements for a social housing provider to improve compliance and is on track for 100% of housing properties to have a Domestic Electrical Condition Report (DEICR) dated within the last five years. Due to role changes, Mark saw the potential to improve the effectiveness of how the electrical testing of their dwellings was carried out and made it his mission to ensure resources were dedicated to enhancing electrical safety. He was empowered to make this happen and on the ongoing journey to electrical safety has achieved incredible results. Mark has achieved a rapid turnaround in the percentage of their housing stock with a valid DEICR.
The Derek Thompson Industry Service Award 2023
Winner: Malcolm Duncan
Malcolm Duncan has been crowned the award winner due to his commitment to raising awareness of safe isolation. Alongside the team at Super Rod, Malcolm has been dedicated to building a campaign regarding safe isolation procedures since 2018. Malcolm highlighted Michael Adamson’s story and the importance of continuing to educate, promote safe isolation procedures, and improve this particular area of electrical safety. He aims to ultimately get to a place where campaigns are not needed and the fundamental right of anyone going to work, to return home safely is the norm, whatever the environment.
Highly Commended
Winner: Aico and Bineesh Babu
The judges issued two highly commended awards to recognise Aico in the Product of the Year category for the Ei3030 Multi-Sensor Fire and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and Bineesh Babu in the Changemaker of the Year category for his positive impact on electrical safety culture within Mace India Projects.
Read more from Electrical Safety Roundtable here.
