If we were to summarize the goals of the International Section of the ISSA for Electricity, Gas and Water (Electricity Section) – to increase safety and reduce the number of accidents. How are these goals being met?

Since the Electricity Section was founded 53 years ago, we have actively promoted the exchange of experience with the aim of proactively improving safety and health in the energy sector and among its service providers. The Section has already initiated a large number of international working groups and published their results in numerous publications.

In addition to very practical publications, for example on assessing the qualification of an electrically skilled person, there are also cross-sector publications such as on contractor management. Furthermore, the Section regularly hosts international events in order to convey specialist and intersectoral knowledge on the topic of occupational safety and health to an international audience of experts.

Can you tell us about new trends in the field of occupational safety?

Technical solutions have become established in occupational safety and health. Therefore, technical innovations in the field are less likely to contribute to a significant reduction in the number of accidents. Behaviour is nowadays much more often found to be the cause of accidents. This is where the further development of a company's prevention culture comes in. For this, the available tools must be adapted to the specific company and, above all, the company management must also actively advocate their implementation. Especially in times of shortage of skilled workers, a good corporate culture offers the opportunity to attract and retain suitable specialists for the company.

Can you tell us more about the Vision Zero project, which was developed by the International Social Security Association (ISSA)?

Vision Zero has a long history. It began in Sweden at the end of the 1990s in the area of road safety. The goal is to drastically reduce the number of road deaths through a holistic approach. This has been successful so far.

In 2017, the ISSA launched the international Vision Zero campaign for occupational safety and health at the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Singapore. The vision is to prevent all fatal and serious occupational accidents and occupational diseases. In the meantime, a worldwide initiative has developed building on the 7 Golden Rules for practical implementation in companies.

In your opinion, how are the European standards for occupational safety set up? Do you see examples of good or bad practice across Europe?

Until now, with the exception of the European Standard EN 50110 "Operation of electrical installations", there has been no standardisation in the area of the OSH Framework Directive. The member countries were free to choose the extent to which they wanted to use the minimum standard as a basis or to set requirements that went beyond it. We have had very good experience with the above-mentioned standard, especially when it comes to projects put out to tender throughout Europe.

What is our view of the situation in safety education?

Unfortunately, the topic of safety is rarely part of technical studies. In this respect, companies must ensure that young professionals receive appropriate further education before they take on tasks in the company with a high degree of responsibility. Apart from that, one cannot start early enough with raising awareness on the topic of safety, even as early as in kindergarten or primary school.

Let me ask you about prevention. This year, the Section published the “Guidance on How to Manage Near Misses”, and our Association (ČSZE) has also contributed in writing the text. What further steps are you planning to take in support of prevention?

The publication is again a successful joint project of our Section members and, as far as I know, a unique feature of our Section, because until now there has been no overview as a guide to action for companies in this area. One of our next projects is the development of teaching materials to explain electrical hazards to schoolchildren so that we can assist in the aforementioned awareness raising among our professionals of the future.

In November 2023, the ISSA Electricity Section again co-organizes the International Media Festival for Prevention. Can you tell us about this activity?

It is now an old tradition that the Electricity Section organizes the International Media Festival for Prevention together with the Information Section during the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work. This time we were able to set a new record with 325 international entries received. Over the years, we have been able to award many prizes and what is even more interesting, all the entries can be found in the online Media Centre.

What are the Section's next plans, including strengthening of cooperation with other organizations?

First and foremost, we strive to push the Vision Zero campaign further. To do this, we are looking for more ambassadors, meaning companies that have established Vision Zero as their corporate goal. Secondly, we wish to expand our Section’s network so that we can put our work into practice even more globally.

The Czech Association of Employers in Energy (ČSZE) is a voluntary, independent and open interest organization bringing together employers in the field of electricity and heat production and distribution and related fields, as well as other legal entities doing business in the energy sector, and vocational schools focused on energy. It represents its members in collective bargaining and concludes collective agreements of a higher level on their behalf with the relevant trade unions ECHO and ČOSE. It is a collective member of the Association of Industry and Transport of the Czech Republic, a member of the international electricity union EURELECTRIC, the Electricity Section of the International Social Security Association ISSA and the international Association for Live Work LWA.