Covering the Leinster and Connacht regions for Kirby Group Engineering, EHS Manager Aoife Gilheany speaks about the impact of coaching and communication on Kirby’s safety culture as the company continues to expand.
Aoife has worked on the delivery of three of the mechanical and electrical engineering company’s CIF campaigns during her tenure. Now, as she prepares for this year’s CIF Safety Campaign, she explores the fundamental building blocks of Kirby’s Zero Harm programme as the company scales.
Kirby employs over 1,900 people internationally, delivering across the data centre, life sciences, industrial, power and renewable sectors. Last year its turnover exceeded €900m, with the size, value, and scale of its projects increasing year-on-year.
“Communication and coaching are key to Zero Harm,” explains Aoife.
“It is a testament to continued investment, Board endorsement, and the programme’s design and universal delivery that we have been able to keep engagement at the core of our safety approach as we have grown.”
Evolving the programme to maintain this focus has seen Kirby introduce K-Safe – a system that moves the Zero Harm programme onto an app, as well as audits, plant checks and SPA and RAMS assessments which are now available at the touch of a button.
Aoife says, “The digitalisation of our EHS processes is an opportunity for collaboration with our crews, EHS and project leadership team. It allows our supervisors to spend more time on site, engaging with operatives and having the conversations needed to build relationships and consistency, rather than spending hours on paperwork and other administrative tasks.”
“Eight core leading indicators that sit alongside traditional safety measures, revolve around in-person communication. At the end of the day, it is our responsibility to bring the workforce on the safety journey with us, encourage open communication and collaboration, and ensure everyone goes home safe every day. And the data shows that this approach works,” she adds.
Aoife’s own career with Kirby has been one of growth. Promoted three months ago, she’s benefited from Kirby’s expansion, alongside structured learning and development programmes, thanks to the company’s determination to see its people reach their potential.
It’s an ethos she’s keen to perpetuate. Having studied Environmental Health at DIT (now TU Dublin), she returns every year to speak to the students and encourages them to consider a career in construction.
Outreach is just one of the ways that Kirby encourages more women to take up careers in engineering. Kirby has been running a female bursary programme for the last four years. It is open to women studying electrical, mechanical or building services engineering at third level institutions across Ireland and South Africa. Each recipient receives a full scholarship, paid professional placements on Kirby’s national and international projects, mentorship from senior engineers and opportunities to gain highly valuable industry insights.
“It can open up so many opportunities for graduates, particularly for women who may never have considered a career in this area,” Aoife concludes.
