Overview
EDP Renewables (EDPR) has partnered with Intuitive Safety Solutions (ISS) for over five and a half years, relying on ISS’s expertise in safety consulting to ensure the well-being of their workforce across multiple renewable energy projects, including both wind and solar. A major global renewable energy developer, EDPR values ISS’s support as their projects expand across the country and exceed what their internal resources are designed to cover. This case study highlights how ISS has addressed EDPR’s unique safety challenges in a dynamic and often high-risk industry, fostering a culture of proactive safety management.
What does EDP Renewables say?
Zackary Carraway
Senior Health & Safety Manager- Operations & Construction, EDP Renewables
Challenges
EDPR’s construction projects are large-scale, spanning different regions and continuing for extended periods. With a small in-house safety team relative to project demand, EDPR needed skilled safety professionals on site who could enforce and promote safety standards with seasoned construction teams. The challenge lies not only in managing safety but also in guiding and influencing workers with decades of experience, many of whom readily challenge adjustments to long-standing work practices.
Solutions provided by ISS...
Qualified, Personable Safety Consultants
EPR emphasizes the importance of trust and effective communication in its core safety approach. ISS provides consultants with the necessary certifications and industry knowledge and prioritizes consultants who communicate openly and connect well with project teams. These core traits allow ISS consultants to challenge entrenched practices respectfully and effectively, creating a safer work environment by establishing rapport and understanding.
Adaptability to Project Needs
ISS’s involvement in EPR projects has been instrumental in maintaining consistency and setting a high standard for safety on site. Over the years, ISS has supported multiple EPR projects. In one scenario, ISS filled a niche safety need on an experienced construction site, swiftly responding to EPR’s immediate safety requirements after a contractor incident. This responsiveness and adaptability allowed EPR to achieve enhanced on-site safety performance, resulting in incident-free operations.
Leadership and Relationship Management
ISS’s leadership team, particularly the account management team, stands out for its proactive approach and client communication. This relationship allows EPR to seamlessly transition between projects with ISS providing a stable field lens as an extension of their own project management. ISS’s consistent communication and willingness to discuss both professional and personal matters builds a strong foundation of trust, further differentiating ISS from other safety service providers.
Results and Impact
Reduced Incidents and Safety Violations: ISS consultants have helped EDPR maintain rigorous, EDPR-developed safety standards, reducing incidents even amid high-risk operations and setting a strong example for industry safety best practices.
Enhanced Team Cohesion: ISS’s personable and adaptable safety consultants contribute to smoother operations by building trust with long-standing construction teams, allowing EDPR’s safety expectations to be met with minimal friction.
Sustained Partnership Growth: EDPR values its partnership with ISS, emphasizing that ISS’s commitment to high-quality service and reliable communication supports their own growth and project safety needs. This relationship has positioned ISS as one of EDPR’s primary safety partners, with mutual plans to continue expanding their collaborative work.
Conclusion
EDPR’s partnership with ISS demonstrates the impact of personalized safety consulting in the renewable energy sector, where site-specific knowledge, adaptability, and a proactive approach to relationship management are keys to success. ISS continues to enable EDPR’s mission to achieve safe, productive renewable energy projects, contributing to a safer work culture in the rapidly evolving renewables industry.