 |
|
|
January 31, 2008 | Thomas Hill Energy Center sets safety recordContact : Nancy Southworth Associated Electric Cooperative’s (AECI) Thomas Hill Energy Center, near Moberly, Mo., set a record low for workplace injuries in 2007. "Safety is the number-one strategic objective of Associated Electric,” said Kevin Murphy, plant manager. "In recent years, we’ve placed more emphasis on safety and have improved the amount and quality of safety training. The results show in our record-low safety incidents.” Thomas Hill’s 2007 rate of 2.86 “recordable incidents” is its best ever. Recordable incidents are injuries resulting from a workplace injury or illness that requires some type of medical treatment beyond first aid. The rate, as calculated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is an approximation of the number of injuries per 100 full-time employees. Thomas Hill’s low rate was a major contributor to the cooperative’s companywide recordable incident rate of 2.3, which is lower than the national average of 3.9 in the utility industry. The 2007 rate was an improvement on AECI’s previous all-time low of 3.91 in 2006. Murphy said a number of factors explain the continued improvement in safety experienced at Thomas Hill Energy Center. The number-one reason is that employees are taking more personal responsibility for their own safety and that of co-workers. The plant’s Safety Training Observation Program (STOP) in which supervisors observe employees in their work settings and offer suggestions for safety improvements also has helped improve safety awareness. Promoting and planning safety into all aspects of work is a third reason for the improved safety rate. The plant’s wellness program, which provides incentives for employees to take care of themselves physically, also contributes to improved safety. Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. is owned by and provides wholesale power to six regional and 51 local electric cooperative systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma that serve more than 850,000 customers. AECI’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members. AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. ### An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V Released: 31 January 2008 |
|
|||
 |