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May 6, 2009 | Jim Kraft honored as Thomas Hill Energy Center Plant Safety Person of the YearContact : Nancy Southworth 417.885.9246 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SPRINGFIELD, MO – Associated Electric Cooperative Inc. has recognized electrician James D. Kraft as Thomas Hill Energy Center Safety Person of the Year for 2008. Nominated by his co-workers, Kraft was commended for his consistent emphasis on safety and coaching of new employees on AECI’s safety practices. “Safety has always been Jim’s first concern on any job he’s given. It’s the first thing discussed even before how we are going to fix the problem. His first thought is always of the person working with him and then himself,” said nominators. As an example, nominators described how Jim and an apprentice were working on the 69-kilovolt switchgear on Unit 3 one day. Their job was to test the integrity and reliability of the motors and high-voltage lines. “Jim had gone to great lengths to explain the procedures for safely installing grounding cubicles and checking them for voltage,” said his safety nominator. “He also covered the safest and best way to install the testing equipment.” While testing the equipment, Kraft noticed several fluorescent lights were dim or out. The two electricians installed new bulbs to improve visibility, especially for employees who must wear protective safety equipment while working in this area. “It was very simple work, nothing to it, but usually it’s the basic things that can get you in trouble,” said Kraft. “The main thing I wanted was to have a good understanding of the need to make it safe.” Safety is AECI’s No. 1 strategic objective, and the cooperative’s combined injury rate for all locations of 2.79 is lower than the national average of 3.9 in the utility industry. Kraft started working in the coal yard of the power plant in 1984, gaining experience and working in various positions in the coal yard before bidding into the electrical shop where he has worked seven years. His days begin with a job safety briefing. From there, he moves out into the plant to troubleshoot a problem or change meters, lights and switchgear. Much of the work is on 480-volt lines. “It’s mean stuff. You definitely have to respect it,” Kraft said. His respect for power goes back to when he was hired full time at age 19. “I was lucky enough to have bosses who always stressed safety. I learned that if you weren’t going to take it seriously, you would have trouble staying employed. Now, I’m lucky to work with a group of guys who take it very seriously. We all know the dangers,” he said. As a member of the plant’s safety committee for most of his career and of AECI’s onsite emergency response team for 10 years, Kraft has put in thousands of hours of training provided by AECI. In his nearly 25 years at the plant, he’s never had a “lost-time accident,” defined as an injury that limits a person’s ability to work the next day, and he’s proud of Thomas Hill power plant’s safety record. “My advice when it comes to safety is: don’t take short cuts and do the job right and safely, even if it takes a little extra time to do it,” Kraft said. “If you figure out a better, safer way to do something, share it.” Photos available on request. 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 875,000 customers. AECI’s mission is to provide an economical and reliable power supply and support services to its members, including the new “Take Control & Save” energy efficiency program, www.TakeControlAndSave.coop. AECI is a Touchstone Energy Cooperative. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V Released: 06 May 2009 |
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