Safety

Our business employs people who routinely work near energized wires, intense heat, nuclear fuel, heavy equipment, moving vehicles, pressurized equipment, and under other conditions that require exceptional safety attitudes and measures. Though it is vitally important to provide energy to our customers, there is no occupation worth risking the safety of an individual employee.

Prior to 2005, results for our regional utilities, as compiled by the Southeastern Electric Exchange (a non-profit trade association of more than 20 investor-owned electric utilities) indicated subpar safety performance. To reach top quartile rankings, we increased emphasis on safety in 2005 through a program called Target Zero. During 2005 and 2006 we reduced our Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable injury incidence rate by 49%. This improvement represents a 50% reduction in the number of recordable injuries and a 61% reduction in the number of injuries resulting in lost workdays.

Target Zero
No one ever plans to get injured at work. Target Zero challenges the attitude that accidents are inevitable and acceptable, replacing it with the expectation that every day, every job can be accomplished safely. Zero may seem like an unrealistic goal but most of our employees work their entire careers without sustaining an occupational injury. We have numerous work groups that work years without a crew member sustaining an injury. Zero reflects a real and achievable personal, and therefore organizational, goal.

Target Zero emphasizes starting any job with safety in mind. We identify hazards and determine how to avoid them. We go over safety details with all employees who will perform the work. While working, we watch out for each other and start corrective actions if we see unsafe conditions.

OSHA Recordable Incidence Rate Click to enlarge and view as PDF. (Online charts updated through 2006.)

Lost Workday Case Incidence Rate - Click to enlarge and view as PDF. (Online charts updated through 2006.)