Success Stories for Indiana
Safety inspection earns highest G&T score: A comprehensive safety inspection of Hoosier Energy Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Hoosier Energy) (IN-106), Bloomington, Indiana, facilities last month resulted in the highest on-site inspection score achieved by a generation and transmission cooperative.
The Rural Electric Safety Accreditation Program (RESAP) is designed to promote safety and loss control by electric cooperatives. The program includes a rigorous peer-review audit of participants' work sites and facilities.
Hoosier Energy received a score of 94 out of a possible 100 points during the inspection in late February and early March by a team of safety professionals.
"I was encouraged by comments inspection team members made to me during our closing meeting," said Hoosier Energy Chief Executive Officer Steve Smith. "Several team members have participated in each of our inspections over the past four years and they noted significant improvements in many areas. Perhaps even more significantly, they reported on improved safety attitudes, knowledge and awareness by individual employees who were interviewed."
RESAP is an ongoing process that also includes a thorough review of Hoosier Energy's safety policies and procedures every three years. Hoosier Energy was re-accredited last year through 2008.
"Participating in RESAP over the past decade has helped us to focus our safety efforts and promote awareness among employees," said Brad Hyland, manager of safety and training. "Hoosier Energy has a strong corporate commitment to safety. The accreditation process provides an unbiased review that helps us to stay up-to-date and on track."
Electric cooperatives strive to promote a culture of safety through strong management support that makes safety a top-level priority. Employees are expected to accept responsibility for safe work practices and be accountable.
"A culture of safety requires the commitment of each and every employee, each and every day, to make safety the first consideration," Hyland said. "It means safety is ingrained in the fabric of your workplace so it becomes a natural part of everyone's daily routine."
More than 470 electric cooperatives participate in the RESAP program.
May 2006