PGE’s safety focus reduces costs
May is national Electrical Safety month. But at PGE, safety is a priority every day. With live power lines, spinning turbines and large trucks, the electricity industry is inherently risky. By focusing on safety, we minimize those risks, which protects workers, saves lives and reduces costs.
“Our safety focus helps control costs related to injuries, workers’ compensation, repairs, insurance, fines and lost production and productivity,” says Cindi Devich, manager of PGE Safety and Health Resources.
PGE has embraced several initiatives to strengthen existing safety programs. We adopted the SAFESTARTTM training program three years ago that teaches employees to eliminate factors that contribute to accidents, such as rushing, fatigue and complacency. “SAFESTART helps us analyze close calls to identify patterns that increase risk,” says Larry Melzer, PGE safety coordinator for our southern region.
On the generation side, all of our plants that have been in operation for at least a year have earned certification in Oregon Occupation Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). An employee-driven program, SHARP is designed to continuously improve health and safety practices. In addition, four of our plants are working on the next step up, Oregon OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program, which recognizes facilities meeting elite safety standards.
Our commitment to safety is paying off. In 2007, work-related injuries or illnesses at PGE dropped to the lowest number in six years.
In a 2007 industry benchmark rating related to workplace injuries, PGE scored better than similar companies. This reduced our payroll assessment fee to the State of Oregon.
PGE works closely with customers on safety issues.
A number of larger companies have their own electrical switchgear. “We sit down with them and review safety procedures, so they can communicate with PGE when switching is going on,” says Rick Beeks, general foreman at our Western Line Crew Center. This prevents system damage and back feeding that could endanger PGE crews. Our safety consultants also work with customers on safety training and hazard awareness. Ask your PGE representative.
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