Receiving the award for Shelby Electric Cooperative, pictured left to right, Line Foreman Andy McDonald, Manager of HR & Compliance Diane Bunton, Operations Assistant Amy Peters, and Construction Superintendent Brian Chevalier.
Shelbyville, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Safety is paramount in the electric industry. To advance safety education and practices, lineworkers, supervisors and warehouse personnel from electric cooperatives across Illinois gathered in Springfield for the annual Safety and Energy Conference held Jan. 29-30. The event was hosted by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AIEC).
The conference emphasized the importance of safety and leadership in the energy industry, providing participants with training and resources to ensure their well-being on the job. Sessions included discussions on active leadership, staying focused and safe practices in the workplace.
During the conference, safety awards were presented to honor both individual and cooperative-wide commitments to fostering a safe work environment. Shelby Electric Cooperative was recognized for its outstanding safety performance over the past year, receiving 2024 awards for Best Loss Time Rate and Best Incident Rate. These awards underscore a cooperative’s dedication to maintaining a safe working environment, exceeding industry safety expectations, and cultivating a proactive safety culture.
The Best Loss Time Rate Award is given to the cooperatives with the lowest number of lost work time due to workplace injuries, relative to the number of hours worked. It reflects a cooperative’s effectiveness in preventing serious incidents that could keep employees off the job.
The Best Incident Rate Award recognizes the cooperatives with the lowest overall number of recordable workplace incidents, including minor injuries. It highlights a commitment to maintaining a consistently safe work environment for all employees.
As the electric industry continues to evolve, safety remains a top priority. It ensures that the workforce can continue to serve communities efficiently and without harm. The AIEC celebrates the electric cooperatives and individuals that prioritize safety, consistently demonstrate leadership in safe practices, and foster a strong safety culture.
Shelby Electric Cooperative (SEC) is a member of Touchstone Energy, a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service. SEC is committed to providing superior service based on four core principles: integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community. The co-op serves more than 10,000 meters over 2,214 miles of line in parts of Christian, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie, Sangamon and Shelby counties. For more information visit shelbyelectric.coop. Like the cooperative on Facebook, facebook.com/YourCoop or search Shelby Electric Cooperative.
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