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Workshops geared to distribution safety

The number of safety incidents for both Georgia Power and Customer Service Organization-Distribution has steadily decreased during the past several years. That is a trend the organization is working hard to continue into the future.

That message was delivered and discussed with the distribution supervisors across the state via a series of workshops in September and October. The workshops were held to reinforce the idea that safety should always be the top priority.

Two workshops were held in metro Atlanta, one in Statesboro, and one in Tifton. The six-hour workshops consisted of a series of breakout sessions that allowed distribution supervisors to meet in teams to discuss various aspects of safety. These topics included safety leadership, culture, accountability, values, and behaviors. The workshops also presented an excellent opportunity for the distribution supervisors to network and share best practices.

"When you have a workshop that is solely dedicated to the topic of safety, it shows the importance and commitment of management to the safety of our employees," said Chris Hackney, Metro West distribution supervisor, following the workshop at Noah's Ark headquarters. "It is always good to get together with your peers from around the state and discuss the successes and the opportunities we each have in our journey to the ultimate goal of Target Zero."

"We are holding these workshops to get the distribution supervisors to discuss how to instill a safe work culture among all employees and to reinforce management's emphasis on safety," said Russell Busch, Northwest distribution manager.

One of the key points made at each meeting was the emphasis placed on safety and the impact supervision has in shaping our safety culture. Safety is stressed during all group meetings, prior to starting a job, and while the job is in progress.

"I think everyone realizes that we are stressing the need to constantly stay focused on safety," said Chester Parker, East region distribution manager. "Our culture is about safety. If you don't work safely, no matter the outcome, the job cannot be considered a success."

"This was a great opportunity to share safe work methods and practices across regions," said Jimmy Jones, Northwest region distribution supervisor. "I understand the need to set high expectations relating to Target Zero, and to clearly communicate those safety expectations while holding ourselves and our team accountable."

This is the first time the distribution organization has held a distribution supervisor's workshop completely dedicated to safety. Busch said the idea to hold the workshops was prompted by several serious safety incidents earlier this year. Following these incidents, a joint distribution and safety and health team developed the Distribution Safety Initiative. These workshops were just one of the components.

During the Statesboro workshop, Anthony Wilson, distribution vice president, said he had a great deal of confidence in the men and women who make up the distribution organization.

"There is no reason why we can't continue to lower our incident rate by cutting our accidents in half from where they are today," said Wilson. "After that, we keep going until we reach zero. I am convinced we can do it. We have one of the most skilled, best trained workforces in the industry."

To achieve an accident-free workplace, Wilson put the onus on everyone in the distribution organization.

"We want to set the bar high for ourselves," said Wilson. "It is leadership's responsibility to promote and encourage a safe work environment. It's every employee's responsibility to make safety a personal value."