News from May 2024
May 2024 Cooperative Safety Highlight - Hancock-Wood Electric
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
In the latest May 2024 issue of SAFELINES, the spotlight is on Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative and their innovative safety practices. The Cooperative Safety Highlight features a unique storage cart designed by Clint Patterson, aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in the workplace.The storage cart, crafted to hold materials and tools for framing poles in the shop, was a collaborative effort with input from various team members. These mobile carts play a crucial role in the organization, with around 90% of poles being framed in the shop before the crew heads out. This...
Ohio Electric Cooperatives Shift Focus to Managing Processes Safely
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
Ohio's electric cooperatives are undergoing a significant transformation in their approach to risk assessment and safety management. In a recent article for RE Magazine, Dwight Miller, a prominent figure in the industry, shared insights on the evolution of risk assessment practices within the cooperative sector.Miller highlighted the shift from traditional safety management programs to a more holistic approach of "managing processes safely." He emphasized the importance of integrating safety as a core value in every aspect of cooperative operations, stating, "In managing...
ELDT (Entry-Level Driver Training) May 2024 Update
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
A total of 15 Ohio lineworkers have completed OEC’s ELDT program and now possess their CDLs, with an unknown speaker expressing, "That’s great news and it now appears to be slowing down a little bit."However, there have been some challenges encountered by two cooperatives in Ohio regarding the free theory course offered by the state, as mentioned by another unidentified speaker, "Please be aware that there have been issues for two cooperatives with the free theory course that the state of Ohio offers, and we had to do a workaround in order to get the students proper...
Central Ohio Lineworker Training Program Prepares for Busy Year in 2024
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
Central Ohio Lineworker Training Program (COLT) is gearing up for a busy year ahead as it continues to provide essential training opportunities for lineworkers. The program's schedule for the year is filled with various educational activities aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of its participants.According to a recent update, COLT has seen enrollment from both apprentices and new hire students. A spokesperson for COLT stated, "This spring, 11 apprentices were enrolled and completed their COLT 1000/1050 classes, and we currently have 13 new hire students scheduled...
Culture of Safety Strategy Lab Update: May 2024
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
In the latest update on the Culture of Safety Strategy Lab for May 2024, various key points were discussed and analyzed. The focus has been on identifying areas for improvement at the statewide level. According to the report, five high-level items have been pinpointed as in need of attention.The first area highlighted is in-house safety meetings or safety discussions, with an estimated current effectiveness of 30%. Incident reporting and analysis follow closely behind, with estimated current reporting at 25% and analysis at 10%. In-house crew observations were noted to...
Safety Throwback - Looking Back at COLT Cohort 3 EUT-1100 from June 2006
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
In this issue’s Safety Throwback, we take a look back at COLT Cohort 3 EUT-1100, their basic underground class in June of 2006. The picture from the class features familiar faces, including Dave Byers from The Energy Cooperative, Chris Host from Carroll Electric Cooperative, Chad Shumaker from Frontier Power Company, Rob Campbell from Carroll Electric Cooperative, Ray Brunner from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative, and Derk Beckett also from Butler Rural Electric Cooperative.According to the information provided, four individuals in the photo are still employed at the...
Pollinator Garden Donation Compliments JCP&L’s Tree Donation Efforts
By Ohio Energy Reporter | May 1, 2024
A new pollinator garden has been established in Monmouth County, providing a safe haven for essential animals and insects crucial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. The garden, donated by FirstEnergy, was planted at Howell’s Aldrich Elementary School by volunteers from Jersey Central Power & Light’s (JCP&L) Green Team on April 12. The initiative aims to not only support pollinator populations but also serve as an educational resource for the community.Ray Vender, Advanced Forestry Specialist at FirstEnergy and chair of JCP&L’s Green Team, expressed the importance of...