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West Florida Electric Cooperative (WFEC) employees recently achieved a safety milestone that is something to celebrate - two years without a lost-time accident. 

“Our industry requires a wide range of skills and professionals to operate safely and efficiently. When we think of maintaining a strong safety record, the first thing that comes to mind is the danger of working on or near energized power lines. This isn’t just a 40-hour-a-week job, it often demands long hours and overtime to keep the lights on,” said Donnie Worley, Director, Safety and Loss Control.

Everything at WFEC centers around the safety of its employees and members. No matter the role a person has at the co-op, they play a role in safety. For instance, the radio dispatchers are instrumental in helping keep linemen safe. They ensure switching and tagging procedures are done and they keep accurate records. Dispatchers also organize and orchestrate power restoration efforts behind the scenes, making sure they know everyone’s location and where they are working. This helps ensure linemen stay safe by preventing overlapping job assignments and reducing the risk of accidental contact with energized lines or equipment.

Many other employees help achieve the co-op’s goal of keeping everyone safe. There are mechanics, warehouse workers, substation meter technicians, the employees of the engineering department, and other office personnel who support the co-op’s mission.

Did you know that slips, trips, and falls are the leading causes of workers’ compensation claims? These often happen to office workers. When any type of accident occurs, workers’ comp premiums can increase and the expense modifier goes up. This modifier is based on the number of accidents and the cost it takes to get an employee as close to full Major Medical Improvement as possible and back to work. When there are no accidents, the costs go down. This is a win for everyone, including our members.

“In addition to safety training for employees, West Florida Electric Cooperative is continuously raising awareness about electrical safety in the communities it serves by performing demonstrations at local schools, for emergency response teams and at community events,” said Worley. “There, we show members just how easy it is for an accident to occur when working with electricity and how to prevent these dangerous and sometimes deadly mishaps.”

The co-op’s publications, social media, and website are great resources for the public and our members to learn more about electrical safety.

“Our goal is to have no accidents. We strive every day to minimize these dangers by investing time and attention to safety measures and careful work practices,” said Worley.