T ommy Briggs, Plant Lowman Heavy Equipment Operator, said working safely is not a choice – it’s a must. “If you get hurt, you hurt more than yourself,” Briggs said. “Your family suffers, too. Working safely is just the best thing to do.”

LEROY, ALA. — PowerSouth employees at Plant Lowman were recognized May 20 for a company-wide achievement of one year with no lost-time accidents.

The safety milestone, reached at 12:01 a.m. on March 6, represents more than 1.1 million safe working hours by more than 500 employees.

Plant workers have some of the most dangerous jobs at PowerSouth, as they frequently work around live electricity in less-than-optimal conditions.

Achieving a year with no lost-time accidents illustrates the enormous degree of safety dedication they show each day. 

“This safety recognition is especially rewarding to me and the plant staff because of the amount of construction we have had going on with the Air Quality Control Project,” said Henry Ott, Lowman Plant Manager. “At one time we had over 400 contract workers on the plant site, not to mention our 180-plus employees. An increase of construction workers and activity increases the possibility of a lost-time accident.”

Plant Lowman’s safety team holds monthly safety meetings for every employee and makes routine daily walk-throughs to ensure the safety of each employee and that each employee is following safety guidelines and procedures.

Ott said the large number of long-time plant employees serve as mentors for the younger employees.

“A safety program is important for one reason, and that is to protect each person's health and to make sure they go home the same way they got to work,” he said. “It's that simple.”

A good safety record is important for PowerSouth, as accidents affect insurance and workers compensations rates, as well as productivity and overall cost. Because of excellent safety standards, PowerSouth was able to save $28,000 this year.

“I congratulate you for this safety milestone,” said Gary Smith, President and CEO of PowerSouth. “However, I have a challenge for you, and that is to complete another full calendar year without a lost-time accident.”

Smith added that he was confident the goal could be accomplished because of the on-going safety awareness and training provided by the safety team.

“This is not our safety program -- it's your safety program, and you should be proud of your record,” Smith said.

PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is a $1.3 billion generation and transmission cooperative that serves the wholesale energy needs of 16 electric cooperatives and four municipal electric systems in Alabama and northwest Florida. PowerSouth’s service territory spans 39 Alabama counties and 10 Florida counties. Owned and governed by those it serves, PowerSouth is dedicated to providing reliable and economical energy to meet the needs of nearly 800,000 consumers. Continuing a 66-year tradition of reliability and service to its members, PowerSouth remains a trusted energy provider for those it serves.

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For more information, contact
Mark Ingram, Corporate Communication Manager
334-427-3330   |   mark.ingram@powersouth.com
www.powersouth.com

PowerSouth is an EEO and AAP employer