Worker Safety

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) recently honored 18 of its public power members for their continued commitment to safe work practices during the past year.

For the past 30 years, FMEA has recognized Florida public power utilities’ focus on worker safety as their top priority and their efforts to ensure crew safety. Utilities are placed into categories based on their total man-hours worked and rewarded for the most incident-free records. The incidence rate used to judge utilities was based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses compared to the total number of worker-hours during 2017, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Public power utilities are a part of the fabric of their communities. Their employees are family, friends and neighbors, so ensuring their safety while at work is of paramount importance to everyone. I commend each member recognized for making the safety of their crews their number one priority,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

The recognition reflects FMEA members’ commitment to protecting workers’ safety, while also ensuring reliable electric service to the customers. In an industry where serious injuries and fatalities are possible, safety training is a critical component to preventing accidents and saving lives.

Awards were presented on March 10 at the FMEA Annual Florida Lineman Competition Awards Banquet in Kissimmee.

The following utilities were presented with a Safety Award in their category:

Category A (0-59,999 man-hours):
City of Blountstown – perfect record
City of Bushnell – perfect record
Town of Havana – perfect record
City of Mount Dora – perfect record
City of Newberry – perfect record
City of Chattahoochee – 2nd place
City of Alachua – 3rd place

Category B (60,000-199,999 man-hours):
Utilities Commission of New Smyrna Beach – perfect record
Homestead Public Services – 2nd place
City of Leesburg – 3rd place

Category C (200,000-399,999 man-hours):
Keys Energy Services – 1st place
Ocala Electric Utility – 2nd place

Category D (400,000-949,999 man-hours):
Gainesville Regional Utilities – 1st place
City of Tallahassee – 2nd place
Kissimmee Utility Authority – 3rd place

Category E (950,000-2,499,999 man-hours):
Orlando Utilities Commission – 1st place
Lakeland Electric – 2nd place

Category G (2,500,000-greater man-hours):
JEA – special recognition

Florida’s public power utilities are locally owned, locally controlled and locally operated enabling them to quickly respond to the needs of their communities. They are also among some of the most affordable and reliable power providers in the state.

For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit publicpower.com.