Rural Missouri - May 2020 - 45

NRECA and Federated, which insures many of the nation's electric cooperatives, worked closely with statewide
associations in designing the program and developing its
suite of tools and materials.
Allan Branstetter, AMEC's director of risk management
and training, says the statewide training staff has incorporated Commitment to Zero Contacts into their presentations with a goal of promoting candid and open dialogue
about safety concerns.
"We can't stress enough the importance of job briefings
that promote safety conversations and training opportunities, especially with our newer crew members. We're seeing
that across the state," Allan says. "The practice is reinforcing our overall safety commitment, and it gives seasoned
lineworkers opportunities to promote safety and provide
leadership."
Corey said one facet of the Commitment to Zero Contacts initiative that's been a particular success is the Stop
and Focus Every Day (S.A.F.E.) app, a smartphone/tablet
program that walks crews through job-site briefings and
safety reporting.
"There are more than 250 electric co-op and public
power district systems using the S.A.F.E. app, submitting
an average of 15,500 job briefings and 500 job site observations each," he says. "This will definitely help mitigate
future risk."
Another popular tool of the Commitment to Zero Contacts program is challenge coins, which co-ops can customize with safety messages and hand
out to crews.
AMEC ordered about 1,800
coins and has distributed them
widely among operations personnel at its 47 member co-ops.
"One side says, 'Committed
to Zero Contacts,' and the other
side says, 'Committed for the
ones I love most!' " says Allan.
"Everybody wants to go home at
night, but this kind of shows you why
you want to take the extra time to be safe," says AMEC
safety instructor Bruce Stumpe. "And the coins are constant reminders. When you reach in your pocket, you feel
that."
For Bud Branham, NRECA's director of safety programs,
the ultimate goal of the program is for co-op employees to
adopt safe practices not just on the job but throughout
their lives.
"When people make a voluntary commitment to consistently apply life-saving rules, they begin to take personal
ownership," he says. "When you get folks to talk about
safety on the job, at home and in life, that means the message is getting through."
Left: AMEC's Tim Pirtle leads by example during an international
mission in Guatemala. Lineworkers strive to work safely wherever they
are. Top right: AMEC's Johnie Hendrix works with lineworkers during
a training course. Second from top: Lineworkers from SEMO Electric
all sign off on the course of action for an upcoming job, ensuring
everyone is on the same page. Above right: AMEC's Allan Branstetter
stresses safety during a conference in Jefferson City. Right: AMEC's
Craig Moeller conducts a training session for lineworkers.
MAY 2020 | RURALMISSOURI.COOP

May20_Safety.indd 2

4/9/20 9:11 AM

http://www.RURALMISSOURI.COOP

Rural Missouri - May 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Rural Missouri - May 2020