POWERGRAMS

TARGET ZERO Protection and Control (P&C) Field Services employees have taken the Target Zero "wheel" into their own hands. "We stress an employee- owned safety culture," said Manager Paul Midkiff. "Each employee takes responsibility every day for doing every task on every job the right way and the safe way." That commitment, said Midkiff, is the key that has helped P&C Field Services' 120 employees achieve a year-long spotless safety record. They won Alabama Power's prestigious Target Zero Gold Award, which honors large work groups that complete 365 days without a recordable injury or preventable vehicle accident. The organization's last preventable vehicle accident was Jan. 18, 2013 and the last recordable injury was Aug. 10, 2010. Jake Warnack attributes the success to the recent creation of a safety program headed by employees. A statewide organization, P&C Field Services provides technical expertise for the installation, operations and maintenance of all protective relaying and supervisory control and data acquisition automation equipment in Transmission and Distribution substations and lines. In 2012, Transmission put the operation and implementation of the safety program into the hands of work groups, allowing them to design strategies to meet their specific needs. Previously, Transmission Lines and Substations had worked together to coordinate and implement a departmentwide safety program. "Moving to a system where committees from each work group run their own safety program is one of the best things that has ever happened to us," said Warnack, West Jefferson P&C technician and chairman of the group's safety committee. "Now we have more input and can focus on issues and concerns related to our line of work." The 10-member committee has identified and resolved two possible "landmines," or close calls, and shared solutions with Transmission employees systemwide. The team led an effort to redesign improperly grounded substation yard light receptacle boxes and helped resolve a hazard that could be caused by levers at head level inside power circuit-breaker cabinets. "Taking ownership of our safety program has also given us the opportunity to design our job safety briefings to fit the type of work we do," said Warnack. "Although we talk about safety in general terms, we also incorporate human performance principles such as taking a timeout when things don't look right, assessing risk, being aware of your surroundings and identifying points of no return." As part of P&C Field Services' safety program, the committee put together toolkits designed to identify or barricade equipment. The kits are in all P&C vehicles to provide tools to keep employees safe and prevent injuries. Because P&C employees travel thousands of miles each year, there is a special focus on driving safety. Employees have taken an interactive driving course at the University of Montevallo and Smith System driver training programs. To help maintain their momentum, P&C Field Services launched two new initiatives in February. Employees received a home emergency kit containing safety information and resources, along with basic first aid supplies. Each month, families will receive handouts to add to their kits, building a "one-stop shop" for emergencies. As part of the second initiative, employees met "Rolofer the Dog," who hides bones under tires. Unless employees keep their eyes open while performing their vehicle safety circle walk, they may run over a bone placed by a co- worker. Rolofer then becomes the unsafe employee's passenger until another co-worker fails to notice the bone. "Ever since I've been in P&C Field Services, safety has been a top priority," said Chris Burroughs, P&C Field Services supervisor, safety committee sponsor and a 24-year veteran of Alabama Power. "Now we have a lot of young, energetic employees who are bringing their enthusiasm and fresh ideas to our safety program. They're not afraid to ask questions. They want to be safe, and they want to share how to be safe with others." Midkiff said P&C employees' enthusiasm and willingness to embrace Target Zero helped achieve their safety milestone. "I'm so proud of our employees," he said. "It takes everybody working together to reach this goal. It's a testament to their commitment to Target Zero." By Carla Davis P&C Field Services employees earn Gold Award for 1-year safety success 2 Protection and Control Technician Chad Cox and Test Engineer Erin Tate check automation equipment. Photos by bernard troncale Protection and Field Services employees spend a lot of time on the road providing their technical expertise. Photo by Bernard Troncale. Digital effects by Jay Parker. ON ThE COVER: Protection and Control Technician Jonathon Homan runs computer test.

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