POWERGRAMS

New equipment makes GSC workers safer, more efficient Sparks and beeps may not be the typical signatures of efficiency, but that's exactly what they represent at the Alabama Power General Shops' Steel Shop in Shelby County. The sparks flying are from the new plate burner that took what had been a time- consuming, four-step process to fabricate steel parts and turned it into a one-man, push-button operation. The burn table paid for itself within four months and saves the company $750,000 per year in man hours and work that previously had to be contracted. The beeping at the Steel Shop comes from the latest forklift. Unlike others, the Combilift forklift can approach and carry loads sideways, a major benefit when dealing with loads of long rebar, pipe and steel beams used in the General Shops. With a traditional forklift, those types of loads have to be drug out of their bins, aligned properly on the ground and then lifted and carried to where the materials are needed. Then comes the challenge of maneuvering such loads through narrow doorways and tight places within the shops. Because it can move sideways, the Combilift is more efficient and safer to operate. Engineer Team Leader Danica Connell said it's important to always look at ways to operate more efficiently. Connell said after seeing new equipment used by contractors, General Shops employees wondered what might be available to lower costs and increase efficiency at the General Services Complex. "We started asking questions and finding those new pieces of equipment that could make a real impact in both dollars and safety," Connell said. A General Shops panel of mechanics, a specialist, Connell and Repair Shop Foreman Mike Ellison evaluated potential equipment purchases and agreed the two that made the most sense were the burn table and the Combilift. "We liked the forklift because it not only had the efficiency component, but it also had a very real safety component and that's something we're always mindful of in the shops," Connell said. "That piece of equipment killed two birds with one stone." Once the panel agreed, Connell put together a formal presentation for the new equipment and demonstrated the savings and safety components to those who would approve the purchases. Ellison said the burn table has been a great addition because it can be used to cut metal for multiple shops within the company. He said workers in the General Shops are also getting trained on new equipment, broadening their skill sets. "They get to see and do something different, which is always nice," he said. By Mike Tomberlin ENERGY EFFICIENCY 3 Employees use new burn table to cut steel parts, save money. Steel Shop Mechanic David Nunn sets machine to cut steel plate. Photos by Nik Layman

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