POWERGRAMS

SAFETY Photos by Bill Snow Bentley signed bill that is effective July 1. New utility worker law heralded for being among strongest in the nation Security Manager Randy Mayfield, Riggins, Shelton, Reed and Executive Vice President Zeke Smith joined Bentley for the signing outside the Capitol. A labama Gov. Robert Bentley has signed legislation into law that expands the protection of utility workers from threats while on the job. The bill approved by the Legislature and supported by Alabama Power was sponsored by Sen. Greg Reed of Jasper. It amends the misdemeanor penalty for criminal tampering to make it a felony to threaten a utility worker with a weapon with the intent to obstruct operations. Prior to the new law, it was a crime only if a person intentionally caused substantial interruption or impairment of service. "We now have some of the strongest utility worker protection laws of any state," said Casey Shelton, business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) System Council U-19. "It's going to protect everyone in the utility industry." Utility workers have come under greater threat as the economy has worsened, Shelton said, leading to attacks across the nation. The IBEW legislative committee of Kennith Fine, J.R. Shirley, Greg Daniels, Bill Smith and Mike Walker worked closely with Governmental Relations Vice President Quentin Riggins and his staff to gain support in the Legislature for greater protection. "It is one of the best examples of the IBEW and management working together for a common goal," Shelton said. "It wasn't an issue just affecting the Brotherhood. It was an effort to help all employees at Alabama Power, and it ultimately makes it safer PAGE 6 for all employees working for the gas, phone and cable companies, and municipalities." Reed said recent examples of Alabama utility workers being threatened include a customer who pointed a gun in the chest of a foreman as his crew was attempting to replace a transformer. The assailant threatened to "drop" the foreman if the crew did not leave. In another incident, a customer shot his gun in the air while utility workers were performing their duties. "Utility workers provide a vital service to the people and businesses of this state on a daily basis, and there's no excuse for them to be threatened while carrying out their official duties," Reed said. "In the past year, I've been made aware of 12 incidents involving the threatening of a utility worker while performing their job. I am proud to have sponsored this legislation and I appreciate Gov. Bentley signing it into law." The new law in effect July 1 only applies if the employee is working under the procedures of the company and has identified himself when asked, by stating name, employer and purpose of work. "I can't say enough about what Quentin Riggins' group did to help get this law passed," Shelton said.

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