POWERGRAMS

6 Standing are Ron Gore, Jason Autrey, Zack Scarbrough, Darriel Wilson, Turnbloom, Nix and Matt Eaves; seated are Matt Wilson, Bryan Elkins and Gray. It's 6 a.m. and crew call for Birmingham South Substation TMC. For the outside observer, their teamwork and camaraderie is distinctive. The crew begins discussing the day's work plan and making sure everyone is on the same page about maintaining Alabama Power's high-voltage equipment. While many regard electric power as a modern convenience, it is a far different story for those who do the work to keep the lights on. These highly skilled, dedicated workers help ensure Alabama Power delivers dependable, reliable service each day as they perform maintenance and repairs on equipment ranging from 12,000 to 500,000 volts. "What we do every day is dangerous," said Foreman Anthony Nix. Peering over his glasses, he reiterates, "Very … dangerous." For this crew, preparation makes all the difference; each member takes responsibility for himself and his teammates. "I don't want to have to go to any of these guy's family and say, 'I knew they were doing (something incorrectly), and I didn't do anything about it,'" said Nix. "That's why we spend that time around the table to talk through and make sure they have the equipment, tools and things they need to do their job safely." Their job is physically demanding, so part of the preparation is making sure they're in good condition to meet those demands. The crew says they have found tremendous benefits from the companywide stretching program. Every morning possible, they participate in a routine of dynamic stretching led by Electrical and Wiring Journeyman Barry Turnbloom. "When done consistently, dynamic stretching can improve flexibility, circulation, coordination and even increase strength and endurance," said Cindy Harmon, Alabama Power's wellness coordinator. "It's been good for us," said Nix. "It was rolled out from management about two years ago, but then the crew kind of caught on to it." "You can't argue with feeling better," Electrical and Wiring Journeyman Steven Gray chimed in. "If you would have been here the first day we started this – when we came in the second day, we were so sore we couldn't move." The crew breaks out in laughter, remembering how tight their muscles were the first time they stretched. "We could hardly walk," Nix said, laughing. Once the crew got used to it, stretching became part of their daily routine. Nix said he notices the benefits are more than just physical. "I've seen them laugh more than when I first got here. It's done a lot for the continuity of the group." Nix adds, "When you see us talking and stretching in the morning time – that's a lot of time out of our busy schedule, but I think it's important for us to make sure our crew gleans everything they can for the job they do every day." That's not the only motivation. "Then the (Empowered Rewards) points they get, with those gift cards to the Bass Pro Shop. It's right down Turnbloom's alley to use those points," said Nix. "Everybody was like, 'You got a $100 gift card!' And you know, when you do your physical, you get the 3,500 points. So, there are a lot of benefits to doing this." "It's a great team builder," Nix said. To learn more about the voluntary at-work stretching program, call the Empowered Health team at 205-257-4163 or visit empoweredrewards.com. By Portia Williams No Stretch of the Imagination HEALTH & WELLNESS CREW EXERCISES BEFORE HEADING OUT FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE JOB Scarbrough stretches during daily exercise routine.

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