Hazard Control and leaders, ultimately putting the organization at risk for blind spots regarding safety.”
Part of the Southern Company family, Alabama Power serves 1.5 million customers across a 45,000-mile territory covering the lower two-thirds of the state. The utility maintains 86,000 miles of power lines with 5,800 owned assets at 14 main service centers staffed by 205 personnel, including 139 technicians and utility assistants.
For the past five years at Alabama Power, according to Johnson, a safety-first strategy built on three areas has been focused on reducing high energy risks.
Understanding Critical Risk Management and Controls
“ A critical risk exists when performing a job with high potential for serious injury or death due to a specific hazard that is basic to the work being performed,” Johnson related.“ These risk
“ We transitioned our mindset from a target zero culture, which bred non-reporting and mistrust, to one that focuses on critical risks and information sharing.”
Digger derrick radio controls are used to eliminate falls from the riding seat, arc flash from the use of lower controls and reduce hoisted load and line of fire risks.
areas were identified based on historical significant safety events known to our company, as well as other utilities performing similar work. We have identified 10 specific critical risk areas.
“ Understanding these specific risks, which have a known history of repeated serious injuries and fatalities, is powerful,” Johnson said.“ This approach ensures that job planning and execution are focused specifically on those critical factors that keep the job safe, rather than just aiming for a general aspiration of completing the job without injuries
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