SMPA Achieves Superior Workplace Safety Score
SMPA Lineman Claude Barrett works to replace a crossarm on a power pole over Red Mountain Pass. Photo courtesy of San Miguel Power Association.
A Colorado electric utility workplace safety review panel has awarded San Miguel Power Association high marks for its superior practices and internal culture of safety. The SMPA safety team presented these results to the Board of Directors at its November 28, 2017 regular monthly meeting at the SMPA Ridgway center.
The evaluation panel from other Colorado electric cooperative associations conducted a formal assessment at SMPA earlier in 2017. This "Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program" (RESAP) review is conducted on a three-year cycle.
The SMPA safety team presented charts comparing 2014 and 2017 results. The 2017 RESAP score showed significant improvement.
Colorado Rural Electric Association (CREA) administers RESAP. CREA's website describes RESAP:
The Safety Improvement Plan is a disciplined continuous improvement plan based upon the needs of the co-op, evaluated and assessed annually.
To begin the process a “Formal Leadership Commitment” must be documented with;
1. A Board Resolution adopting a leadership commitment to the participation in the RESAP, acknowledging a high value in taking proactive steps in improving and maintaining a safe environment for employees and members.
2. A CEO/GM adopting the “Five Guiding Principles, completing the Formal 3-Year Assessment, developing an Annual Safety Improvement Plan (SIP), committing to ongoing training and an annual performance assessment update of the SIP.
. . . At the end of the 3-year period . . . an Observation Team from other cooperatives will complete the formal assessment . . . .
The Annual Safety Improvement Plan is built upon a platform focusing on areas most in need of improvement.
Engages all levels of leadership and employees in taking “ownership” of the safety systems and processes.
Promotes safety committee involvement in assessing current work practices and past performance including analysis of trailing indicators and incident investigation. Helps establish goals and standards.
Built using resources including but not limited to; best practices, benchmarks and standards on the national and statewide levels. . .