Message From the CEO

“Safety” is a word that’s mentioned often and used loosely. Communities large and small, as well as companies across all industries, state that they are committed to safety. Sports leagues at every level declare that they take safety seriously. Unfortunately, when it really counts, steps to keep the public, workers, athletes, and our loved ones safe are often ignored in the interest of expediency or convenience.

However, safety is a serious issue, especially when it comes to electrical safety. At East-Central Iowa REC, safety is our number-one priority. That is not empty talk. Over time, ECI REC has created a culture in which we place the safety of our employees and our communities above all else.

Our Mission, Vision, and Goals

At its core, ECI REC’s mission is to provide safe, affordable, and reliable electricity to our members. As we strive to deliver affordable and reliable electricity, it is equally important to us that our team members return home safely to their loved ones every day. Accomplishing this mission requires ongoing focus, dedication, and vigilance. That’s why “Promote Safe Culture” is one of the seven initiatives your Board of Directors approved for ECI REC’s strategic plan document.

Here is our vision: “Improve ECI REC’s safety culture via improved safety programs and employee communications.” Below are the goals and action items the ECI REC management team and Board of Directors included in our 2021–2022 strategic initiatives:

• Evaluate and introduce a wellness component. To achieve this goal, we have started holding quarterly wellness events.
• Monitor and guide safety culture consistency between all locations. There will be ongoing manager outreach to each location, and we will continue monthly joint safety meetings.
• Enhance our safety culture by upgrading our current safety curriculum to IAEC’s Safety Gold Program. This program includes nine onsite training events and three jobsite visits throughout the year. We will further enhance our safety culture by:
  • Implementing two annual onsite safety inspections conducted by our insurance provider, Federated.
  • Encouraging a Board member to attend two all-employee safety meetings per year.
  • Holding quarterly Safety Committee meetings.
  • Updating ECI REC’s emergency response document.

Our Commitment to Employee Safety

Working with electricity is an inherently dangerous job, especially for lineworkers. ECI REC has established safety protocols based on leading national safety standards and practices for the utility industry. Our lineworkers follow specific protocols when dealing with electricity and are required to wear specialized equipment when working next to or with power lines.

Our Safety Committee focuses on keeping employees and the community safe around electricity. The committee meets regularly to discuss upcoming projects from a safety perspective. It also monitors and tracks accident near-misses to understand what happened and share any lessons that will help the Cooperative improve in the future.

Just as important, we encourage all our crews to speak up and hold each other accountable for safety. By cultivating a culture of openness and transparency, we promote problem-solving and not a blame game. We examine the information and data gleaned from near-misses and accident reports to discern patterns and use safety metrics to improve in areas where we have fallen short. As appropriate, we brief contractors on our safety protocols and set expectations for their engagement.

Our Commitment to Community Safety

Because we live and work in the communities we serve, we care about our neighbors. ECI REC conducts electrical safety demonstrations in schools and for community events. When asked, we also present at public authority events on special topics like disaster recovery and general electrical safety.

Each year, thousands of people in the United States are critically injured and electrocuted as a result of electrical fires, accidents, and electrocution in their own homes. Many of these accidents are preventable. There is much you can do to keep yourself and your community safe around electricity. Here are just a few tips:

• Don’t attempt electrical DIY projects.
• Don’t overload your outlets.
• Report downed power lines, unlocked substations, or pad-mount transformers that look amiss.

The ECI REC team is your resource for additional electrical safety tips. If you would like us to provide a safety demonstration at your school or community event, please call 877-850-4343 or email memberservices@ecirec.coop. Remember to always be mindful when it comes to electricity—take the time to plug into safety!