COLUMBUS, OH: American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) and several Member utilities were recognized for excellence in safety at the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) 2024 Engineering & Operations Technical Conference, which took place April 7-10 in New Orleans.

“We are pleased so many AMP Members and AMP staff are recognized for their commitment to safety,” said Jolene Thompson, AMP President/CEO. “Utilities that receive an APPA Safety Award demonstrate that the health and safety of their employees is a core value. Congratulations to our Member communities and to AMP staff for recognition of their steadfast efforts to maintain safe operations.”

The APPA Safety Award of Excellence recognizes utilities for their safety practices (demonstrated by having the lowest safety incident rate within groups), determined by worker-hours of exposure. The following AMP and Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) Members received awards:

• Berlin Electric Utility Department (Md.): Diamond in Group B (15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Coldwater Board of Public Utilities: Gold in Group C (30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Columbus, Division of Power: Diamond in Group E (110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Seaford Electric Department (DEMEC): Diamond in Group B (15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Hillsdale Board of Public Utilities: Diamond in Group C (30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Lewes Board of Public Works (DEMEC): Diamond in Group A (<15,000 worker-hours of exposure)
• City of Marshall Electric Department: Diamond in Group A (<15,000 worker-hours of exposure)
• Orrville Utilities: Gold in Group D (60,000 to 109,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Paducah Power System: Diamond in Group E (110,000 to 249,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Princeton Electric Plant Board: Diamond in Group B (15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Shelby Division of Electricity & Communication: Diamond in Group B (15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• St. Clairsville Light & Power: Diamond in Group B (15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Village of Versailles Utilities: Diamond in Group B (15,000 to 29,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Wadsworth Electric Department: Diamond in Group C (30,000 to 59,999 worker-hours of exposure)
• Village of Yellow Springs Electric Distribution: Diamond in Group A (<15,000 worker-hours of exposure)

AMP’s Diamond Safety Award of Excellence, APPA’s highest safety award, recognizes the hydroelectric operations staff, AMP Fremont Energy Center staff, generation operations staff and other field staff.

“We work hard at AMP to keep safety top of mind for our own employees, and it is encouraging to see so many of our Members recognized for prioritizing a safety workplace and building a strong culture of safety,” said Michelle Palmer, AMP Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance. “Congratulations to our Members and to the AMP staff for being recognized with APPA Safety Awards for their outstanding efforts in this area.”

According to APPA, more than 160 utilities from across the country entered the annual Safety Awards, and 145 earned the Safety Award of Excellence. Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records and overall state of their safety programs and culture during 2023. The incidence rate, used to judge entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2023, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

For a full list of utilities honored with an Excellence in Safety Award, visit: www.publicpower.org/about/members/safety/safety-award-winners.