Special to IFN

Statesville Public Power has been recognized with the American Public Power Association’s (APPA) Safety Award of Excellence for its commitment to safe operating practices throughout 2024.

Statesville Public Power received the Diamond Award, the highest honor, in the category for utilities with 75,714 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.

More than 200 utilities across the country entered APPA’s annual Safety Awards competition. Entrants are categorized by worker hours and judged on the most incident-free records, as well as the overall quality of their safety programs and culture. The incidence rate is determined based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and total worker hours during the year, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Statesville Public Power is proud of our safety culture,” said Cody Leis, director of Statesville Public Power. “This award is a testament to the dedication of our team and the proactive measures we take to ensure every employee goes home safely at the end of the day.”

“Harnessing electricity to keep our communities powered is vital work that can be dangerous, even deadly, if the proper attention isn’t paid to tried-and-true safety practices,” said Jon Beasley, chair of APPA’s Safety Committee and Vice President of Electric Cities of Georgia. “This award honors utilities that hold fast to these practices and – in doing so – put the safety of their personnel and their customers above all else.”

The APPA has conducted the Safety Awards of Excellence for over 66 years. As the national organization representing not-for-profit, community-owned utilities, the APPA supports more than 2,000 cities and towns across the United States.