Lineworker Safety is NO JOKE
Posted on January 30th, 2023
If you’re over a certain age, like myself, you might remember “The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo.” It was a popular animated series that featured a nearsighted Quincy Magoo who was often bumbling and stumbling around – comically running into things.
Mr. Magoo wouldn’t do well at the co-op in any position, especially as a lineworker because safety is not a joke. Safety is the TOP priority at First Electric. We have a safety program that is second to none. Countless hours are spent training employees to safely operate in their jobs. Field personnel, who have the most exposure, have weekly and monthly safety meetings. We do this because their career is dangerous. In fact, it’s listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs from numerous resources.
Devon Melbourne, safety and loss control supervisor at First Electric, has been on both sides of the job. He graduated from the lineworker apprenticeship program at ASU-Newport and started to work at First Electric in 2009. He was hired as the safety supervisor in 2014. Devon understands the significance of safety on the job because of his experience in linework. “Safety is a lifestyle at First Electric. We live and breathe it every day because of its importance,” Melbourne said.
However, safety isn’t just for field personnel like lineworkers, it also pertains to employees inside the co-op. They attend trainings to avoid and be prepared for hazards on the job and in daily life.
I’m proud of the program we have created and prouder yet of the lives that we protect daily because of the practices in place. We pray all employees are kept safe at our cooperative.
The Board of Directors and employees of First Electric extend our sincerest condolences to the family of Blake Rodgers. Blake was a lineworker at Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative who tragically lost his life while restoring power during a storm on Dec. 23 in Pedro, Ohio. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Rick Love
In Memorial: Blake Rodgers, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative