Clarksburg, W.Va. — Obtaining the highest honor in safety from the American Gas Association (AGA), Dominion Energy Transmission Inc. (DETI), Dominion Energy West Virginia (DEWV) and Dominion Energy South Carolina (DESC) received industry awards for outstanding commitment to safety in their respective company categories.
The selection is based on criteria involving professional and personal commitment and dedication to improving the operations and engineering sectors of the natural gas industry through safety, accident prevention, research and active AGA committee and event participation.
“Employees at natural gas utilities throughout the nation go to work each day with the sole purpose of keeping their customers and communities safe while delivering essential energy,” Lori Traweek, chief operating officer for the American Gas Association said. “AGA’s annual Safety Awards honor those who embody the dedication and professionalism that is the hallmark of our industry. Our award recipients have demonstrated, to an exemplary degree, the commitment to enhancing safety that is a core value for all of America’s natural gas utilities.”
“DETI president, Brian Sheppard, accredits this safety award shared by the 1300 transmission team members in six states to proactive, area safety. They are the driving influence behind this achievement through the implementation of engaging programs that carry safety into the core of everything we do. This localized approach is what sets us apart in our industry as individuals take ownership and pride in our world class safety program.”
Created in 2010, eight DETI and DEWV area safety teams share a common goal to create a safe, injury free workplace. Efforts include the creation of Dominion Energy Safety Days where subject matter experts bring resources and knowledge together in a carnival style event, transparent communication across the company to share safety lessons learned, and monthly topical safety applications.
Since its creation, safety has improved 75% as employees embrace this culture to send every person home safe and sound, every day.
Leading more than 200 employees in 35 W.Va. counties, DEWV’s director of gas operations, Jonell Carver, also recognizes the value of this localized approach and commends her team’s steadfast focus on safety.
“Our employees have taken ownership of workplace safety. It is our culture to encourage input as we work together safely, and we recently celebrated two years free of any OSHA recordable events as a result of our vigilance to be accident free,” Carver said.
Craig Bradford President UGWU Local 69 shares his support saying, “It is with the upmost pride and gratitude that I congratulate the UGWU Local 69 membership and Dominion Energy for their outstanding safety record in 2018. This was a collaborative effort between the highly trained, professional union membership, Dominion Energy’s leadership and the perseverance of the area safety teams.”
