Horizon Utilities Achieves One Million Hours Safety Milestone
HAMILTON and ST. CATHARINES, ON,
"Our number one priority in delivering a reliable supply of electricity to our customers is to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, contractors and everyone in the communities we serve," says Max Cananzi, President and CEO of Horizon Utilities Corporation. "To achieve this milestone in safety, it is clear to me that every single one of our well-trained and conscientious employees has made a personal commitment to take responsibility for working safely seriously."
"I am proud of our employees' continued success in safety," says Cananzi. "While reaching one million hours without a lost time incident is commendable, our goal remains the same as it has always been - zero incidents. Working safely means that our employees go home safely to their families each and every day. Nothing is more important than that."
Horizon Utilities employees work in offices, on construction sites, and outdoors on the streets of Hamilton and St. Catharines. Each environment exposes employees to a unique set of risks. Working in adverse weather conditions responding to power outages only adds to the challenge of ensuring worker safety.
The company follows best practices in safety by making it an integral part of the company's day-to-day processes. "For example, every morning, our crews start off by attending a tailboard meeting where all aspects of the day's work are discussed," explains Cananzi. "Personal protective equipment, safe work practices, and traffic control procedures are a key part of these discussions."
At the core of Horizon Utilities' safety culture lies a comprehensive health and safety management system which ensures the company operates in accordance with current legislation and company policy, effectively assesses and controls risks, and includes the reporting of all safety incidents. "We pay particular attention to near misses," says Cananzi. "Over the years, the careful investigation of near misses has provided us with valuable learnings and the opportunity to eliminate hazards."
Horizon Utilities extends its commitment to safety beyond the work environment into the communities it serves. In 2009, the company provided electrical safety training for 11,500 elementary school students attending 50 schools in Hamilton and St. Catharines. During these sessions, children from Kindergarten to Grade 8 learn about the hazards posed by outlets, appliances, substations, transformers, hydro poles, and overhead electrical wires.
Horizon Utilities Corporation is one of the largest municipally owned electricity distribution companies in Ontario, providing electricity and related utility services to more than 230,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Hamilton and St. Catharines. Horizon Utilities' employees are committed to delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, providing unparalleled customer value, and helping to create a culture of energy conservation in Ontario.
For further information: For further information: visit www.horizonutilities.com or contact: Sandy Manners, Director, Corporate Communications, Horizon Utilities Corporation, Tel: (905) 317-4707, Cell: (905) 308-1473, Email: [email protected]
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