Corn Belt Energy receives statewide safety award

[February 10, 2017]  BLOOMINGTON - Thursday, February 9, 2017 – Corn Belt Energy Corporation was one of six co-ops in the state awarded a safety leadership award at the 2017 Association of Illinois Electric Cooperative’s (AIEC) Safety Supervisory Technical Conference held at the Decatur Hotel & Conference Center January 31, and February 1-2.

In the past, safety awards were given based on the lowest number of lost time accidents. Based on recommendations from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), these awards are now presented more on proactive safety practices that improve the safety culture within the cooperative.

“The award is based on adopting best practices, not just a low number of lost time accidents,” says Jim Miles, Manager of Safety and Loss Control for the AIEC. “The idea is to encourage sharing of near miss incidents, engage all employees and improve the safety culture by rewarding what is being done right; not penalizing when a lost time accident happens. These co-ops were judged to be following those best practices and proactively improving their safety culture.”

Accepting the safety award for Corn Belt Energy are, from left: Ryan Campbell, Scott Farmer, Daren Deverman, Steve Rosenthal, John Lee, Adam Shenaut, and Aaron Runyon.

About Corn Belt Energy

Started in 1938 to bring electricity to rural Central Illinois, Corn Belt Energy Corporation now distributes electricity to over 35,000 households and businesses throughout 18 counties. One of the largest cooperatives in Illinois, Corn Belt Energy employs 85 people, maintains over 5,000 miles of line, and distributes electricity from the Wabash Valley Power Association, a generation and transmission cooperative based in Indiana. As a not-for-profit energy cooperative, Corn Belt Energy is owned by the members it serves and is committed to providing reliable, affordable energy. Governed by 13 directors who are themselves residential members, Corn Belt also supports energy efficiency, education, and safety initiatives. Learn more at www.cornbeltenergy.com. 

[Hillary
Hillary Cherry, CCC
Director of Communications
Corn Belt Energy Corporation]