Jackson Purchase Employees Awarded for Safety

Employees of Jackson Purchase Energy were treated to lunch Tuesday, and were awarded by the Commonwealth for their safety record.

President and CEO of Jackson Purchase Energy, G. Kelly Nuckols, commended the staff and linemen for 493,132 hours of work without a lost-time accident or illness. This is their second recognition for safety - they also got an award in November 2013 - since their last injury or illness on the job was February 23, 2011.

Nuckols told those gathered that this award shows that they pay attention to details, whether it's in how they handle company expenses or how they work on the lines.

"The little things add up to the big things, and that's where we are today, both as a company financially, and as a company from our safety standpoint," Nuckols said.

He said the electric cooperative is seeing the benefits of money they have spent on employee training.

Nuckols said, "It would probably surprise you when we add up all of those dollars in training. But it's an investment, it's an investment in each one of us here that pays dividends back, first and foremost because you are able to sit here today and have this lunch, and accept this award."

Department of Workplace Standards Commissioner Anthony Russell with the Kentucky Labor Cabinet presented the award to the company, which has 73 employees. He said their pursuit of excellence makes them part of an elite group receiving this honor from the state.

"There's about 117,000 facilities in this state that can qualify for this award. In the last year, you are one of just sixty-five," Russell said.

Russell reminded employees that 4 out of 100 employees each year had a workplace injury last year, but, "zero is the goal," and JPEC was definitely doing their part.

Representatives from the IBEW Local 816 were also on hand to participate.