9-25-15

The Habersham EMC Safety Review Committee proudly receives the cooperative’s safety accreditation certificate. The committee consists of HEMC employees Tony Adams (not pictured), Jeff Allen, Tracy Bridges (not pictured), Randy Coker, Angie English, Joe Morrison and Jason Rothell.

The Habersham EMC Safety Review Committee proudly receives the cooperative’s safety accreditation certificate. The committee consists of HEMC employees Tony Adams (not pictured), Jeff Allen, Tracy Bridges (not pictured), Randy Coker, Angie English, Joe Morrison and Jason Rothell.

(Clarkesville)  Habersham Electric Membership Corporation  recently received accreditation for its safety practices from the Electric Cooperative Safety Accreditation Program of Georgia. Jim Wright, Georgia EMC’s vice president of Training, Education & Safety said, the award is based on the utility’s safety record and safety programs over the last three years.  

“Georgia’s EMCs operate in a culture of safety, making sure they do everything possible to keep workers and members of the public safe,” says Wright. “Accreditation shows that a cooperative is doing all of the right things to stress safety on the job — regardless of where an employee works.” 

The accreditation process is comprised of two primary components: record keeping and a multi-day on-site visit.  The inspection process also includes criteria to determine whether the cooperative is keeping the public safe.

Observers inspect public rights of way, utility poles, and over-head and underground wiring to ensure that proper utility practices are being followed. 

Jonathan Cantrell, President/CEO of Habersham EMC says that safety is ingrained in the culture of the organization. “This award shows the commitment we make to safety,” says Cantrell. “We live it, we breathe it, and we practice it day in and day out to better serve our member-owners and our co-workers.”