Each year, operations personnel from electric cooperatives across North Dakota gather in Mandan for a three-day, safety focused conference known as the Apprenticeship, Training and Safety Conference.
Safety is the top priority for electric cooperatives as well as for the members and communities they serve. Cooperative employees took part in valuable training sessions, such as vehicle extraction, leadership and other workshops. Additionally, cooperatives are recognized for their dedication to safety.
This year, Roughrider Electric Cooperative received a certificate of safety achievement and a Safety Performance Award.
The certificate of safety achievement is awarded to cooperatives for successfully participating in the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program, known as RESAP. Last fall, Roughrider Electric received favorable marks in a RESAP onsite safety assessment. This program helps optimize safety practices across the cooperative.
Roughrider Electric also received the Safety Performance Award, which recognizes cooperatives for having zero OSHA recordable injuries during the past year. Roughrider Electric continues to analyze and improve safety plans for the wellbeing of employees and communities.
Additionally, lineworkers who have completed their apprentice lineworker training are recognized at the banquet. This year, 11 apprentice lineworkers earned their journeyman certificate, including Conner Kuntz. Kuntz has diligently worked to complete his apprenticeship program, while working alongside journeyman lineworkers at Roughrider Electric. The lineworker apprenticeship program requires apprentices to complete 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and a set of books which includes 40 tests.
We are proud of our employees’ dedication to safety at Roughrider Electric.