From left: Planning Engineer Kyle Brown, Substation Control Engineer Nick Peaden, Director of Electric Systems Ken Wade, Assistant Director of Electric Systems Jacob Swink, Electric Distribution Engineer Doug Boone, and Meter Superintendent Jason Hardee
The American Public Power Association (APPA) has awarded the Electric Department with their Safety Award of Excellence – Diamond Level again this year.
To earn this award, the APPA considers the total number of hours worked by Electric Department employees for an entire year and how many days were lost or restricted from work due to injury. APPA’s Safety Awards have been recognized annually for more than 65 years.
Of the total 274,065 hours worked by 150 employees, the GUC Electric Department reported six recordable injuries with three of those resulting in restricted work.
The Department’s (and GUC’s) safety program continues to improve, which accounts for consistently earning the Diamond Level from APPA.
Assistant Director of Electric Systems Jacob Swink said the Electric Department consistently takes preventative safety measures. In 2025, the department increased the emphasis on early hazard identification, leadership presence in the field, and the effectiveness of the safety discussions.
“We’ve had a lot more conversations that increased the awareness of exposures. Everyone across the department did an exceptional job of making sure we all go home the same way we came into work,” Jacob said. “The Diamond Level could not have been achieved without the dedication of the employees of the Electric Department.”
Leaders engaged in conversations that focused on exposures, controls, and work planning, which led to increased identification of potential hazards and Close Call reporting. In 2025, analysis of those reports identified factors which contributed to close calls. The analysis resulted in the reinforcement of effective controls and applied previously learned lessons before injuries can occur.
“In Public Power, safety excellence isn’t achieved by chance. It’s earned through unwavering discipline, strong leadership, and a culture where every team member looks out for one another,” said Jon Beasley, Chair of APPA’s Safety Committee and Vice-President of Electric Cities of Georgia in statement about the annual awards. “These Safety Award recipients stand as proof that commitment and consistency save lives, strengthen communities, and set the benchmark for our entire industry.”
