How Utilities Can Put Safety Into The Hands Of Employees

A recent initiative and underlying philosophy at American Water offers a lesson in what it looks like to empower utility employees to take charge of their own workplace safety.

As those who practice it know, work at drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities poses unique challenges and dangers.

While the safety of those workers who carry out treatment operations is no doubt top-of-mind for the majority of employers, those on the frontlines must have significant input around their own protection. American Water — a public utility with nearly 7,000 employees providing water and wastewater services to 15 million consumers around the country and in Canada — puts that philosophy into practice through a program that empowers labor to be its own best advocate.

Working On Their Own Behalf
At New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water and the largest utility in the state, representatives from each operating center get together in a foreman’s working group for quarterly meetings. Recently, they discussed a concern they shared: the need for a safer tool to use during excavation.

Some of the saws that their colleagues used for pipe-cutting were reliant on electrical power, which could be dangerous in wet conditions. Many used water for lubrication, which could cause problems in cold weather. And the saws were known to kick back on operators, making it difficult to control the blades.

Taking matters into their own hands, the foremen reached out to Exact Pipe Tools, Inc., a pipe-cutting tool manufacturer, and collaborated on what they thought was a safer design for the work of their peers. The manufacturer’s CEO traveled from Finland to discuss their needs, and the effort ultimately produced the Exact PipeCut Air 360, a pneumatic saw that operates safely above ground and below ground, in wet or dry conditions, with a design that the foremen believed would keep their own utility peers safe.

It’s a robust effort that produced a new tool for utilities around the world, but also demonstrated a philosophy that can be put into similar action for the benefit of utility labor elsewhere.

“A critical component of American Water’s safety strategy is employee ownership,” said William L. Komianos, senior director of health and safety for American Water. “Our employees know their jobs best since they perform them every day. Seeking their input and recommendations on safety results in more effective long-term solutions to safety challenges. ... The development of the Exact PipeCut Air 360 saw is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work with and listen to the needs of our employees in improving workplace safety and operations.”

Though employee safety has taken great strides at water and wastewater utilities over the last few years, there are still areas of the job that are inherently dangerous. It is all too common that an employee is injured or even killed during pipe installation or rehabilitation, for instance. Those who have seen this process up close, who have held the tools used to perform it, had a clear sense of where those tools could be improved and were enabled by their employer to do something about it.

Applying The Lesson
The creation of the Exact PipeCut Air 360 saw, a reminder of how seriously the utility takes worker safety, started with an empowerment strategy that is fundamental to American Water’s approach to workforce planning. If hearing and applying the feedback from staff is not fundamental to workforce strategies elsewhere, it should be.

“Through open communication, needs can be identified and discussed, and solutions can be developed collaboratively for any safety issue,” said Komianos. “Asking for and eliciting feedback on challenges our employees face and having them be a part of the problem-solving process can be applied to any issue requiring a solution or improved process.”

But quarterly meetings to review and act on the frontline concerns for safety gaps is not enough to avoid accidents. Employee staff need to feel empowered at all times to identify and take a stand against unsafe conditions. American Water also grants and emphasizes a “stop work authority” for its staff and encourages employees not to hesitate to raise concerns to their direct supervisors.

“Every single employee is empowered to stop unsafe work without fear of repercussion,” Komianos said. “Employees not only have a responsibility for their own safety, but for the safety of their coworkers.”

Specifics on the best ways to empower employees to safeguard themselves will vary depending on each utility. American Water is large enough to get a manufacturer’s attention and develop a specific tool for its employees. But smaller utilities will likely have supervisors even closer to the dangers that every employee faces. What’s critical is that any utility, of any size, make safety a core priority and trust that those who might be unsafe should be highly involved in the conversations about working conditions.

“One of the main things that directors and supervisors can do is stay engaged with employees,” said Komianos. “Getting out in the field, observing work activities, and having discussions on what can be improved are critical activities. Oftentimes, simply asking employees the question ‘What can we do to make your job safer?’ will provide invaluable information that will lead to improved employee safety.”

About The Author

Peter Chawaga creates engaging and relevant content on a variety of water and wastewater industry topics for Water Online. Chawaga has worked as a reporter and editor in newsrooms throughout the country and holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in journalism.