Loss control supervisor Brenda Haverfield has completed an intensive program in electric utility safety and loss control.

The Loss Control Internship is a series of workshops offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in conjunction with the National Utility Training & Safety Education Association. The program is designed to instruct participants in many areas related to electric utility industry safety.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly 4 million injuries occur annually in the workplace. One of the goals of a Certified Loss Control Professional is to help ensure a safe work environment for utility works and the public in general. Avoiding workplace accidents avoids down time and can ultimately lead to lower utility rates.

Earlier this year, Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative was awarded the “Best Three-Year Safety Award” by the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperative’s for it’s outstanding safety record among the state’s electric cooperatives from 2009-2013.

Brenda is one of only a few electric utility professionals in the country that will receive this certification this year. The program requires participants to complete a rigorous series of seminars and tests, a 30 hour OSHA course, and a detailed final course project.

Loss Control participants go through four, 6-day sessions that are designed to challenge and educate participants in new, innovative safety techniques. Participants must also maintain their certificate by attending courses every year in order to stay on top of changes in the industry.

Photo: Brenda Haverfield accepts her certificate plaque from Illinois Rural Electric Cooperative’s Board President Robert A. Brown.