Beyond the hard hat: constant training keeps employees and the public safe.

• Position: SAFETY

When customers flip a switch or turn on an electrical or gas appliance, they seldom realize the amount of work and care that goes into making energy safe as well as convenient. The power industry has vastly improved employee and customer safety over the past few decades, with improved safety requirements and regulations established and updated through the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Many power utilities go above and beyond these governmental regulations; North and South Carolina electrical providers are no exception.

At Duke Energy, the largest electric power holding company in the United States, programs reward employees for safety initiatives. In 2013, Duke achieved the lowest employee injury rate in its history. At SCANA, which does business as South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G), nuclear power plant employees train in a simulated plant environment. "It's an interactive learning activity that heightens and reinforces safety awareness and situational awareness to prepare them for working in the plant," says Eric Boomhower, director of public affairs for SCANA Corp. "All who work at the site are required to complete general safety training upon employment and annually thereafter."

At Santee Cooper, a safety committee oversees training in every area of electricity generation. It's tasked with ensuring the company complies with its own safety initiatives, which exceed OSHA requirements. "Every job at Santee Cooper has a course curriculum attached to it, with mandated and required courses," says Jim Coleman, Santee Cooper manager of occupational safety and health. "We track each employee's compliance to make sure they are getting the training and refreshers that will equip them to do the job safely."

Safety is on display for the public at Santee Cooper's annual Lineworkers' Rodeo, which invites teams from the state's electric cooperatives to test employees' safety skills. The events promote speed, accuracy and safety. The rodeo lets crews show off their knowledge by competing in simulated job tasks and safety procedures. Competitions range from written tests to demonstration knot-tying, equipment change-outs and pole-top "hurt man" rescues. Last year was also one of Santee Cooper's safest on record.

Nuclear

No power source is more heavily regulated federally than nuclear power. Before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses an individual to operate or supervise operators of a nuclear power reactor, the...