The Paris News

Providing a safe work environment for employees is a never-ending process, especially at Lamar Power Partners. In order to make that happen, the power plant promotes a culture of safety which involves employees from all levels of work.

“We strive to become better than is expected of us. It’s how these guys live— safety is a culture. It’s not just the company, but the individuals who work there,” said Jimmie Hopson, plant manager.

That mind set, coupled with safety programs that are constantly updated, is how Lamar Power Partners, a division of Nextera Energy Resources, qualified for the highest safety award the Occupational and Safety and Health Administration gives out — Voluntary Protection Programs Star Status.

Officials from OSHA and Nextera Energy Resources will gather at the Paris plant Thursday, Aug. 13, when the award will be presented.

“VPP Star Award is a cooperative effort between companies and OSHA. It consists of three to four days on site study of the safety culture, including documents and procedures,” said Bryon Billman, plant leader 1.

There are three levels to VPP awards. The lowest is Demonstration, middle is Merit and Star is the highest given throughout the country.

“It’s the preeminent and says a lot for the safety culture and care these guys put into the site,” Billman said.

The company uses a Safety Management System, which, said Billman, goes beyond OSHA standards for safety. The SMS incorporates hazards recognition before a task is undertaken.

“We call them tail board reviews, which covers safety issues and identifies hazards and mitigations,” Billman said.

“There are roughly 40 things out there to make sure the guys are safe on a daily basis. They’ve been in place quite some time, at least since 2000 when I came on board,” Hopson said.

A few of the SMS items include:

• Clearance, or lock out/tag out, which makes sure folks are safe before they ever start work by making sure safety measures are in place;

• Confined Space ensures there are safe atmospheric conditions; and

• Hot Work Permits for such things as welding.

“It’s an ongoing project. People will come up with ideas and we incorporate them. Our employees are the lifeline and are important in the safety meetings,” Billman said.

Employees at Lamar Power Partners begin with the corporation’s initiative program and build on it to develop a total culture that ensures safety for people day in and day out.

“One good thing is, nothing is perfect. We take input at the lowest levels and work back up to help everyone in the corporation. We have a group of people who believe the No. 1 goal is to go home like they came to work. And the corporation is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that happens. The two together, working together is what achieves the award,” Hopson said.

In order to be considered for the VPP award, the company has to be below the national average of three to four injuries per year.

“We’re well below that,” Billman said. “This award is very important. It shows an appreciation to all the folks and gets the guys a little bit of pride because they put in a lot of work with their great safety ideas. This award is not just for the corporation, it’s especially for the employees.”

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