AJAX, ON, Dec. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - Veridian Connections ("Veridian") is proud to announce that its employees have amassed more than 1 million hours without a lost-time injury. The milestone required almost three years of work among its 225-plus employees without a single work related lost-time injury, and builds on a previous period of over ten years without a lost-time injury.
The announcement was made by Veridian President and CEO Michael Angemeer, who praised all employees for establishing and maintaining a culture where safety is a core value, and everyone equally shares the responsibility of creating and ensuring a healthy and safe work environment. "The health, safety and well-being of our employees and the public is a key foundation of our business," said Angemeer. "A healthy and safe work environment is a requirement for a productive and engaged workforce, which in-turn provides better value for our customers and shareholders."
Veridian's safety performance is the result of strong leadership and support of the utility's Board of Directors and management, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW"), Veridian's Joint Health and Safety Committees and its employees. "It is a commitment by everyone when it comes to ensuring a healthy and safe workplace at Veridian," commented Angemeer. "Every single one of our employees has been very supportive of our efforts to maintain a workplace environment that emphasizes reaching your personal best by providing coaching, ongoing training, skills development and personal responsibility for themselves and their fellow employees."
"This milestone is a true testament to our entire team and their efforts to integrate safety into their work every day," said Angemeer. "Given the number and types of tasks our employees are required to perform to build and maintain our electricity system, while providing excellent service levels – it is a tremendous accomplishment."
Michael Matthew, Veridian's Manager of Health, Safety & Environment, echoed Angemeer's congratulatory message. "This is a remarkable achievement that is a direct result of Veridian's ongoing commitment to safety and preventing injuries in the workplace and at home. From identifying potential risks and hazards to providing a safe and healthy workplace, Veridian has and will continue to always put safety first."
Last year, Veridian began the groundwork to become an early adopter of the Infrastructure Health and Safety Association's ("IHSA") Certificate of Recognition (CORTM) program. Since 2010, the utility has self audited its health and safety policies and programs as part of the IHSA's ZeroQuest® program. Under COR, Veridian's safety management system will undergo rigorous external audits of its inspections, investigations and procedures.
Veridian Connections, serving more than 119,000 customers, is about to become the fifth largest municipally owned electric utility in Ontario after the merger of large utilities west of Toronto is completed. The City of Pickering, the Town of Ajax, the Municipality of Clarington and the City of Belleville jointly own Veridian Corporation, the parent company to Veridian Connections. The utility has a successful history of effective growth through two mergers and five acquisitions, and now serves nine communities east and north of Toronto more efficiently than any other large non-contiguous utility in Ontario. Veridian has a keen focus on reliability, customer communication and helping to lower customers' electricity bills through the delivery of innovative conservation programs and reasonable rates. Veridian not only contributes to local communities through industry leading financial returns, but also helps build stronger communities through the support of youth, health, economic development, education, the arts, the environment and the disadvantaged. Industry leading employee programs, public safety and a focus on employee engagement has created an environment that has attracted six consecutive Canada's Greenest Employer awards and one Top GTA Employer award. Veridian has now diversified into renewable energy, and will be establishing other value added offerings for its customers.
SOURCE Veridian
Image with caption: "Veridian (CNW Group/Veridian)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151201_C5961_PHOTO_EN_556134.jpg
Chris Mace, Corporate Communications Representative, Veridian Connections Inc., 905-427-9870, extension 2218, Follow us on Twitter: @VeridianTweets
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