Electric cooperatives recognized for 2023 safety achievements

The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) is proud to recognize four individuals and 11 North Dakota electric cooperatives for safety achievements in 2023.

“At North Dakota’s electric cooperatives, safety is a top priority. Working with high-voltage electric infrastructure and power lines makes line work one of the most dangerous professions, and our cooperatives prioritize the safety of their crews, their members and the communities they serve. We are proud to recognize their safety achievements,” says NDAREC Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Kramer.

On Jan. 11, NDAREC held an awards ceremony and presented the following awards:

• The Life Saver Award recognizes heroic actions that contribute to life saving efforts of another person. This year, NDAREC presented the award to four Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative lineworkers:
  • Jason Bruner
  • Terry Knutson
  • Richard Thomas
  • Kyle Helmers

• The Safety Excellence Award recognizes outstanding performance in safety. To achieve this award, a cooperative must not have had a lost time case accident for five consecutive years.
  • McLean Electric Cooperative

• The Certificate of Safety Achievement recognizes successful participants of the Rural Electric Safety Achievement Program (RESAP), a national safety program that encourages electric cooperatives to achieve and maintain high safety standards for the protection of employees and the community. The following cooperatives earned this certificate for 2023:
  • Cass County Electric Cooperative
  • Central Power Electric Cooperative
  • McLean Electric Cooperative
  • McKenzie Electric Cooperative
  • Slope Electric Cooperative
  • Verendrye Electric Cooperative

• The Safety Performance Award is presented to cooperatives with zero recordable injuries for one year. Cooperatives and contractors that achieved this safety initiative between Dec. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023, are:
  • Capital Electric Cooperative
  • Cavalier Rural Electric Cooperative
  • Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative
  • KEM Electric Cooperative
  • McKenzie Electric Cooperative
  • McLean Electric Cooperative
  • Roughrider Electric Cooperative
  • 3C Construction

Through its safety awards and recognition program, NDAREC has recognized outstanding safety performance for 60 years.

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 17 electric distribution cooperatives and five generation and transmission cooperatives operating in North Dakota. These distribution cooperatives provide electricity to more than 250,000 North Dakotans. NDAREC services include legislative advocacy, lineworker safety training, professional development and cooperative business development. The association also provides its members with a variety of communication services, including publication of the North Dakota Living magazine.