All News

North Dakota electric cooperatives recognized for 2021 safety achievements

MANDAN, N.D.­­ — The North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives (NDAREC) is proud to recognize three individuals, 10 North Dakota electric cooperatives and one contractor for safety achievements in 2021. Safety is a top priority in the electric utility industry, and NDAREC applauds its members on their accomplishments.

On Jan. 13, 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 is proud to present the award to Randy McLean and Talon Thompson, North Central Electric Cooperative.  
     

  • The Stepping Up for Safety Award recognizes an outstanding safety advocate who inspires all employees to commit to safe job performance and who has greatly influenced their cooperative’s safety culture. The recipient of this year’s award is Bill Hansen, McKenzie 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. NDAREC presented the following cooperatives with this certificate:

    • Cavalier Rural Electric Cooperative

    • Burke-Divide Electric Cooperative

    • Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

    • Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative

    • Northern Plains Electric Cooperative

    • Minnkota Power 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, 2020, and Nov. 30, 2021, are:

    • Cavalier Rural Electric Cooperative

    • Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

    • McLean Electric Cooperative

    • Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative

    • Verendrye Electric Cooperative

    • 3 C Construction
       

  • The Outstanding Safety Performance Award is presented to cooperatives that did not have a lost-time case accident for five consecutive years. Cooperatives and contractors that achieved this safety initiative between Dec. 1, 2017, and Nov. 30, 2021, are:

    • Dakota Valley Electric Cooperative

    • Slope Electric Cooperative

    • 3 C Construction
       

  • The Circle of Honor Award recognizes outstanding performance in preventing vehicle accidents. To achieve this award, a cooperative must not have a vehicle accident for five consecutive years. NDAREC presented this award to the following cooperatives and contractors:

    • Slope Electric Cooperative

    • 3 C Construction

Through its safety awards and recognition program, NDAREC has recognized outstanding safety performance for 59 years.

NDAREC is the statewide trade association for 16 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.​​​​​​​