Kemper’s Operations unit reaches safety milestone

What does it take to get hundreds of people to work together for four years on one of the busiest, most high profile construction zones in the nation without a single recordable accident?

Considering safety as more than a practice, but a fundamental core value, said Sam Sumner, Kemper County energy facility plant manager.

The plant’s Operations unit recently celebrated four years without an accident.

“Employees here are not only poised to operate this ‘first of its kind’ power plant in the world, but they’re also setting outstanding safety standards that are resonating with each other and throughout our industry,” Sumner said.

Since construction began in 2010, the plant’s cumulative recordable injury rate is just 0.51 which is “dramatically below” that expected of a project of this size and scope, Sumner said.

“There are a lot of firsts here, so as we continue to execute commissioning and startup, new activities are being performed almost daily,” he said.

“We’re telling our folks that if you have a concern or lack of understanding about any task you’re performing or observing, stop the job and get the right people involved to ensure we continue to work safely. Safety is a fundamental core value of ours, and we encourage our employees to say something if they see something unsafe or know of a way to make something safer,” he added.