UI Hosts Annual Safety Day, Strengthening Commitment to Education, Training, and Accident Prevention Among Frontline Workforce

500 mostly-union employees participated in equipment demonstrations and classroom training on electrical safety, proper equipment use, and mitigating workplace hazards


Photos of the event available here


ORANGE, Conn. — October 3, 2024  — United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of Avangrid (NYSE: AGR), in partnership with the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 470-1, held its annual Safety Day for 500 field professionals from overhead, underground, standard field, substation, test department, and logistics teams. The event featured interactive demonstrations of new safety equipment and seminar-style training sessions from approximately 20 vendors.

“Our top priority is the health and safety of our employees, which is why we continue to invest in hosting our annual Safety Day for frontline workers,” said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of United Illuminating. “Given the significant risks in electric work, training is essential to mitigate risks, enhance safety, ensure compliance, and improve efficiency. We believe the best way to learn is through action-oriented activities, which is why we invited top vendors from the utility sector to provide hands-on training with equipment that mirrors real job situations, allowing our team to directly apply their learning. We look forward to continued investment in effective trainings to keep our operations team updated on new safety protocols and technological advancements, preventing accidents and injuries and ensuring they return home at the end of each day.”

Throughout the day, frontline workers participated in comprehensive training sessions on electrical arc flash safety, fire safety, high voltage testing, underground cable fault locating, proper chainsaw use, slings and hoisting, and warm-up exercises to enhance joint flexibility and prevent injuries. Vendors such as PowerTech, Roxtec, Hanes Supply, Lineman’s Supply, Utility Solutions, IRBY, EDI, Dival, Hilti, Milwaukee, Powerpark, and Blaklader showcased their products and services used in the utility industry. All Safety Day activities were funded by the company, not by customers.

“Our annual Safety Day is a proactive initiative to train our crews on innovative equipment and revisit tools they don’t use daily, ensuring their skills are up-to-date,” said Christine Pariseau, Senior Manager of Regional Operations for Overhead and Underground Line at UI. “Today, our crews focused on working with fire extinguishers, chainsaws, saws, and fault locating equipment—tools they have but don’t use regularly. We aim for our training to become second nature, so our crews can respond effectively in any situation, mitigating on-the-job risks and ensuring their well-being.”

During the annual Safety Day event, representatives from Avangrid’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) team presented the company’s formal health and safety policies and procedures. These policies aim to establish accountability and foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement. The team highlighted Health & Wellbeing programs designed to mitigate risks and promote safer work practices. These programs include support for employee mental health, emotional health initiatives utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, and prevention and risk reduction efforts, such as early intervention programs to prevent soft-tissue and musculoskeletal injuries.

“Our frontline workers are the backbone of our organization, and we are dedicated to providing them with the tools and resources needed for a safe and healthy work environment,” said Rick Bruno, Director of Health and Wellness at Avangrid. “We are continuously updating and improving our utility safety trainings to ensure they are up to date with the current environment. We’re also investing in programs to enhance our employees’ confidence, motivation, and productivity through health and wellness initiatives. By prioritizing their mental and physical well-being, we improve on-the-job efficiency, prevent accidents and injuries, and drive long-term success both personally and professionally.” 

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