The Butler County Engineer's
Office continues to make great strides in work place safety,
according to County Engineer Greg Wilkens. Workers in his office
have now gone 13 months without a single lost-time injury. This
marks the second time during Wilkens' tenure that such a feat
has been accomplished.
"You have to give
credit to our workers in the field, considering they are in a
construction-type environment," said Jerry Garrett, BCEO
Utilities and Safety Manager. "We have workers who perform
bridge and culvert replacements, drive snow plows, do roadside
mowing and brush cutting, ditching, sign installations, and roadway
patching. Many of these jobs involve the skilled use of heavy
machinery. So it's quite an accomplishment when you think about
it."
Perhaps even more remarkable
is that BCEO work crews have now gone over five years without
damaging or cutting any underground utilities. A utility cut
is defined as any damage to existing underground utilities during
construction and excavation. This includes gas mains, electric
lines, water mains, cable TV, and telephone lines.
"Absolute precision,"
Garrett emphasized. "This is a critical safety factor anytime
you are digging underground and our crews have mastered the art.
We are very proud of them."
Garrett himself must
also share some of the credit, noted Wilkens. "Jerry is
responsible for making sure all utilities are marked, moved,
and cleared for every single project we do -- big and small.
He is the vital link between every utility out there and our
employees and contractors. Because of his 'behind-the-scenes'
job, many citizens may not realize the important role he plays
to personal and public safety as well as to maintaining daily
utility services to homes and businesses without interruption."
The Engineer's Office
holds numerous safety training sessions each year which are obviously
paying off Wilkens said. "They've done an outstanding job.
We value our field people and supervisors and that is why they
participate in frequent safety training classes. We want to do
everything we can to ensure a safe and efficient working environment."
- # # #
For more information
contact:
Chris
Petrocy, BCEO Public Information Supervisor
Greg Wilkens, P.E., P.S.,
Butler County Engineer
Phone 513.867.5744 • Fax 513.867.5849
