USA fleet member Energy Northwest and its Columbia Generating Station reached a significant milestone November 12 for industrial safety – 10 million hours without a lost-time injury.

The achievement comes just over a month after Columbia, in September, surpassed its highest measurable performance levels in the 28-year history of the facility.

“My sincerest thanks to all of you for your hard work, and for working safely,” Energy Northwest CEO Mark Reddemann told employees. “We’re all about achieving and sustaining excellence, and I’m very impressed and very proud of what you have accomplished.”

“This is just a foundation,” he said. “We’ll continue to set the bar higher.”

Earlier this fall, agency employees and contractors set a record for successfully working for three years without a lost-time injury. The 10 million-hour mark, however, is another agency best.

The American Public Power Association occasionally reports on agencies achieving one million hours without a lost time injury milestone. In fact, the APPA’s website reported “it is nearly impossible for a large public power utility to achieve a zero in the number of lost-time accidents they experience each year.”

“A record such as this is indicative of the high standards of excellence that are vital to safe and reliable operations,” said Charles England, Organizational Effectiveness manager at Columbia. “We are proud of our safety record and have a strong workforce that strives to ensure safe operations in every facet of their work every day.”

“Let’s remain focused on our first core value – Safety First – and continue to demonstrate our commitment to nuclear, industrial, radiological and environmental safety.”

Energy Northwest’s PT Boler (right) thanks mechanic Clayton Cook for working safely. On Nov. 12, the agency, which operates Columbia Generating Station, reached a new safety milestone — 10 million hours without a lost time injury. (Kelly Rae photo)