“Succeed By Being Safer”—IBEW 1245’s ‘Control The Pressure’ Summit Puts Safety At the Forefront  

Dozens of IBEW 1245 safety stewards gathered in September for IBEW 1245’s annual “Control the Pressure” peer-to-peer gas safety summit.

1245’s “Control the Pressure” program has grown exponentially in recent years. From its humble beginnings on just two properties, 1245 now has peer safety stewards on the gas side at over half a dozen signatory properties. Recently, the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) joined CTP as well, expanding the committee to include water operations.

CTP’s annual safety summit presents the unique opportunity for gas safety stewards from all over 1245’s service area to come together, learn from one another, and brainstorm additional ways to enhance safety for themselves and their co-workers.

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After opening with the traditional moment of silence for the 1245 members who lost their lives on the job, 1245 Senior Assistant Business Manager Anthony Brown welcomed the group to the summit, reminding them of the inherent risks of the trade, as well as the progress that 1245 has made to improve safety for our members working on the gas side. He also underscored the importance of putting safety at the forefront of each and every thing we do.

“Here’s how my safety culture is defined …Safety is in my core DNA. It’s about valuing my safety, because I’ve got family at home,” Brown told the room full of safety stewards. “It’s about not just being safe worker; it’s about being a safe brother and sister, a safe human being, a safe father, husband. We all have to make it home at the end of the day.”

The summit attendees then had the opportunity to hear from keynote speaker Garrison Wynn, a renowned safety speaker who himself survived a chemical plant explosion.

In his speech, Wynn highlighted the essential nature of communication and trust when it comes to keeping one another safe at work. He emphasized that employees who feel engaged and valued are more driven to maintain and improve safety in the workplace.

“Safety is the foundation of civilization. Communication, relationships and situational awareness are foundations of safety,” he said. “Circumstances do not create your destiny… you do!  Someone always succeeds by being safer, why would that not be you?”

After Wynn’s thought-provoking speech, the stewards went into break-out groups for more in-depth discussions about their specific challenges and experiences. The day concluded with an open discussion about the union’s safety program and the best ways to maximize its reach to cultivate an even stronger safety culture.

To get involved in IBEW 1245’s peer-to-peer safety program, email MFA1@ibew1245.com