Decades of Safety Excellence

When entering the powerhouse at Thompson Falls Dam, one of the first things you’ll see is a large digital sign showing the number of days without a lost-time accident. As of Aug. 31, 2021, that number was 12,541, or about 34 years and four months.

Our hydro crew at Thompson Falls Dam recently received the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP)Decades of Excellence Award, as did our crews at Hauser, Holter and Madison dams

OSHA’s VPP recognizes work sites committed to effective employee protection beyond the requirements of OSHA standards. VPP-designated sites are required to comply with all OSHA and NorthWestern Energy safety rules, and are also required to go above and beyond in terms of safety. In return, VPP sites are removed from OSHA’s programmed inspection list. The Decades of Excellence award honors 10 years in that program.

Joining VPP has made a huge difference, said Noel Jacobson, foreman at Thompson Falls Dam.

“It really has improved safety and continues to improve safety,” Noel said.

Voluntary is a key part of the VPP process. All employees have to be dedicated to achieving the designation.

“You can’t force a program like this on people,” said Chris Magnuson, safety and environmental professional at NorthWestern.

Each year, the entire crew at each VPP site gets togetherand makes a list of safety goals and priorities.

“We put a lot of things on that list every year,” Noel said. “And we get the support and resources we need to complete those things.”

Over the years, that has meant new LED lighting in areas with no lighting or poor lighting, new decking and catwalks, new access doors and staircases, additional handrails and more.

When a team truly adopts the VPP mindset, it can have a big impact. The average VPP worksite has a lost workday incidence rate at least 50% below the average of its industry, according to OSHA. Only 0.02%, or 2 out of every 10,000, workplaces nationwide are VPP certified.