PPL Montana Recognizes Employees for Safety

Corette Safety Committee

The safety committee at the Corette power plant in Billings, Mont., and two employees at the Colstrip power plant have received annual safety awards as part of PPL Montana’s safety recognition program.

Led by Chairman Doug Newmiller and Vice Chairman Ken Kimmet, the Corette safety committee received the Outstanding Safety Achievements by a Work Group Award for 2004.

The award recognizes the committee’s success in raising safety awareness and conveying to all Corette employees the importance of workplace safety as the plant pursued certification under the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Voluntary Protection Program.

The Corette safety committee took ownership of the plant’s safety culture and has worked together and with all employees to effectively continue to improve safety,” said Dan Gatch, plant manager.

In addition to Newmiller, Kimmet and Gatch, the members of the Corette 2004 safety committee were Dave Rudolf, Wayne Lilienthal, Ken Dow, Kurt Keller, David Gabel, Ross Clark, Doug Merlau, Bob Hindley, Jim Kudloff, Sherry Tizono, Carla Ova and Ron Hartung.

At Colstrip, Bruce Knutson and Ron Chase have been honored with the Chief Operating Officer Safety Award for their contributions to the plant’s overall safety effort.

Bruce Knutson, left, and Ron Chase

Knutson, maintenance manager, and Chase, an electrician and president of IBEW Local 1638, were jointly recognized for their leadership in initiating the People Safety program at Colstrip, as well as their continued leadership and focus on identifying, observing, and reinforcing safe behaviors at the plant.

“Ron and Bruce saw the value of the People Safety program and realized the positive effect it could have in preventing injuries and accidents,” said Neil Dennehy, plant manager at Colstrip. “The accomplishment they have achieved together will help Colstrip achieve the highest level of safety performance.”

PPL Montana’s COO Award is a special safety award given every year to recognize significant contributions in overall safety for preventing loss of life, property or personal injury.