Keeping a strong safety focus in 2024: There’s nothing more important than safety, and we know our members count on MEUW to help keep safety at the forefront of everything we do. To ensure a top-of-mind approach to safety among all municipal electric employees, MEUW is rolling out some new things.
- Expanded weekly safety messages: Building on a solid foundation laid by MEUW’s Electric Utility Safety Training Coordinator Randy Larson, we will be expanding the scope of the weekly safety reminders. Delivered via email each Sunday, these messages provide timely safety topics to help reinforce effective safety practices and draw attention to important safety reminders. The new-look Weekly Safety Reminder will be distributed on Feb. 4, so watch for it in your in-box. If you don’t receive these messages and would like to be included on the distribution list, notify us at office@meuw.org.
- Monthly Safety Calls begin next week: Held each Tuesday at 7:15 a.m., MEUW members are invited to call in to participate in a quick safety update to hear recent near-misses and important alerts to help keep lineworkers safe. Meeting invitations were sent on Jan. 29 ― if you didn’t receive one, you can join the call by clicking here or dialing 1 929-242-8427 and use the Conference ID 484826712#. Please contact Mike Czuprynko with questions.
- Foreman’s Roundtable to be held March 6: The foreman role is important to safety and efficiency when operating a utility. The people leading utility line crews face common challenges and often don’t have an opportunity to talk with others facing those same challenges. Held in Mauston, this one-day session will enable electric utility foremen to share ideas, learn from one another, and develop leadership and communication skills, especially regarding safety. Registration information and meeting details are available here.
- Annual MEUW Safety Award Applications now being accepted: MEUW enjoys recognizing member utilities for taking steps to improve their overall safety performance. We are now accepting applications for 2023 performance measures. Each utility is encouraged to take time to compile the necessary information and submit the application spreadsheet, which is available at MEUW.org/safetyawards. The deadline to submit the required documentation is Friday, March 1. The awards will be presented at the Annual Conference in May.
Increase your knowledge of everything solar: Make sure you’re prepared for customers’ solar questions and interconnection requirements. As interest in solar energy continues to grow throughout Wisconsin, MEUW is offering the “Everything Solar” seminar to share important information utilities should consider regarding utility-scale solar projects, as well as the impacts of customer-driven projects, including grid-connected renewables. This two-day session will be led by Dave Krause, P.E., and will be held in Madison on Feb. 29 and March 1. Utility personnel who are looking to gain or improve their understanding of solar project requirements, drivers and operational impacts are encouraged to attend. Additional information and registration available here. Discounted room rates are available at the Concourse Hotel through today, Jan. 30 — register today!
Utility Planning and Risk Management course set for Feb. 14: Careful attention to detail and comprehensive planning are essential to maximize efficient operations in the complex environment of municipal utilities. As part of MEUW’s professional development programming, this one-day training will focus on utility planning and risk management, explaining the basics of strategic and operational planning, why planning matters, and how well-thought-out plans and careful assessments of risks can contribute to long-term success. Held at The Lodge in Mauston on Wednesday, Feb. 14, registration is now open.
Don’t miss an upcoming Underground Facility Locating Workshop near you: Through both classroom and hands-on application, this one-day workshop will cover the National Utility Locating Contractors Association (NUCLA) Professional Competency Standard Manual Units 1-3. Attendees will learn locator theory, how to use a transmitter and receiver, how to overcome common obstacles, and how to evaluate difficult situations encountered in the field. Full details are available here. Choose from two convenient locations: Thursday, March 14, in Marshfield, or Tuesday, March 19, in Two Rivers. Register today!
Watt-Hour Meter Workshop registration is open! Don’t let mistakes, tampering, and improper operation turn your watt-hour meters into a large source of revenue loss. This workshop will cover both fundamental and advanced topics, recognizing the variety of metering equipment in use across municipal utilities. Held March 25–28 at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, the program will offer a solid review of the essentials, combined with an in-depth study of installation, troubleshooting, and meter tampering. Register today for all or part of the four-day workshop. Full details are available here.
Sign up for Overhead Workshop/Hotwire Training: MEUW is partnering with Chippewa Valley Technical College for this year’s Overhead Workshop to provide hands-on training for all lineworkers ― regardless of experience level ― to sharpen their skills and practice vital tasks in a safe and controlled environment. The training will take place April 23–25 in Eau Claire. The full details and registration are available here.