Category Archives: News

Big Rivers Electric Corporation, a cooperative for power generation, transmission, and distribution, provides wholesale electric power and services to three distribution cooperative members across 22 counties in western Kentucky.

Headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky, with stations in Robards and Centertown, Kentucky, and a substation in Henderson, Kentucky, Big Rivers is responsible for keeping 273 employees safe in an industry where contact with high electrical voltage is an everyday possibility.

Corporate Safety Manager Aaron Barkley outlines safety measures that have been implemented throughout all levels of the organization to bolster their ongoing safety program. A comprehensive commitment to workplace safety has earned Big Rivers Electric the distinction of receiving the KEMI Destiny Award for the eighth consecutive year.

What role does safety play in your organization’s culture?

Big Rivers maintains a proactive approach to safety by putting people first. Our employees and contractors are our greatest assets, and we treat them as such. We have personal safety awards for all employees based on completion of training, attendance of safety meetings, and displaying safety leadership.

We also have department, plant, and company awards when we reach safety milestones. These awards help unify our employees with a focus on safety, which fosters relationships and ensures employees are getting to know each other on a more personal level. This intentional and personal touch toward safety breeds a culture of caring for one other’s safety, which leads to an interdependent safety culture.

What are some of the workplace safety challenges Big Rivers employees encounter?

High electrical voltage poses a danger that many other businesses and organizations don’t face. Heavy mobile equipment from the public is also unique to our operation. Many industries are contained within their “plant” or worksite, however, a number of our employees interact with the public regularly while working with power lines and distribution lines.

Lockout tagout for deenergizing and securing equipment is not a concept confined to our industry, however, the way it must be performed under the power generation standard is unique. This is a focus area that requires multiple training courses each year and is pivotal to our success.

What practices have you added to your program that helped improve your safety record?

We are especially focused on new hire training and qualifications. We also have a “good catch” program that encourages anyone to find something, fix something, or report something so it can be appropriately addressed. This proactive program helps improve our safety records by removing hazards from the workplace. Additionally, we have safety committees that meet monthly to review any issues identified and to discuss fixes for those issues.

During the past year, we began implementing a comprehensive safety management system that will continue to take our safety program to the next level. We have taken steps to make advancements in our communication to enhance learning from one location to all other locations. From the top of our organization, safety meetings are held monthly to discuss ways we can improve, and that concept trickles throughout the organization.

Our CEO and COO are actively engaged with everyone at all levels. This is evident from the quarterly all-hands meetings conducted at each facility, the monthly safety meetings, and the monthly safety and business updates. Engagement, learning, and advancement are foremost in our organization, and this sets us apart from other industries. In addition, we offer shared services to other organization co-ops, which aids in communication, learning, and further advancements in safety.

What impacts or benefits have you seen resulting from a strong safety program?

We have experienced more buy-in and ownership from our employees. Any problems can be resolved faster because we have the processes set up within our safety program to generate the necessary feedback to move forward. As a lagging indicator, our injuries decrease. This is a primary goal and our No. 1 core value at Big Rivers.

How has KEMI assisted in enhancing workplace safety and reducing claims?

KEMI keeps us informed when situations are reported to them. When we have not been made aware of these situations, timely notification from KEMI has allowed us to review and consider potential solutions to appropriately address the circumstances surrounding these situations.

What notable safety milestones or recognition has your organization achieved during the past several years?

Wilson Station in Centertown received a Governor Safety Award in 2021 and 2022. Our headquarters in Owensboro also received a Governor Safety Award in 2021 and 2023, and our Energy Transmission & Substation in Henderson received a Governor Safety Award in 2021.

Everyone at Big Rivers Electric Corporation is proud to add our eighth KEMI Destiny Award to our collection this year and to be recognized for our team effort that supports workplace safety.

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) earned the KEMI Destiny Award for workplace safety for the fifth consecutive year. EKU accomplished this outstanding achievement through methodically implementing and managing a robust safety program that permeates all facets of the university.

EKU, a regional, coeducational public institution of higher education with the main campus located in Richmond, Kentucky, employs approximately 4,100 people. Associate Vice President for Facilities Management & Safety Bryan Makinen explains how collaboration among multiple areas of responsibility helps create a campus culture of safety for faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

What role does safety play at Eastern Kentucky University?

Safety is the central theme that informs all decisions made at the university, from operations, to new builds, to renovations. We embrace a holistic approach of workplace safety in all we do.

Eastern Kentucky University has a Division of Facilities Management & Safety that consists of the EKU Police Department, 911 Telecommunications Center, Emergency Management, Fire & Life Safety, Environmental Health & Safety, Parking & Transportation Services, Risk Management & Insurance, Facilities Management, and Capitol Construction. This division also includes oversight of the Aramark Custodial Services and Grounds Maintenance program.

Combining these areas provides an environment wherein synergisms occur to focus on worker and public safety. Our goal is to create a campus culture and foster a campus atmosphere that provides all individuals the safety they deserve. We do this with methodical planning, training, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and enforcement before incidents occur – not in reaction to them.

What are some of the workplace safety concerns unique to a university campus?

Slips, trips, and falls are universal concerns, and they are high on the list at a college campus. Our broad-spectrum risks, such as facilities operation, farm operation, chemical laboratories, aviation program, and police operation, present safety situations that other types of organizations and businesses may not experience.

Training a variety of professionals relative to safety, including facilities management, faculty, staff, student workers, and more, requires our trainers to stretch their training and instruction abilities to cater to a multitude of experiences, backgrounds, physical abilities, trade-specific tasks, and educational levels.

What impacts or benefits have resulted from a strong safety program?

The years dedicated to workplace safety have paid off by significantly lowering our workers’ compensation mod factor, and we are holding steady. The financial impact of this is astounding. We have reduced our annual workers’ compensation premium by 80%! Additionally, our OSHA recordable injuries have been substantially lowered.

We appreciate KEMI’s assistance with accident and incident trending reports. This crucial information gives us the ability to channel efforts so we can focus resources on areas of concern. The quarterly in-person claims review process has also been invaluable in helping us control costs and effectively manage difficult or complex claims.

Experiencing the partnership between the teams from KEMI, our insurance agency, and EKU is amazing.

Receiving our fifth KEMI Destiny Award is a testament to our focused efforts for improving the culture of safety.

Marsha Rogers, administrative assistant and workers’ compensation coordinator with the Anderson County Board of Education, highlights the importance of building a comfortable working relationship with KEMI as the district’s workers’ comp carrier. Rogers also explains how KEMI’s implementation of Medcor has reduced the need to search for details on a first report of injury (FROI), which helps streamline incident reporting and quickly connects claimants with KEMI.

A.M. Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” of Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance Authority (KEMI) (Lexington, KY).

The Credit Ratings (ratings) reflect KEMI’s balance sheet strength, which A.M. Best categorizes as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management.

KEMI President & CEO Jon Stewart remarked about the rating, “This is KEMI’s 23^rd consecutive year for receiving an A.M. Best rating of Excellent, and it demonstrates our commitment to sound business practices and financial accountability so we may continue serving policyholders and their employees as we work together to protect and care for Kentucky’s workforce.”

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted November 22, 2023

Cindy S., a former employee of Kentucky public schools, loves to make a difference in the lives of others.

Cindy enjoyed driving a school bus and working as a paraeducator for students with special needs. She also worked a third job at a lakeside restaurant to help make ends meet for her family.

On Oct. 26, 2016, Cindy slipped on a puddle of water and fell on the school cafeteria floor. She was in pain, and school officials encouraged her to go to the closest emergency department to be checked. X-rays revealed a fracture on her lower back. Cindy was scheduled for a follow-up visit with a neurosurgeon, given pain medication, and sent home.

Cindy could not afford to miss work, so she continued driving the school bus. She opted to grit through the pain rather than take medication that could have impaired her ability to drive, and she was not willing to jeopardize the welfare of her student passengers and others. She also continued reporting for her paraeducator job.

In December 2016, Cindy’s condition worsened. She had intense pain in her legs and was unable to move. She was taken to the emergency department and was diagnosed with a ruptured disc in her spine.

Cindy had surgery and was transferred to a rehab facility. She was released to go home in a wheelchair a few days before New Year’s Day 2017. Once home, Cindy developed a staph infection in the incision and had to undergo yet another surgery. Several weeks later she had a severe adverse reaction to an antibiotic and broke out in a rash. She was hospitalized again and received treatment.

Two years later, Cindy had a second ruptured disc that required another surgery. She also developed foot drop from additional nerve damage.

Today, Cindy is fully disabled and copes daily with chronic pain, limited mobility, and depression.

Asked what sustains her, Cindy said, “I’m a deeply religious person. My faith in God keeps me going. It’s a miracle that I can walk at all, and I credit the neurosurgeon who saw to it that I was a priority when an operating room opened at the crowded hospital.

“I have a wonderful husband who has been with me and prayed over the situation. He sticks with me through my pity parties and uncontrollable crying. My son tells the funniest stories. He makes me laugh, and I love that about him. And I have a loving family and caring friends who support me. I also have three dogs that give me purpose and a reason to get out of bed every morning.

“I wanted to return to work so badly, and occasionally I get to see children I had the privilege of working with and how they’ve blossomed into happy and outgoing young people. That really puts a lift in my day.

“And I’ve had the support of caring people. Julie from KEMI was there every step of the way trying to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. She has been one of the bright lights who said, ‘I got you, Cindy, I’ll take care of it.’ When I’ve needed anything, it’s nice to have someone to advocate for you who cares about the human aspect and wants to make your day better.

“Through it all, the Lord has been good to me. Maybe my story can encourage others who have been seriously injured to count blessings and look forward to what they have and not what they’ve lost. If sharing my experience can help even one person, I am truly blessed.”

Cindy’s story is one of resilience and perseverance in the face of immense adversity. She is an inspiration to the KEMI team and to others who have been seriously injured.

Opened in 1936, Keeneland is the world’s largest and most prominent Thoroughbred auction house, conducting five horse sales annually. Situated in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region in Lexington, Keeneland also hosts world-class racing twice annually during its boutique spring and fall meetings. Owners, trainers, riders, and fans from all over the world travel to Keeneland each year for an experience like none other.

Assistant Director of Human Resources Tiffany McDonald describes how developing a safety program to address circumstances unique to the horse industry helps achieve workplace safety goals for 286 full- and part-time employees plus 1,754 seasonal workers.

What role does safety play in Keeneland’s culture?
In fulfillment of Keeneland’s founding mission, the safety and welfare of horse and rider remain priority No. 1. Keeneland continues to support and invest in programs and initiatives that protect our equine and human athletes. All Keeneland employees take responsibility for doing their part to create the safest environment possible for the horse and for one another.

Employees work with multiple tools and equipment, and protecting team members from injury is of utmost importance. From patrolling the grounds 24/7, responding to calls for service, continuing to invest significantly in state-of-the-art technology and expertise to provide safe and consistent racing surfaces, and so much more, Keeneland ensures that we have a safe campus year-round!

What practices have you added to your program that helped improve your safety record?
We look at everything in an action/reaction frame of mind. We always consider what implications the task or event would have on individuals or patrons. We have implemented enhanced medical response protocols that provide on-site Level I trauma care, as well as proactive patrol and assignments on race days, during morning training hours for racehorses, and after hours.

Departmental meetings are held frequently throughout the year, and documentation of incidents is shared with applicable parties. After-action briefings and refresher trainings are conducted to address safety-related incidents and to better prepare employees to prevent future incidents.

What impacts or benefits have you seen resulting from a strong safety program?
Multiple departments have made communication a high priority. This enables departments to operate more efficiently and support one another in their respective tasks during stressful situations. Due to that, we have seen an injury record close to zero.

How has KEMI assisted in enhancing workplace safety and reducing claims?
Excellent communication and training platforms have helped Keeneland foster a workplace culture of safety for all staff members, and we look forward to continued development.

Keeneland is a special place to work with a unique schedule and set of demands. Earning the 2023 KEMI Destiny Award underscores how deeply our team is invested in our safety program so that Keeneland can provide the best experience possible for our horsemen and our guests.

Brandenburg Telephone Co., located on the Ohio River 40 miles southwest of Louisville in Brandenburg, Kentucky, offers telephone, broadband, streaming television, security, and surveillance systems. With 131 employees and workplace safety risks that can be life altering, Commercial Manager Kelly Roberts outlines why safety rules completely dictate a safe-minded culture.

What are workplace safety concerns unique to your industry?
Many of our facilities are aerial and can also be in proximity to high voltage electric lines. Falls and electrical voltage awareness are two primary concerns we address in our safety program. Each can have life-changing repercussions if safe practices are not followed.

What role does safety play in your company’s culture?
Safety is huge in our culture. Safety must be the primary focus of every job in order to embed its importance into every employee’s mind. We created a culture of workplace safety by establishing rules with consequences that are strictly followed from the top down.

What practices have you added to your program that helped improve your safety record?
In 2023, Brandenburg implemented a 4-foot rule on rotating machinery. No employee shall be closer than 4 feet of any rotating auger or guy anchor installation head. We also added an eye protection and glove protection requirement to our common line work program. These additions have reduced our chances of getting hurt around equipment and lessened our risk of eye and hand injuries. We feel these have had a positive impact on our record.

What impacts or benefits have resulted from a strong safety program?
Having a strong safety program benefits a company in multiple ways. Most importantly, it reveals and affirms to employees that the company cares about them and their families. A safe culture creates a sense of security with less stress to the employee resulting in a desirable work environment. This makes a company more efficient with less down time. Fewer accidents have positive financial impacts as well. Listing the benefits of having a strong safety program could go on indefinitely!

How has KEMI assisted in enhancing workplace safety and reducing claims?
KEMI’s free safety resource library is instrumental in providing the substance needed for some of the safety meetings held at Brandenburg Telephone Co. throughout the year. This past year’s safety meetings included topics such as ladder safety, distracted driving, and bucket truck safety, just to name a few.

KEMI’s recognition of energy and resources invested into developing a good safety program is also huge. Recognition is so vital in creating awareness of status among peer companies. Receiving acknowledgment for our efforts working on all fronts gives us incentive to continue those efforts. Maintaining workplace safety reduces claims!

What notable safety milestones or recognition has your organization achieved during the past several years?
Brandenburg Telephone Co. has been very fortunate the past few years in having low accident levels. Our track record is a testament to our employees’ commitment to safety. As a result, we were honored to receive the KEMI Destiny Award in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and we are honored to receive our seventh Destiny Award in 2023!

Adair County Schools, a rural district located in southcentral Kentucky, enrolls 2,662 students and employs 214 certified personnel and 179 classified personnel. Carolee Lloyd, assistant to the superintendent, explains how the Adair County Board of Education is committed to providing a safe workplace to everyone employed within the school system.

What role does safety play in the school district’s culture?

Developing and implementing an effective workplace safety plan helps assist our employees in identifying hazards, reporting hazards, and dealing with incidents in a safe, quick, and correct manner.

We believe that mandatory annual workplace safety trainings our employees complete provide our workforce with knowledge and skills to perform their work in a way that is safe for them and their co-workers.

What practices have been added to your program that have helped improve your safety record?

Each school site has a designated person trained on the proper protocol when a workplace injury occurs. They meet annually with KEMI’s client service manager to ensure everyone is on the same page and receives the most current safety information.

Additionally, our Safety Committee meets quarterly with KEMI safety representatives to discuss any issues that may have arisen so we can proactively address any concerns.

How has KEMI helped your company when it comes to workplace safety and reducing claims?

When a new incident happens, KEMI has been amazing at assisting us with any questions or concerns in making sure our employees are taken care of and we have appropriately handled any safety issues. Our goal is to help prevent incidents from reoccurring.

What impacts or benefits have you seen as a result of having a strong safety program?

We encourage a culture of incident reporting so that our employees can be treated effortlessly and seamlessly. This not only creates a safer workplace, but also helps us identify how we can improve the workplace environment.

Workplace safety requires teamwork, and our collaborative effort was recognized last fall when the Adair County Board of Education was presented with a first-time KEMI Destiny Award.

Kentucky’s leading workers’ compensation insurance provider is again lowering its rates for businesses and organizations around the state. 

The rate reduction by Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) amounts to an overall average decrease of 8.9%, with non-coal rates dropping 10.5%. These rate changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and will apply to both new and renewal policies. KEMI’s rates are subject to approval from the Kentucky Department of Insurance. 

“KEMI has reduced rates by 43% over the last decade,” said KEMI President & CEO Jon Stewart. “This commitment to consistently lowering rates is a testament to our dedication to supporting employers and workers of Kentucky, and we remain focused on providing cost-effective solutions that empower our local economy and encourage businesses to invest in workplace safety to further reduce risk.” 

In July, KEMI announced a $15.9 million policyholder dividend. Between 2010 and 2023, KEMI issued dividend payments to policyholders totaling $85 million.  Kentucky business owners are encouraged to contact their insurance agents or KEMI at 800-640-KEMI (5364) to obtain a competitive quote. KEMI is rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted October 19, 2023

KEMI announces Destiny Award winners for 2023

Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance (KEMI) recognizes 25 Kentucky organizations for their commitment to workplace safety and will present each one with the 2023 KEMI Destiny Award.

The Destiny Awards are presented annually by KEMI to policyholders that best exemplify KEMI’s motto, “Control your own destiny.” The awards symbolize what can be accomplished when organizations work together to improve workplace safety. Policyholders that earn the KEMI Destiny Award effectively demonstrate to KEMI their ability to manage a formal safety program, provide on-site training and regular safety meetings for employees, and display an ongoing commitment to safety from all levels throughout their organizations.

The following policyholders were selected as winners after meeting a stringent set of criteria set forth by KEMI:

• Adair County Board of Education
• Allison Abrasives
• Big Rivers Electric Corporation
• Brandenburg Telephone Company
• C & S Construction Co. of Clinton
• Cardinal Industrial Insulation Company
• Central Seal Company
• Corbin Independent Schools
• Eastern Kentucky University
• Edmonson County Board of Education
• Graf Brothers Flooring
• Hinkle Holding Company
• Houston Johnson
• Industrial Field Maintenance
• Keeneland Association
• Lewis County Board of Education
• Mercer County School District
• Metcalfe County Board of Education
• Northern Kentucky Water District
• Owen County Board of Education
• Owensboro Municipal Utilities
• Russell County Hospital
• The Third and Oak Corporation
• Warren County Board of Education
• Wolfe County Board of Education

“Kentuckians are hardworking people who keep the economy running, and the best way to ensure workers remain on the job is with a focus on safety,” stated KEMI President & CEO Jon Stewart. “We consider it a privilege to work closely with Kentucky employers who are committed to developing and maintaining a culture of workplace safety to protect employees and their families. The opportunity to recognize this distinguished group of 2023 Destiny Award winners is truly an honor.”

KEMI offers the public free safety resources through worksafeky.com, a website anyone can access. A library of safety articles, best practices, and helpful links is available.

Media Contact:
Ryan Worthen
KEMI Communications
rworthen@kemi.com
859-425-7800

Posted October 19, 2023