October 30, 2013

OCTOBER 30, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Halton Hills Hydro launches innovative health and safety program

HALTON HILLS, ON – Halton Hills Hydro is introducing a new leading-edge health and safety management program to ensure the safety of its employees and community.

Over the last number of years there has been a renewed focus on health and safety in the power distribution sector highlighting the need to increase awareness and to improve safety programs to ensure the ongoing safety and health of employees and the community.

“We are focused on creating the best health and safety program in the country and are committed to the health and safety of our employees, their families and our customers. We will leverage the very best safety resources available in the province to ensure that we achieve excellence in both safe work practice and the distribution of electricity to our customers. We want our employees to go home each and every day to their families stronger and more aware,” said Art Skidmore, President and CEO, Halton Hills Hydro.

The new leading-edge corporate health and safety program is being delivered through a strategic partnership between Halton Hills Hydro and Springboard Management Inc. The newly designed health and safety model is the first of its kind in the province and will see Halton Hills Hydro leverage its current health and safety infrastructure by using cutting edge technology, enhanced business and safety management processes, and a cultural transformation to set a new standard within the hydro utility sector.

The new program was launched today to an enthusiastic crowd of employees, political partners, business leaders and community stakeholders

As part of this new partnership, Halton Hills Hydro has chosen to embed a team of recognized health and safety professionals in the organization to help the company continue to proactively identify areas of risk and to meet and exceed all industry and regulatory requirements for health and safety. The new safety model, to be known as EMPOWER-LIVE SAFE, reflects the company’s rich tradition of health and safety excellence for both its employees and its customers. The program encourages Halton Hills Hydro employees to personalize safety and is designed to serve as a catalyst to help improve efficiencies and productivity and more deeply entrench an already strong corporate health and safety culture.

Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, who is also a member of the Halton Hills Hydro board added, “Halton Hills Hydro is a known innovator and has a strong reputation for health and safety. We are pleased to see the further evolution of this safety culture as they continue to deliver great service and value to our community.”

The program will eventually become part of a larger regional health and safety cooperation model involving both Milton Hydro and Oakville Hydro. This regional model will allow for the sharing of best practices, information, resources, and strategies in the delivery of service in the high-risk, but critical hydro utility distribution sector.

About Halton Hills Hydro

Halton Hills Hydro, with 22,000 customers, serves two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements, covering 280 square kilometres.

For more information contact:

Art Skidmore
President & CEO
Halton Hills Hydro
519-853-3700 ext. 225
askidmore@haltonhillshydro.com