Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative
Prepares For The Future

Mountrail-Williams Electric Cooperative (MWEC) Safety Coordinator Ryan Block has completed an intensive program in electric utility safety and loss control.

The loss control internship is a series of workshops offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in
conjunction with the National Utility Training & Safety Education Association. The program is designed to instruct participants in many areas related to electric utility industry safety.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly 4 million injuries occur annually in the workplace. One of the goals of a certified loss control professional is to help ensure a safe work environment for utility workers and the public in general. Avoiding workplace accidents avoids down time and can ultimately lead to lower utility rates.

Block is one of only a few electric utility professionals in the country who will receive this certification this year. The program requires participants to complete a rigorous series of seminars and tests, a 30-hour OSHA course and a detailed final course project.

Loss control participants go through four week long sessions designed to challenge and educate participants in new, innovative safety techniques. Participants must also maintain their certificate by attending courses every year in order to stay on top of changes in the industry.

Block is from Hazen and has been with MWEC since 2020. Prior to coming to MWEC, he worked for Roughrider Electric Cooperative.

*General Manager Alex Vournas and Board Chairperson Bob Grant present Ryan Block with Electric Utility Safety and Loss Control Certification