Blue Ridge Safety Association Networking Event Held at Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative

The Blue Ridge Safety Association (BRSA) recently hosted its June quarterly networking event at the corporate headquarters of Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) in Rockingham County. The event brought together safety & human resource professionals from across the Shenandoah Valley.

SVEC's Director of Safety & Compliance, Meggan Robbins, and Field Safety & Training Coordinator, Scott Austin, delivered an informative safety presentation over lunch, followed by an engaging facility tour. Austin afforded the group a hands-on demonstration of the personal protective equipment that linemen wear in the field including many different types of electrical safety gloves, hard hats, harnesses and fall protection gear. 

One impactful idea shared centered on SVEC's innovative approach to near-miss reporting. Rather than using the traditional term "Near Miss Accident," SVEC rebranded the program as "Great Catch." This simple but powerful change in language has significantly increased employee reporting of potential hazards and unsafe conditions. 

Networking events like this are a hallmark of BRSA's mission, providing members with practical ideas and proven strategies they can implement within their own organizations. More than a dozen representatives from Virginia businesses attended the event, strengthening professional relationships while gaining a deeper appreciation and a renewed respect for the critical work performed by SVEC employees every day.

The Blue Ridge Safety Association is the Shenandoah Valley's premier nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting safety and human resource professionals in achieving workplace safety excellence. Organizations and individuals interested in expanding their safety knowledge and professional network are encouraged to join the growing BRSA membership.

Registration is currently open for upcoming OSHA 10 (Lakeside Book location) and OSHA 30 (Magnera location) General Industry training programs. Be sure to save the date for the BRSA Annual Safety Conference on September 25 at the Plecker Workforce Center.

For upcoming events and registration information, visit www.blueridgesafety.org/events.

Contact Lara Hoke, BRSA Project & Marketing Coordinator, at info@blueridgesafety.org  if you have an interest in hosting a future networking or training event for association members and their guests.