February 16, 2012 – Horizon Utilities Corp., the utility that distributes electricity to homes and businesses in Hamilton and St. Catharines, Ont., recently achieved a “significant safety milestone for the second time since 2010”: one million hours worked without a lost-time injury. Well done!

“Our number one priority in delivering a reliable supply of electricity to our customers is to ensure the safety of our employees, contractors and everyone in the communities we serve,” said Max Cananzi, president and CEO of Horizon.

“I am proud of our employees’ ongoing success in safety,” added Cananzi. “We will continue to strengthen our safety practices and performance with the implementation of a best-in-class health and safety management system: Canadian Standards Association [CSA] Z1000. Our goal remains the same as it has always been—zero injuries. Working safely means that our employees go home safely to their families each and every day. Nothing is more important than that.”

Horizon says its safety record has benefited from the strong support of the IBEW and the company’s Joint Health and Safety Committees.

“We take a team approach to safety. However, everyone also takes individual responsibility for their own safety and for that of their colleagues through an uncompromising and focused approach to health and safety,” said Cananzi.

Horizon Utilities extends its commitment to safety beyond the work environment into the communities it serves. In 2011, the company provided electrical safety training for 11,500 elementary school students attending 52 schools in Hamilton and St. Catharines. During these sessions, children from Kindergarten to Grade 7 learn about the hazards posed by outlets, appliances, substations, transformers, hydro poles and overhead electrical wires.