Newport News Waterworks, which provides water to much of York County and parts of James City County, has received a safety award for its safety program at the Harwood’s Mill Water Treatment Plant.
The 2014 Larry Gordon Safety Award was presented to Newport News Waterworks by the Virginia Section American Water Works Association on Wednesday, according to a waterworks news release.
“Most people don’t realize the risk involved in operating a water treatment plant,” said Milt Cummings, the senior safety officer for the utility, in the release. “There are obvious hazards such as daily interaction with dangerous chemicals, heavy equipment and machinery, all of which increases the risk for personal injury.”
Cummings uses his more than 25 years of experience in personal, occupational and motor vehicle safety on the job, according to the release. It also includes a committee composed of employees, supervisors and senior management to review accidents and implement accident prevention programs, policies, messages and events.
“Our Harwood’s Mill plant employees have welcomed new and innovative safety practices such as in-house safety inspections and a process safety management program and a risk management program for chlorine,” Cummings said in the release.
Harwood’s Mill is one of two treatment plants the utility uses. It is located in York County.
The award was presented at the 2014 joint annual meeting of the Virginia Section American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Association in Hampton.
