Efficiency is key for utility providers.  Tasked with the job of supplying our homes and businesses with electricity, water, and gas. Along with striving for efficient operations, these companies must also prioritize excellence; all while staying ahead of problems that could result in widespread outages.

If a grocery store sells out of steak for three days, a few customers may feel inconvenienced but if an entire zip code loses power for three days, there will be thousands of inconvenienced customers.

Outsourcing specific services makes sense for utility companies and allows them to focus on the goals of delivering efficiency, excellence and low-cost, reliable water, gas and electricity to their customers. The functional areas in which you can outsource are nearly endless, and the benefits can be immeasurable. If you’re on the fence regarding the merits of outsourcing, here are a few reasons why your business will be better because of it. (more…)

No company wants to admit it to occasionally dropping the ball. But when you’re employing human beings, mistakes are bound to happen. On the other side of the equation, level-headed customers understand that experiencing minor inconveniences is bound to happen.  Such as a delay in a product shipment or the rescheduling of an appointment. But in both of these instances, at the proverbial intersection where avoidable and unavoidable problems meet, the most successful companies are often those with a focus on providing solid customer service. (more…)

New equipment is one of the most expensive line items for businesses in nearly all industries. From heavy machinery on construction sites to instruments that utility companies rely on, these tools of the trade are imperative for operations. So, when the success of your business depends on functioning equipment, one would think maintaining equipment would be a priority. But the reality is that many businesses don’t take a proactive approach to quality check-ups of equipment.

Faulty equipment always seems to be noticed when it’s too late. Unplanned repair or replacement costs can damage the health of the business and potentially, customer relationships. If you’re guilty of this kind of approach to maintenance, keep reading. Here are three ways that regularly-scheduled proactive equipment checks can positively impact your business.dd

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A sailor without a map risks spinning in circles, so, too, does an employee without a standard operating procedure. These step-by-step directional guides known as “SOPs” (standard operating procedures) provide the framework employees need to ensure consistency. While the nature of the SOP is critical, revamping the components procedure whenever needed might be just as important.

A thorough review and update of all SOPs is an exercise that should take place at least once a year. Some companies aren’t sure where to begin. When leadership does find that they need to make a change, many leaders don’t know how to put that update into place. If the thought of changing your SOPs is giving you pause, check out the helpful tips we’ve included below. (more…)

It’s been said that the lineworkers who install and maintain utility poles are among the toughest and most fearless employees you’ll find in today’s workforce. While installation offers its own set of complexities, the physical act of maintaining power lines is what really tests the resolve of these courageous employees. Also known as powerline technicians, these lineworkers scale poles ranging from 20 to 100 feet every day. They navigate the dangers of height and intense voltage, all to help their fellow citizens avoid power disruptions.

No one will ever doubt that the job carries its share of hazards. Certainly, a well-documented safety plan can eliminate some of the most common risks and the potential for injury. Of course, utility companies across the globe tout employee safety as a top priority. We are firm believers in the power of a reminder.  Whether you feel good about your company’s safety plan, or you could simply use a few fresh pointers, read on. You’ll learn three keys to utility pole maintenance safety. (more…)

After an RFP process, the Purchasing Dept. recommended approval to procure water meter data collection services from Utility Partners of America, which was approved Thursday afternoon by Council.  The services…

This Saturday is National Lineman Appreciation Day. Utility Partners of America would like to thank our Linemen today, and every day, for their service and the sacrifices they make to…

The importance of safety at work reaches an entirely new level when your job exposes you to heavy equipment or high voltage. You’re asked to complete tasks under extreme temperatures or great heights. Such is life for many field service technicians. Particularly those that work for utilities and energy cooperatives that are responsible for aspects of our nation’s utility infrastructure.

But it wasn’t until 1971 and the formation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that American employers were to provide workers with a safe environment. In addition to the OSHA standards that apply to various categories like electrical, hazard communications, and respiratory protection, there is an assortment of best practices workers should always engage in to remain safe. Here are three that you can put into action today. (more…)

They say that character is doing the right thing when no one is watching, and that may never be more appropriate than on a job site. Whether someone is working alone or the site is buzzing with activity.  Employees in utilities often have specific tasks that simply don’t receive direct oversight. That can be dangerous under the wrong conditions. We’d all like to believe that every employee has the best intentions when it comes to upholding safety protocols. There is another workplace buzzword that encapsulates what it means to actually abide by those guidelines: accountability. (more…)

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), the median number of days away from work due to electrical injury was 10. That stat comes courtesy of data spanning the years 2003 through 2017 that ESFI sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That report revealed the sobering fact that the utilities and the construction industries require safe work practices and a disciplined culture of safety and compliance.

There are precautionary measures that a utility or a construction organization can take to lessen the chance of a job site injury. One of the most beneficial of those measures is holding regular safety meetings.  (more…)