January 1, 2012

PRBCUG Small Plant of the Year: Muscatine Power & Water

By Angela Neville, JD

Creating a Culture of Achievement

Costello listed the reasons why he thinks the Muscatine employees are so successful at carrying out the dual imperatives of efficient plant operations and workplace safety:

• Aggressive cleaning schedules at the plant.
• Use of technology to prevent dust accumulation.
• Development of a comprehensive combustible dust management program.
• Development and implementation of the National Fire Protection Association’s 70E standard for electrical safety in the workplace (Figure 7).
• Positive attitudes of all the employees.
• Overall pride in the plant, evidenced by the close-knit employees, who typically are friends, family, and neighbors.
• A safety culture second to none.

7. Protection against electrical hazards. The MP&W staff identified all of their electrical equipment hazards and developed the facility’s 70E Electrical Protection Program. The use of decals helps to identify the personnel protective equipment needed to safely rack out plant equipment. The staff also went through the plant and reduced as many arc flash areas as possible to lower levels, wherever applicable. Courtesy: MP&W

Leading by Example

POWER congratulates the management and staff of the Muscatine Power & Water plant for being named the 2011 PRBCUG Small Coal Plant of the Year. As more facilities follow the example set by award-winning facilities like the MP&W plant, the trend toward smarter ways of handling jobsite risks should produce positive, long-lasting results for workplace safety.

For further information on the MP&W plant or the plant’s improvement projects, please contact Mark Costello, maintenance supervisor, at 563-262-3503 or mcostell@mpw.org. Additional information on the PRBCUG and its awards program is available at http://www.prbcoals.com.