OCALA, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2024) – Ocala Electric Utility was among 14 Florida public power utilities to receive a Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) Safety Award, which recognizes utilities’ commitment to safety. The award was presented at the Florida Lineman Competition awards banquet in Jacksonville.

Linework is listed as one of the top 10 most dangerous jobs. To provide reliable power, Florida lineworkers and power crews are frequently engaged in dangerous work that can place them at risk of serious or fatal injuries, which is why public power utilities place a significant emphasis on safety and training.

FMEA recognizes and rewards safe operations through its annual Safety Awards. Utilities are placed into categories based on their total worker hours and rewarded for the most incident-free records. The incidence rate used to judge utilities was based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses compared to the total number of worker hours during 2023, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Ocala Electric Utility received third place in Category B with other similar-sized utilities.

"OEU staff is committed to providing safe, reliable power to our customers,” said Glen Moehling, Utility Safety and Training Coordinator. “Fostering a culture of safety in the workforce involves creating an environment where safety is not just a priority, but an integral part of everyday operations and mindset. Our team is proud to have this safety conscience mindset.”

Florida’s public power utilities are locally owned, locally controlled, and locally operated enabling them to quickly respond to the needs of their communities. They are also among some of the most reliable power providers in the state.

About FMEA: The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) represents the unified interests of 33 public power communities across the state, which provide electricity to more than 3 million of Florida’s residential and business consumers.