1000 Consecutive Workdays Injury Free

On June 27, 2016, the Kingsport Water/Wastewater Distribution and Collection Division had worked an impressive 1000 consecutive work days without a lost time incident and they’re still going strong today. A lost time incident is an incident that occurs at the place of employment that results in at least one full day away from work duties.

“Considering the work that is completed by these crews on a daily basis, this is a huge accomplishment,” said Water/Wastewater Distribution and Collection manager Chad Austin. “We practice the safe way, every day.”

‘The Safe Way, Every Day’ is the message created by the Public Works department to remind city staff and city residents that the Public Works department is constantly practicing and improving their safety practices.

Examples of the work completed on a daily basis in this department are installing and repairing water and sewer pipes, traveling on roadways, setting up work zones, working in trenches, lifting large parts, placing concrete, installing large concrete vaults, flushing water lines, and lifting sewer cameras and maneuvering them into pipelines. All of these activities are possible scenes for accidents, but the employees have developed work practices that allow them to remain safe and free from injury.

The Kingsport Water/Wastewater Distribution and Collection Division is just one department within Public Works that is providing daily maintenance to our city’s high quality water service.