Ricky Melancon Becomes Certified Loss Control Professional

ALEC’s Safety and Training Coordinator, Ricky Melancon, has completed an intensive electric utility safety and loss control program. The Certified Loss Control Program is a series of workshops offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in conjunction with the National Utility Training and Safety Education Association. The program is designed to instruct participants in many electric utility industry safety areas.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, nearly 4 million injuries occur annually in the workplace. One of the goals of a Certified Loss Control Professional is to help ensure a safe work environment for utility workers and the general public. Avoiding workplace accidents avoids downtime and can ultimately lead to lower utility rates.

Ricky Melancon is one of only a few electric utility professionals in the country that will receive this certification this year. The program requires participants to complete a rigorous series of seminars and tests, a 30-hour OSHA course, and a detailed final course project.

Loss Control participants go through four week-long sessions designed to challenge and educate participants in new, innovative safety techniques. Participants must also maintain their certificate by attending courses every year to stay on top of changes in the industry.

Ricky Melancon has been with the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives for 2.5 years.