CNG, SCG Host Annual Safety Day, Strengthening Workplace Safety Culture Through Education and Hands-On Training
Over 400 frontline workers participated in safety trainings to enhance awareness, prevent accidents, and improve employee health and performance
ORANGE, Conn. — December 3, 2024 — Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), subsidiaries of Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), in collaboration with Connecticut Independent Utility Workers (CIUW) Local 12924 and United Steel Workers (USW) Local 12000 and 12000-1, hosted their annual Safety Day, bringing together union and non-union field professionals for a day of comprehensive safety training and hands-on demonstrations aimed at improving workplace safety and employee well-being.
“Safety is a core value at CNG and SCG, which is why we dedicate an entire day each year to ensure our employees are well-equipped with the latest safety protocols and industry best practices,” said Frank Reynolds, President and CEO of CNG and SCG. “The natural gas industry presents unique risks, and our commitment to ongoing education is crucial to reducing accidents and ensuring the health and safety of our team. We look forward to continuing to invest in training to help our employees perform their work safely, efficiently, and with confidence, so they can return home to their families at the end of every shift.”
The Safety Day event featured a diverse range of training sessions designed to enhance safety awareness and prevent workplace injuries. Topics included customer de-escalation techniques, hazard identification, emergency response protocols, safe lifting practices, and safe digging practices. In addition to these training sessions, industry vendors demonstrated the latest safety technologies and equipment, giving workers the opportunity to interact with tools that improve both safety and performance in the field.
“The Safety Day serves as a valuable refresher for our frontline workers, reinforcing essential skills like safe lifting, proper ergonomics, and the effective use of equipment they may not encounter regularly in the field,” said Al Langland, Vice President of Gas Operations and Engineering at CNG and SCG. “When our workforce is healthy and injury-free, they are more effective in meeting the needs of our customers and maintaining the high standards of service we’ve been proud to deliver for over 175 years.”
As part of the event, Avangrid’s Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) team presented key programs designed to promote employee health and wellbeing, including the Early Intervention Program and Human Operational Performance (HOP) principles. HOP, a science-based approach to accident analysis, focuses on identifying underlying causes to improve safety practices and prevent future incidents. The team also highlighted a range of health and wellness benefits available to employees, aimed at supporting overall physical and mental wellbeing.
“We value the opportunity to engage directly with our frontline employees, educating them about the resources available to support their health and safety,” said Rick Bruno, Vice President (Interim) of Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) at Avangrid. “By continuously evolving our training programs and focusing on health and wellness initiatives, we enhance employee wellbeing, prevent injuries, and ultimately drive better performance both on the job and in their personal lives.”
CNG and SCG’s commitment to safety training is mirrored at their sister company, United Illuminating (UI), where similar Safety Day events are held for electric utility workers. For more information about UI’s Safety Day, visit, UI website.
Media Contact:
Marina Bach
203.859.0883