Stop Work Authority
Recognitions
May - Plant Scherer
Plant Scherer
An employee observed a worker operating a lift and asked if the pre use inspection had been completed. It was determined that no inspection had been performed. The employee exercised Stopwork authority and paused the task. The operator then completed the required inspection and worked resumed safely.
May - Gaston Ash Pond
Gaston Ash Pond
Tim Allen: Employee noticed a fellow employee filling a faulty fuel can with holes in it. Work was stopped and the fuel was transferred to an approved container with no holes in it. The spilled fuel was cleaned up and the faulty fuel can was discarded.
Matthew Robbins: Employee noticed there was a large pothole on the Seconds Ramp where large haul trucks were operating. Traffic was stopped in that area until a bulldozer came and bladed the area until level. Traffic resumed.
Andrew Traffica: Employee was driving a bus load of passengers when he noticed a dump truck was backing up on the road. He stopped the bus to ensure he did not hit the truck. The truck continued to back up and came closer to the bus. The driver blew the horn of the bus to stop the truck.
Tiffany Parker: Employees were repairing snow fencing along a roadway where there was a large amount of heavy haul truck traffic. The fence work was stopped, the traffic was re-directed, and the work continued.
Alex Massey: Employee was working in the seconds area flipping wet ash into a pile from the pits. The pile behind the pit shifted and slid down to the tracks and counterweight of the excavator. Worked was stopped and some of the removed from the area. Ash piles will be kept lower moving forward.
Nolan Kratz: The pump crew was checking pumps around the site when Nolan saw smoke/ steam coming from the pump located in the bottom of the West area. Nolan got the fire extinguisher that was in the area just in case it was needed. Nolan turned the power off to the pump. Work was stopped, the pump was turned off and tagged out of service. The bad pump was moved out of the area to be taken off site. A new pump was installed in the area and work resumed.
May - Plant Daniel
Plant Daniel
5/2/2025: Electrical Apprentice (Aiden Sablich) was about to access a scaffold for his task (wire pull). He checked the scaffold tag and realized that it hadn’t been inspected for the current shift. He stopped, contacted his supervisor, and they notified the carpenters. A competent scaffold person came to inspect the scaffold and signed the tag before he accessed the scaffold to perform his task.
5/15/2025: Journeyman Electrician, William Laughlin noticed that there was an airline connection missing a whip check and cotter pin near his work location. He communicated this to his safety representative, and a whip check and cotter pin were installed at the connection.
Picture (L to R): (Andy Pope, SST Champion),(Aiden Sablich, Electrician Apprentice), (William Laughlin, Electrician Journeyman)
April - Plant Daniel
Plant Daniel
4/15: Electrical apprentice (Aidan Sablich) was carrying tools to his work area when he noticed a cord stretched across the walkway about chest high. He contacted McAbee safety and reported the issue. The responsible contractor’s safety professional was notified, and the cord and an air hose were relocated out of the walkway.
4/17: A pipe fitter apprentice had finished grinding and began to set the grinder down on the grating while it was still spinning. She was stopped by McAbee pipe fitter journeyman (Anthony Scheeler) and coached to maintain control of the grinder until it stopped spinning. There was a power cord approximately 2’ away that could have been cut by the grinder disc, or the tool could have walked off and became a dropped object from the elevated platform they were on.
Pictured (L to R): Aidan Sablich (Gulf Electric Electrician Apprentice), Andy Pope (SST Champion), Anthony Scheeler (McAbee Journeyman Pipefitter)
March - Plant Daniel
Plant Daniel
McAbee pipe fitter (Codey Wolfe) was setting up for his task when he noticed a welding lead that had a cut on it deep enough to expose the copper wire. He removed the welding lead from service and replaced it with a welding lead that passed inspection before continuing with his task.
Codey Wolfe pic (L to R): Andy Pope (SST Champion), Codey Wolfe (McAbee Pipe fitter)
March - Plant Daniel
Plant Daniel
Gulf Electric team member (William Laughlin) and an Electrical Apprentice were preparing for a wire pull. He identified that they would need to go outside of the handrail system to stand on a beam during the pull. He contacted McAbee’s safety professional for guidance on a proper fall protection setup. They identified an overhead beam to use as an anchor point and the proper fall protection gear to use to complete the task safely. Not only did this Stop Work achieve a safe work plan to execute, but he also set a great example to the young apprentice who is the future of our industry!
William Laughlin pic (L to R): Daniel Rice (SCS Safety), William Laughlin (Gulf Electric Journeyman), Andy Pope (SST Champion)
February - Plant Daniel
Plant Daniel
Anthony Scheeler began to perform hot work and realized that he had not confirmed whether a Hot Work Permit was issued for the task/area. He stopped work and confirmed with his supervisor that a Hot Work Permit was issued and that all the proper controls and mitigations were in place before he proceeded with his task.
Pictured Left to right are Andy Pope (SST Champion), and Anthony Scheeler (McAbee)
September - Plant Scherer
Plant Scherer
Laurel observed a contractor with one foot on a midrail of the boilerhouse preparing to stand on the midrail with both feet to reach a cord that was ran overhead. Before contractor could step up with second foot he was stopped and asked to utilize a ladder so that he was not putting himself at risk of going over the top rail or falling backward as he stepped down. Contractor’s nearby coworker overheard the conversation taking place and also asked his coworker to use a ladder instead of putting himself at risk by taking a shortcut. Contractor agreed to get a ladder and continue work.
Employee (anonymous) observed a contractor with one foot on a ladder and the other on top of a temporary power box. Employee stopped the contractor and coached him on the importance of ladder safety and the potential for falls and injury from improper ladder use. Contractor was very receptive and thanked employee for taking the time to approach him and express his concern. Contractor corrected himself and continued work.
Photo features (L-R) Laurel Harris with Pete Espinoza
September - Plant Scherer
Plant Scherer
While performing his daily work area hazard assessment at start of shift, Travis noticed the grating covering a 28” drain opening was damaged and would allow someone to go through if the grating was stepped on. Work was stopped until drain could be hard barricaded, and Safety Department notified. Plant Safety was also notified so that a repair order could be created to replace the drain cover.
Photo features Robert Travis Sargent
Q2 - Plant Greene County
Plant Greene County - Ash Pond Project
Mr. Collins, QC, was out in the field when he noticed on the east side of the pond where dump trucks were loading out from. He noticed the haul road was dry and the trucks travelling on the haul road was kicking up a lot of dust. Mr. Collins called all trucks to stop where they were and let them know they were kicking up too much dust. He then called a water truck to the haul road to wet it down. After the road had been wetted to stop dust, he then called the haul trucks on the radio to let them know they were able to go back to work.
A Track-hoe operator was loading an off-road truck with ash on the east cut. Mr. McDowell, dozer operator noticed the truck driver step out of the cab of his truck while being loaded. Mr. McDowell called the track-hoe operator to stop the work, and called the truck driver and told him to get back in the cab of his truck. Mr. McDowell had a talk with the truck driver and coached him on the importance of staying in the cab of his truck while being loaded. Track-hoe operator thanked him for paying attention. The track-hoe operator did not see the truck driver get out of his cab as he was swinging around to load the truck. Track-hoe operator and truck driver thanked Mr. McDowell for watching out for them.
Photo features (L-R) Jonathan Collins, Marty McDowell, Charles Spangler, Terrell Parker, Darnell Harris, David Baker, Morris Longmire, George Hopson, Joseph Wyatt, James Gurganus, Woodrow Bullock not pictured.
June - Plant Schere
Plant Scherer
Noel observed an employee grinding material being held in his hand. He stopped his coworker and asked him to utilize a vise to secure the material so that he was not at risk for a hand injury. He also reminded his coworker that operating a grinder always requires two hands.
Victor (not pictured) observed an employee utilizing an impact gun to loosen bolts on a confined space door without gloves on. He signaled the employee to stop work and asked him to put on his impact resistant gloves before continuing with his task. He reminded his coworker that safety glasses, face shield, impact resistant gloves, and ear plugs were all required to operate that tool.
Photo features Noel Ramos
May - Plant Yates
Plant Yates
Employee noticed propane tanks near a coworker that was utilizing a cutting torch. Employee stopped his coworker and notified him of the hazard and assisted in relocating the propane tanks to a safe location.
Photo features Stephen Clem
April - Plant Barry
Plant Barry
Weldon stopped two electricians while they were attempting to drive a ground rod with a sledge hammer. He was able to share a past incident he witnessed when someone was doing the same task. He provided them a post driver to use to drive the ground rod.
While Sarah was performing an observation, a trailer carrying pipe passed her. She saw that one of the ratchet straps used to secure the pipes to the trailer had come loose and was dragging on the ground. She stopped the driver and they were able to secure the pipe before proceeding.
Groshawn stopped a forklift as it was carrying a load of sheet piles, because the strap used to secure the load had been cut. The forklift stopped and they were able to replace the damaged strap and continue.
Westech had a contractor on site to review upcoming work. When the contractor got to the water treatment site and out of their vehicle, they did not have the proper PPE on. Joseph stopped him and provided him the PPE he needed.
A sample was taken of the soil in an area. The test hole was not fully backfilled leaving an open hole without barricading. Dakota recognized the hazard and notified the supervision and safety pro. The hole was backfilled to eliminate the hazard.
An employee was using a sledgehammer to dislodge a piece of wood that was stuck in the tracks of a piece of equipment. Employee was not wearing safety glasses properly. Pat stopped him and explained why he needed to wear them correctly.
An excavator was clearing and grubbing when smoke started coming from the engine compartment. Cody noticed this, and contacted the operator to stop the excavator. They responded and discovered that there was no fire but the air conditioning hose busted and caused what appeared to be smoke.
Photo features Weldon Haddock (Eco Material), Sarah Hannah (Trans Ash), Groshawn Sellers (Trans Ash), Joseph Bush (WesTech), Dakota Hollingsworth (SDAC), Pat Defnall (SDAC) and Cody Dicks (SDAC)
April - Plant Barry
Plant Barry
Santana was preparing to attach rigging to an 11,000lb tank that was going to be lifted by crane onto a flatbed trailer. He noticed one of the pad eyes was poorly welded on and stopped work. The pad eye was rewelded and certified by QC department.
Photo features Santana Salazar
April - Plant Barry
Plant Barry
Arturo noticed large cracks running up the length of square tubing that supports two staircases he and his coworkers would be utilizing during their task. He stopped work, barricaded the area surrounding the staircases, and reported the issue to his supervisor and the safety department. Client was notified so necessary repairs could be scheduled.
Photo features Arturo Guzman
April - Plant Barry
Plant Barry
Freddy and his crew were tasked with building a scaffold. During his JSA/TSA walkaround he noticed temporary power lines that had been run overhead placing his coworkers at risk if those lines were energized and they were to start building the scaffold. He stopped work to contact his coordinator so the lines could be confirmed as deenergized and rerouted so they posed no risk to the scaffold building crew or anyone that would be utilizing that scaffold in the future.
Photo features Freddy Hernandez
April - Plant Barry
Plant Barry
Timmy and his crew were tasked with replacing insulation and lagging. While performing his JSA/TSA walkaround, he noticed a walkway near his work area that had damaged grating and handrails putting his coworkers at risk if they had utilized that path during work. Work was stopped so the area could be barricaded off while plant safety was notified.
Photo features Timmy Wooten
March - Plant Barry
Plant Barry
David was operating a bull dozer when a dump truck pulled behind him without notification. David stopped and called the truck driver over the radio and explained why they needed to communicate when they pull into the work area.
J.D. was driving the water truck on the ash pond. She noticed lightning in a storm moving into the area. She called her supervision and told them. The site was placed under a lightning stand down. She noticed the lighting before the detection apps did.
Molinda was operating an off road truck. There was a crew of laborers working in the ash pond without a guard vehicle in place for man on the ground protection. She stopped and also called for her coworkers to stop until the proper man on the ground protections were in place.
Severe weather was moving into the area. Trans Ash was placed under a lighting standdown. Brian saw that an employee was sitting outside of the cab of his equipment. Brian coached him on the importance of stopping and staying inside the grounded equipment during lightning.
Photo features David Odom (Trans Ash), J.D. Martin (Trans Ash), Molinda Jo Patterson (Trans Ash) and Brian Landrum (Trans Ash)
MArch - Plant Green
Plant Green
Ronnie McAlpine, Tractor operator, was dragging area 3.3 when he noticed in area 3 east a worker walking thru 3 east with the roller operators rolling out the area. The worker was walking in between the rollers as they were in motion.
Mr. McAlpine called an all stop to the roller operators on the radio and the worker walking thru the area. Tractor operator went over and had a conversation with the worker walking and the operators rolling. Tractor operator let the worker know he was not in a safe zone and was walking in an active work area. He also let the roller operators know they should have stopped rolling and talked with the worker about Man on the Ground procedures, and call the safety department. Mr. McAlpine called the Safety Manager, and he came out to location and retrained the operators and the worker on the man on the ground procedures. Everyone understood and said this would not happen again.
Photo features Ronni McApline
MArch - Plant Green
Plant Green
Front end loader operator was on the bus as the driver was dropping off personal at their equipment. While the personal were exiting the bus the driver engaged the bus from park to reverse.
The operator called all stop and had the driver put the bus back in park to allow the rest of the personal to exit the bus. The operator let the driver know he cannot put the bus in reverse while personal are exiting the bus and went over what could have gone wrong. The safety department was called out to location. Safety manager was told about the situation that happened, and a conversation took place, and the driver thanked the operator and safety department for the information and said that would not happen again.
Photo features Robert Hughes
MArch - Plant Green
Plant Green
Stephen Wilborn was passing by the laydown yard when he noticed an employee cutting the fittings off the 6-inch water pump hoses not wearing any PPE.
Employee called all stop and had a talk with the employee about working without wearing his PPE. Employee called the Forman and let him know what he just witnessed. The Forman came out to the laydown yard and spoke with the employee and retrained him on the proper procedures and PPE to be worn for the task. Employee thanked the Stephen and the Forman. He then put on all the proper PPE for the task, and went back to work.
Photo features Stephen Wilborn
February- Plant Green
Plant Green
One of our off-road truck drivers was heading out to area 4 on the ash pond. Mr. Bulock noticed on the right side of the haul road he was using; a service mechanic was working on a dozer. Mechanic did not identify his work area using the man on the ground hi-vis green cones.
Mr. Bulock pulled over, stopped the mechanic, and had a conversation on the sites procedure for Men working on the ground. He explained that the cones were to be out to protect him and others.
The Mechanic thanked him, and a called was made to another worker on the radio and asked to bring Hi- Viz green cones to the area to create a safe work zone, before proceeding back to work to work.
Photo features Woodrow Bulock
February- Plant Green
Plant Green
Our mechanic was working on one of our dozers in the field. The dozer operator exited the equipment to talk with the mechanic and did not have on his safety glasses.
Mechanic stopped the operator and reminded him of the importance of putting on his PPE before exiting his equipment. The dozer operator told him thanks for watching out for him.
Photo features David Baker
January - Plant Green
Plant Green
Mr. Harris noticed another truck driver backing down one of our cut roads to get loaded. As the driver was backing down the cut road, to be loaded, he turned his truck too far to the right side of the road and was getting close to the edge.
Mr. Harris immediately called driver on the radio and had him stop, then, had him pull forward. This repositioned his truck away from the edge and was back to the center of the haul road. The driver continued to back into position to get loaded. Driver thanked Mr. Harris for watching out for him.
Photo features Darnell Harris