Mesa Water Safety Record Hits Level of Excellence as It Approaches Four Years without a Lost Time Accident

Mesa Water District (Mesa Water®) is approaching a remarkable milestone of four years without a lost time accident due to a robust environmental health and safety program that has led the District to a “gold standard” of safety performance.

Mesa Water’s overall safety rating improved 15 percent between 2014 and 2017, with an increase of 50 percent since 2012, raising its safety performance rating to a best-in-class level. Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) audits are completed regularly, acknowledging high marks for the District’s policies, practices, training, and recordkeeping. The District’s most recent audit was conducted in April 2017.

“Mesa Water is nearing four years of no lost time accidents because our entire organization, from our staff and management team to the Board of Directors, holds themselves accountable to the highest of safety standards,” said General Manager Paul Shoenberger. “We are committed to safe work practices to avoid injuries and accidents, which in turn reduces claims and saves money for our customers,” Shoenberger added.

Since 2014, workplace safety experts British Standards Institution Group (BSI) has conducted safety audits of 24 required programs at Mesa Water, provided onsite safety support, and ensured proper training and program implementation with District staff. Operational training, evaluation and testing, as well as review of new and changing safety and environmental regulations, are identified early to ensure Mesa Water remains compliant.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mesa Water is well below the national average for reportable injuries, with less than half the total number of reportable injuries as similar water, sewer, and other utilities throughout the U.S.

About Mesa Water

Founded on January 1, 1960, and governed by a publicly-elected, five-member Board of Directors, Mesa Water is an independent special district that provides water service to 110,000 residents in an 18-square-mile service area that includes most of the City of Costa Mesa, parts of Newport Beach, and John Wayne Airport. Mesa Water provides nearly 100 percent local supplies to its customers due to the expansion of the Mesa Water Reliability Facility. Visit www.MesaWater.org, follow @MesaWater on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or call us at 949.631.1200 to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170626006125/en/