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For immediate release
April 7, 2016 at 3:30pm
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Sarah Wiggers, 762-4177 or 240-2453

Chugach wins Governor's Innovation in Safety Award

Chugach Electric Association today was presented with the Governor’s Innovation in Safety Award for a product conceived and designed by Chugach employees. The award was announced at the 35th Annual Alaska Governor’s Safety & Health Conference at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.

The Innovation in Safety Award is presented to a company or group that has demonstrated excellence in innovation in safety and health systems that protect employees.

Chugach is being recognized for the Corflo Reel, which is used to deploy up to 125 feet of heavy casing used to protect electrical conductors during temporary power service. Prior to the invention of the Corflo Reel, Chugach linemen had to hand carry and unravel the 65’ to 125’ of Corflo lines which can weigh from 60 to 100 pounds. By putting the Corflo on a reel, the heavy casing is put on the back of a truck and reeled out—decreasing the chance of injury on the job site, and making the process faster and more efficient.

“I’m very proud of our team and the innovation and ingenuity demonstrated with the Corflo Reel,” said Brad Evans, CEO of Chugach Electric Association. “Safety is key to everything we do, and this is a perfect example of engineering control at its best.”

The Corflo Reel was designed by Chugach senior shop mechanic Richard Dusenbury in conjunction with the Chugach warehouse staff and shop mechanics. The problem of the heavy tubing was brought to the Chugach Safety Committee in 2009, where initial ideas were discussed. Between 2009 and 2012, the first designs were fabricated and tested. Since 2012, the latest design has been streamlined and has been installed on Chugach trucks.

See how the Corflo Reel looks here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5MLjz3BQKCsi-4S_1x7ZWA