Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. - Griffith,     Indiana                             
Category B3 - Agriculture, Forestry, Transportation, Mining & Utilities


The Enbridge Energy System carries crude oil and natural gas liquids through underground pipelines that span approximately 1,900 miles through seven states. It consists of nearly 3,500 miles of underground pipelines ranging from 12 to 48 inches in diameter. Enbridge employs over 400 experienced technical and professional workers. It delivers approximately 80 percent of the crude oil refined in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, 50 percent in the Chicago area, and nearly 100 percent in Wisconsin.

Health and safety awareness is integral to every aspect of its operations. The company has developed and implemented comprehensive systems that provide a structured approach to health and safety management. These systems ensure that standards are maintained and provide the resources to improve health and safety performances throughout the company.

Management actively participates in health and safety issues and is visible in the field, and promotes health and safety in discussion within the organization. Management also addresses health and safety concerns at the local level during monthly safety meetings. The company engages employees, temporary and contract employees, frequenters, and visitors through a grassroots approach. EHS representatives participate in two days of formal training in effective communication and learn how to conduct safety meetings. They are empowered to resolve concerns and stop unsafe work habits.

In 2006, the company hired two certified industrial hygienists and introduced hygiene training. The training program includes monitoring protocol, employee awareness, instrumentation introduction, training and database development. It implemented employee exposure testing for lab activities, open system tasks, tank gauging, and welding activities.

The company developed an Ergonomic Awareness package to educate employees of potential risk factors based on an external evaluation of potential ergonomic risks in the field. It includes recommendations unique to job positions.

All employees are trained in hazard identification and are empowered to correct any unsafe acts. Safety is built into job planning through a hazard assessment process.

Enbridge has a corporate health challenge that promotes off-the-job safety and health fitness. Elements of the program include a $75 quarterly reimbursement for achieving specified health attributes; a 50 percent reimbursement for health club membership or
equivalent equipment, and a $500 annual disbursement for preventative care health care visits.
 

Contact: Eric Williams, Senior Safety Coordinator, (219) 922-3133