Viking Gas Transmission Company
Chippewa Falls & Osceola Stations
Category B1 - Agriculture, Forestry, Transportation, Mining & Utilities

Viking Gas Transmission Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy, is an interstate natural gas transportation pipeline that operates and serves gas markets in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. With employees headquartered at the Osceola and Chippewa Falls compressor stations, Viking Gas regards worker and public safety as fundamental values. The company's top priority is its commitment to safety and health protection in order to provide safe and reliable natural gas to thousands of customers.

Its efforts have paid off. In total, the combined company hours worked without a lost workday accident have reached over 4.4 million hours. And in 2001, the Chippewa Falls District celebrated a landmark 41 years without a lost workday accident-dating back to its inception in 1960. The Osceola district has not had a lost workday accident since 1967, and the Viking Hallock District in Minnesota has achieved over one million hours without a lost workday accident. Additionally, no member of the public has been injured since the company began operation in 1960.

The company is committed to providing resources to ensure worker health and safety, and providing protective equipment, conducting work site audits, and preventing, minimizing and controlling hazards. Employees hold regular safety tailgate meetings and discuss potential hazards before jobs and provide recommendations. All types of accidents, injuries and near misses are investigated by the immediate supervisor and reviewed by the local safety committee, which provides corrective actions to prevent similar type accidents.

Viking's safety and health progress is tracked through a monthly report of total hours worked and accidents or injuries for each work location. The safety and health performance of the company is evaluated based upon year-end results and employees are rewarded for good safety performance through an incentive plan. Viking annually meets with local government emergency organizations and provides an updated emergency plan and booklet for the Viking facilities that include maps, directions and contact information. The company also conducts an annual mock emergency to test its employees on emergency procedures.

Contact:
Terry Carlisle, Manager of Field Operations, Safety and Training
Phone (218) 346-6150
General questions: Sherry.M.Hiller@xcelenergy.com