Safety is a core value throughout the Utilities group at the University of Cincinnati. Utilities personnel routinely work near energized wires, intense heat, heavy equipment, moving vehicles, pressurized pipes and under other conditions that require exceptional safety measures and awareness.

In Utilities, “Think Safety” is our number one priority. We believe the safety of our personnel and the students in and around campus is paramount. Our goal is to complete "every day, every job, safely." We use various metrics to monitor the effectiveness of the group’s safety efforts. These metrics help guide us in our execution of activities which strengthen safety performance and most importantly safety culture.

Regardless of the job function or the level of risk involved, every Utilities employee is reminded often that safety is not the absence of injuries, but the readiness to respond to risk and the presence of controls. Before each job, we identify hazards and determine how to avoid them. We go over safety details with employees who will perform the work. While working, we watch out for each other and take action to correct unsafe conditions or behaviors when identified.

Reporting safety concerns is appreciated and protected, to remove any fear from employees to do so and to encourage open communication.

Safety is about people. People working together to ensure it is foremost in the mind of every action we take. Employees are empowered to be safe by cultivating a culture of caring, embracing learning, and encouraging a more proactive safety approach. Our ultimate objective is to create an environment where our employees work safe, every day on every job.