Attendees learn bite prevention, driving safety and more.

When he woke up on Friday, June 29, Entergy contractor Lee Wheelis of West Monroe didn’t think he’d get attacked by a dog that day. But that’s exactly what happened to him at Entergy’s first meter reading operations contractor safety summit, held at the KAST Center in Clinton, Miss.

Mitzi Robinson, founder and president of Bulli Ray Enterprises, was on hand that day to train attendees on dog bite prevention. And for part of her session, she needed a very special volunteer. Wheelis became part of the program when he offered to suit up in protective gear and help demonstrate what happens when a dog attacks.

“When I started reading meters 15 years ago, we were expected to read the meter whether there was a bad dog sitting by it or not,” said Wheelis, who works with Contract Callers, Inc.

“Now, we tell employees and contractors to avoid mean dogs. Not only that, we train our employees to deal with aggressive dogs. I just think it shows that we care more about our people. No one should have to get hurt just so we can do business.”

In addition to sessions with Robinson, a group of about 80 contractors and Entergy employees learned boating safety tips from Jay Culotta of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, safe driving techniques from Mississippi State Trooper Otis Easterling, and human performance techniques from
David Bowman. Participants rounded out the day with Arcs and Sparks sessions, presented by Steve Sullivan, and meter safety training with Danny Waldrop and Burnell Sens.

“The sessions today have been really good,” said Brian Clegg, vice president of Baker Services, which provides meter services to Entergy locations in Mississippi, Texas and Arkansas. “I’ve discovered some new resources today. The dog bite prevention presentation was very effective, and I could see us bringing that session to our business for a train the trainer. It’s definitely been eye-opening.”

Event organizers put the program together to help extend Entergy’s comprehensive employee safety
program to contractors. A core team of more than 20 Entergy employees worked for nearly two months to plan the gathering. “Contractor safety is important to us because contractors are an extension of our workforce,” said Ed Smith, senior customer service specialist and event organizer. “Our goal is a commitment to safety not just for our employees, but for anyone who works at Entergy.”

As a result, employees organized a packed half-day of rotating sessions, ending with a luncheon that allowed for networking.

“I have absolutely found value in today’s event, and I hope we continue with more events like this in the future,” said Chris Kardos of Accu- Read Services. “I will flow some of the information I’ve heard today into presentations and training sessions with our front-line employees.” The summit supports the safety and health focus area of the Power On! utility business strategy.