Planning for Safety in the Transmission and Distribution Industry: Interview with: Karl Miller, Executive Manager, Kenny Construction Company, a solution provider company at the marcus evans Transmission & Distribution Summit 2012, discusses the key challenges facing the industry today and provides advice on how these fences can be overcome.

1. Planning for Safety in the
Transmission and Distribution Industry
t h e e x p e c t a t i o n s a nd p l a n n i n g As the industry becomes even busier,
considerations for the projects. Many the holes in the current process will
times procurement planning timelines come into light and the importance of
are constructed in a vacuum, and tracking materials will play a larger role
therefore is unrealistic when let out for in the completion of construction
bid. Another possible solution is the projects.
creation of Master Service Agreements
that allow for both the vendor and the How can the balance between
customer to plan on a quarterly/annual experienced resources and risk
basis and allow for flexibility at the profile be achieved?
project level.
As the industry is so active at the
These two methods can help reduce moment, experienced individuals are
Interview with: Karl Miller, customer misunderstandings and allow very sought after. Having experienced
Executive Manager, Kenny for the reservation of fabrication slots people in the team reduces risk.
Construction Company which will in turn allow for better Splitting the work pie up into pieces,
planning timelines for projects. and having numerous companies
working on the job instead of just one,
T h e p o w e r t ra n s m i s s i o n and Conservative designs in engineering are distributes the risk. If one company
distribution industry is facing the need bringing up costs. Engineers should find does not provide the work needed, the
to find answers to major material lead a balance between optimized and whole project will not be ruined.
times, a limited qualified workforce, and conservative designs. Program
a greater need to provide visibility to managers need to help customers Why do you consider safety of
on-hand inventory levels for capital understand these costs before engineers workers as paramount?
projects. Karl Miller, Executive Manager, start formulating their ideas.
Kenny Construction Company, Safety is in everything we do because
highlights these concerns in our The industry is facing a shortage of we work in an inherently dangerous
conversation below. qualified individuals. Safety and quality business. The lack of planning on
must continuously be emphasized as a construction means that we are not
From a solution provider company at core value, so that a lack of experience fulfilling our responsibilities as engineers
the upcoming marcus evans does not amount to injuries on the job. and managers. Planning the work better
Transmission & Distribution Summit reduces risk and having a secure
2012, in Dallas, Texas, November What procedures should be environment for workers eliminates the
12-14, Miller comments on the considered to better manage chance of losing someone on the job.
imperative importance for safety to materials? No amount of investment or money can
prevent work injuries, but also to attract make up for that.
a new labor force to replace the aging Traditionally, line companies have not
one. had accurate material inventory records
because there have not been external
What are some of the major
challenges that face the
factors which forced an accurate
accounting method. In today’s market, Safety and
quality must
transmission and distribution the scarcity of supply for critical and
industry today? common components has forced each
project to procure materials in a smaller
Lately we are seeing lead times on
critical components like steel poles are
time span on the projects, which
therefore increases the need to accurate continuously be
emphasized
increasing due to the current and and transparent materials tracking. This
projected amount of work in the market job should be done by individuals who
place. One way that manufacturers take pride in solely being responsible for
should look to increase production and
decrease lead times is expanding or
materials, and see the importance of
materials before they are needed. A as a
core value
building new facilities and adding extra software system, transparent for all to
work shifts to decrease the time it takes see, would reduce the amount of human
to get products out of the door. error and lift the fog of confusion that
Education of the customer base normally surrounds inventory levels on
(utilities) is critical to managing capital projects.

2. About the Transmission & Distribution Summit 2012
The Energy Network - marcus
evans Summits group delivers
This unique forum will take place at The Westin Stonebriar, Dallas, Texas,
peer-to-peer information on November 12-14, 2012. Offering much more than any conference, exhibition or
strategic matters, professional trade show, this exclusive meeting will bring together esteemed industry thought
trends and breakthrough leaders and solution providers to a highly focused and interactive networking event.
innovations.
The Summit includes presentations on transmission development, electric utility
systems maintenance methodology and how to efficiently manage a critical
infrastructure audit.
www.t-dsummit.com
Please note that the Summit is a
closed business event and the
number of participants strictly
Contact
limited. Maria Gregoriou, Journalist, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: + 357 22 849 400
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
For more information please send an email to info@marcusevanscy.com
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About Kenny Construction Company
For over 85 years, KENNY has committed to providing clients with solid project performance and management. KENNY is
recognized as a national leader among electrical power contractors, and has evolved into an industry-leading rehabilitation
contractor utilizing cutting-edge trenchless and underground construction technologies and processes. Today, KENNY is uniquely
positioned as a leader with a reputation for excellence, innovation, and safety unmatched in the construction industry.
www.kennyconstruction.com
About marcus evans Summits
marcus evans Summits are high level business forums for the world’s leading decision-makers to meet, learn and discuss
strategies and solutions. Held at exclusive locations around the world, these events provide attendees with a unique opportunity to
individually tailor their schedules of keynote presentations, think tanks, seminars and one-on-one business meetings.
For more information, please visit: www.marcusevans.com
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To view the web version of this interview, please click here: www.t-dsummit.com/KarlMiller