The Safety Observation Solution (SOS) program has been used by Dakota Gas employees since 2015. Collectively, these employees have reported over 17,000 safety observations utilizing this system. “It started as a checklist that was updated monthly to account for hazards found during audits, outages, or based on weather seasons,” said Ryan Fisk, Basin Electric safety director. “It has continuously evolved over the years due to engagement from employees and Dakota Gas’s Joint Safety Committee.” The committee later determined that employees were unable to report anything outside the checklist, which reduced feedback. Thus, a change needed to be made.
As of 2024, the program is taking a new approach to identifying hazards in the work environment and providing solutions. Employees report safety observations to prevent or minimize potential injury or incident, identify underlying problems, improve safety ideas, and identify behaviors determined unsafe by employees, supervisors, or managers.
The program is managed by the safety committees at the facilities. These committees review the observation reports monthly to determine if a solution was implemented immediately, if a work request was written, or if action items need to be assigned to close out the safety issue.
These committees are an important reminder of why a safe workplace is essential. “I am a member of the Joint Safety Committee because this is my forever job, and I want to go home safely to my family every day,” said Brandon Sailer, electrical and instrumentation maintenance technician at Dakota Gas. “I joined the team to have my voice heard.”
Employees are the driving force behind the success of the program. “Our employees are idea generators that create solutions in real time because they understand how the work is done better than anyone,” Fisk said. “They are process owners that complete work by being creative and adaptive while identifying problems.”
The main objective of SOS is to allow employees to be heard and recognized. “Employees often find safety issues that are corrected right away or report safety issues that need further planning or work,” said Fisk. These issues must be recognized. “We want to hear from employees on how they are navigating risk and creating an environment where we can continuously improve.” Safety committees, by supporting evidence-based risk improvement, enhance safety culture by encouraging employees to share how they navigate risk and contribute to solutions.
As of November, over 250 SOS reports have been submitted by facilities that implemented the program in 2024. “Over 60 action items from safety observations have been completed and closed out this year,” said Fisk.
Already, the results are evident. “The program has gotten more people involved to watch their surroundings as they work,” Sailer said.
In support of creating consistent, measurable, and meaningful indicators of safety performance, all Basin Electric facilities now have the ability to report a safety observation and are encouraged to do so.
Basin Electric wants all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or who needs other assistance or accommodations, please contact us at 701-223-0441. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed or provide your contact information, and a Basin Electric Human Resources representative will contact you. Basin Electric is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer regarding race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and veterans status.
