September 18, 2020

Over the years, the city of Solon – located southeast of Cleveland – has been recognized as one of the safest cities in Ohio*. The word “safest” also can be applied to the line workers at The Illuminating Company’s (CEI) Solon Service Center.

“The employees in our Lines group are very detail-oriented when it comes to safety,” said Eric Wilson, manager, Operations Services. “Whether they are holding a job briefing or completing a task in the field, they always dot the i’s and cross the t’s, making sure everyone is on the same page and safe work practices are followed.”

This attention to detail has allowed the group’s 12 employees to achieve five years without incurring an Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)-recordable injury.

Another aspect of the group’s success is the concern employees have for each other, according to Juan Morell Jr., supervisor, Regional Operations. “The Lines group is a tight-knit family,” said Juan. “They work well together and genuinely care about each other. The best way I can think to describe them is as a band of brothers.”

Juan, who has more than 30 years of service with CEI, has worked at larger service centers, but he believes Solon’s smaller size makes it special. “It’s amazing how much work a group of people can accomplish when everyone is pulling in the same direction.”

Eric is grateful to have experienced Regional Operations supervisors like Juan and Greg Lowe on his team. “They work closely with the line workers and tell them that if they set proper goals and do things the right way, safety will follow,” Eric said.

Bargaining-unit employees at Solon are represented by the Utility Workers Union of America (UWUA) Local 270.

* Rated by Movoto Real Estate and SafeWise.com.