BIRMINGHAM, Ala., April 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The week of April 18, Southern Nuclear hosted renowned safety presenter Candace Carnahan at high schools near each of its plant sites and the corporate office to educate students on the importance of maintaining safety awareness to avoid preventable accidents.

Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is located in Birmingham and operates Alabama Power's Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala., and Georgia Power's Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga., and Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga.

"Southern Nuclear's top priority is the safety of our employees and plant neighbors," said Joe Parham, Southern Nuclear Fleet Safety and Health manager. "We partnered with Candace to promote safety to students in our communities and prepare our future workforce for what will always remain our top priority in everything we do."

Candace Carnahan shared her personal story about a devastating workplace incident in which she lost her lower left leg at the age of 21. She was working in a paper mill during her summer break from college, and while using a shortcut she picked up from fellow workers, her foot became caught in a conveyor belt that had no emergency stop system. A nearby worker was able to stop the conveyor and save Carnahan's life. Now, she uses her experience to share a positive message with audiences on eliminating preventable injuries.

"The first step in not getting hurt is knowing that you can be," she says.

"Our students were energized by Candace. She truly has a passion to promote workplace safety and warn others about the potential dangers of following the crowd," said Sabrina Campbell, Toombs County High School Career Technical Instruction program coordinator.

Burke County High School energy student Ar'nyya Walden said, "She made me realize that I am not invincible." Ali Gilbert added, "I now realize that getting hurt not only affects me, but it also affects my friends and family."

Carnahan's presentation put classroom learnings into perspective for Gabe Chavis, a pre-engineering student at Houston County Career and Technical Center.

"We designed conveyor systems and had to build emergency stops, and now I have a better understanding of why," he said.

Chavis' pre-engineering instructor, Shannon Jimmerson, said, "I love that this story has helped our students make the leap from classroom projects to real-world applications. It's so great when you see a student get it."

"Our students were in awe of Candace's story. Her message of 'if you see something, say something' resonated with them when dealing with workplace safety," said Zac McWhorter, Career Tech resource specialist with Shelby County Schools. "Since situations are always changing, students took her statement to heart about becoming too complacent in the workplace. One must always be aware and focused."

For more information on Carnahan, visit the Candace Carnahan website.

Southern Nuclear and Candace Carnahan tour schedule

April 18 – Plant Vogtle
Burke County High School, Waynesboro, Ga.
Richmond County Career Tech High School, Augusta, Ga.

April 19 – Plant Hatch
Toombs County High School, Lyons, Ga.
Jefferson Davis High School, Hazlehurst, Ga.

April 20 – Plant Farley
Northview High School, Dothan, Ala.
Houston Country Career and Technical Programs Center, Ashford, Ala.

April 21 – Corporate
Shelby County College and Career Center, Columbiana, Ala.
Shelby County High School, Columbiana, Ala.

About Southern Nuclear:
Southern Nuclear, a subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is one of the nation's leading nuclear energy facility operators. Producing safe, reliable and environmentally friendly nuclear energy, Southern Nuclear operates a total of six units for Alabama Power and Georgia Power at the Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant near Dothan, Ala.; the Edwin I. Hatch Nuclear Plant near Baxley, Ga., and the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant near Waynesboro, Ga. Southern Nuclear is the licensee of two new nuclear units currently under construction at Plant Vogtle, which will be the first nuclear units constructed in the United States in more than 30 years. Southern Nuclear employs more than 3,500 skilled and dedicated professionals who are committed each day to nuclear and personal safety and the health and safety of the public. The company's headquarters is based in Birmingham, Ala.
Twitter: @SouthernNuclear; Facebook: facebook.com/southernnuclear;
www.southerncompany.com/southernnuclear

About Southern Company:
With more than 4.5 million customers and approximately 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a 2014 Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company earned the 2014 National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development, and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com

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SOURCE Southern Company