The boiler contains a 2,500-degree fireball and 1,000-degree, superheated steam exerts a ton of pressure per square inch. Huge, spinning turbine blades make 60 revolutions every second and 230,000-volt electricity leaves the switching yard literally at the speed of light. This is the environment in which employees of Savannah Electric’s Plant McIntosh have operated for five years accident-free.

Safety this good is no accident. Plant McIntosh employees have carefully demonstrated this point in reaching the five-year milestone July 28, 2002, a record for Savannah Electric and among the best in Southern Company. An important state agency has also recognized the achievement: the Georgia Department of Labor’s “Award of Excellence” will be presented during the celebration.

Plant McIntosh employees have ingrained into their day to day work culture the safety message preached throughout the company. “Employees here know that safety is THE number one priority. Our safety focus has been taken to heart at this plant,” said Savannah Electric president and CEO Anthony James. “We are extremely proud of their efforts even as we encourage them to guard against the new threat of complacency.”

Plant McIntosh is home to one 160-mw steam turbine generator and eight 80-mw combustion turbines. Approximately 50 employees work at the plant.