Author: Josh McCulloch

This article appeared in the Fall 2025 edition of EDA’s Distributor Magazine. View the full publication here.

---

At Oshawa Power, a commitment to safety is a core value and foundational part of our organizational philosophy, reinforcing public trust and enhancing quality of life for the people who live and work in our community. Our approach to safety blends proactive educational outreach with rigorous internal safety practices, creating a robust culture of safety that underscores our commitment to keeping every member of our local community and staff safe and sound, every day.

Inspiring Safety Education From a Young Age

Oshawa’s increasing electrical safety awareness begins with our connection to the youth in our community. The cornerstone of our education efforts, our Hazard Hamlet, was introduced in 1983. Regularly appearing at community events and in classrooms across Oshawa for more than 40 years, the interactive display has created lasting memories, inspired curious questions, and raised electrical safety awareness for thousands of kids across Oshawa. Through interactive demonstrations that depict realistic electrical hazards, we are able to actively engage young audiences, teach them how to avoid hazards across our community, raise awareness of the unseen hazards that exist, and impart responsible behaviours around electrical infrastructure. In many cases, the display is recognized by accompanying adults from their youth, confirming the impact our efforts have made in building awareness and a lasting connection within our community. Engagement and understanding of electrical hazard are showing up in requests for more information, and our electrical safety awareness is growing with improvements in our public safety surveys, specifically regarding the safe distance from both overhead and downed wires.

“Our commitment to community safety is fundamentally about trust. When we educate the youngest members of our community, we’re creating a lasting impact that empowers new generations to live safely, treat electricity with respect, and trust our organization to keep our city safe.”

– Daniel Arbour, President & CEO, Oshawa Power

Oshawa Power is listening to our community asking for more information and is also exploring new ways to modernize our safety programming to meet evolving needs. Plans are underway to develop new digital content and interactive online experiences supporting the Hazard Hamlet to ensure safety resources are accessible and available to our community beyond local events and school visits.

---

Leading by Example

Oshawa Power’s internal practices reflect the same safety principles we promote through education.

This culture of safety is deeply embedded in our daily operations. From regular tailboard meetings and safety audits, to cross-departmental training and leadership engagement, every employee plays a vital role in maintaining our record of excellence. This consistency protects our team while fostering trust in our ability to keep our community safe while delivering a reliable supply of electricity to homes and businesses across Oshawa.

Our organization is also one of only four Ontario utilities with the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association’s COR® Certification. Meeting the requirements for this certification, including passing external audits, ensures that our team is consistently reviewing safety policies and procedures and creating a culture that values open, two-way communications regarding safety practices.

This year, our organization surpassed 1.5 million work hours without a Lost-Time Injury — a remarkable milestone reflecting over seven years of operations without a serious incident. We’re proud to invest that same commitment to safety back into the communities we serve.

Committed to a Safer, Smarter Future

Looking ahead, we continue to develop valuable partnerships with local organizations and educational institutions that allow us to expand the reach of our safety programs, raising awareness across generations and reaching new demographics. Oshawa Power’s commitment to continuous improvement and innovative safety education programs will continue to build strong connections with our community, reaching our city’s youth and their families, fostering a culture of safety that extends beyond our organization and across the City of Oshawa.

---

Last Week’s Crane Incident Emphasizes Importance of Powerline Awareness

Last week, more than 2,000 homes and businesses across Oshawa experienced a power outage after a crane accidentally contacted a 13.8KV overhead powerline. This contact knocked down a section of our wires, leaving our team to complete difficult repairs under potentially dangerous conditions. Thankfully for the crews located on site, the crane was being operated remotely, preventing any injuries. However, significant equipment damage occurred, both to our infrastructure and to the contractors equipment.

This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of powerline safety, especially on construction sites.

---

Understanding Ontario’s Limits of Approach

Ontario Regulation 213/91: Construction Projects outlines the safe “Limits of Approach” when working near electrical infrastructure. These standards specify the minimum safe distances required between workers, equipment, and energized powerlines. For powerlines between 750 volts and 15,000 volts (15 kV), like the 13.8KV line involved in this incident, the following minimum clearances must be maintained:

• Authorized Workers: At least 3 feet (0.9 metres)
• Equipment (cranes, backhoes, etc.): At least 10 feet (3 metres)

This regulation sets out the safe Limits of Approach for lines carrying different voltage levels, and full details can be found on the IHSA’s website.

Consistently following these guidelines is crucial in preventing incidents and ensuring safety on site.

---

Digging or Building? Always Call Ontario One Call First

If you’re planning any construction or landscaping work near powerlines, the safest first step is contacting Ontario One Call. This free service provides locates for underground utilities and important information about overhead lines.

Visit Ontario One Call or call 1-800-400-2255 at least five business days before starting work. It’s easy, free, and could save lives.

---

Essential Powerline Safety Tips for Everyone

• Look Up and Look Out: Always identify overhead powerlines before beginning work.
• Know Your Limits: Respect the safe distances set by the Limits of Approach guidelines.
• Stay Alert: Regularly remind your crew about powerline locations and safety measures.
• Ask for Help: Contact Oshawa Power directly if you’re uncertain or require safety guidance.

---

Together, Let’s Keep Oshawa Safe

Safety around electricity isn’t optional, it’s everyone’s duty. Working together, we can prevent power outages, equipment damage, and above all, keep each other safe in our community.

For additional safety resources, please visit our Safety & Outages Page.

Stay safe, Oshawa!

---

July 10 is National Lineworker Appreciation Day

Today, we want to say thank you to the lineworkers who keep our lights on and our homes powered every day. Our lineworkers do essential, dangerous, and often difficult work. They maintain and improve Oshawa’s local power grid, restore power under dangerous conditions during and after extreme weather, and help keep our community safe.

To celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day, we talked to some of our lineworkers about their jobs, their most memorable moments, and what it means to play an essential part in the foundation of our local community.

---

What inspired you to become a lineworker?

“When I was young, I remember seeing lineworkers up in bucket trucks and thinking it was the most badass job in the world. It seemed so exciting. I wanted to do something important like that when I grew up.”

“I love being outside and doing work with my hands. Linework lets me do both, and I get to help people every day. It feels good.”

“It seemed like the most exciting job around. Working up high, using big equipment, and helping others. It’s everything I hoped it would be.”

---

What is the most challenging part of your job?

“The weather is probably the hardest part. We have to work in rain, snow, heat, and cold. Even when the weather is terrible, people need power.”

“Learning about the new SmartGrid has been challenging. It’s a system that can automatically fix some problems. It’s very advanced, and we need to keep learning to ensure we get the most out of it.”

“Planning jobs carefully to keep everyone safe and productive is tough. Every job has many steps, and it’s important we get each one right.”

---

How do you prepare for working in bad weather?

“Good clothing is very important. I wear layers in the winter and drink lots of water in the summer. Being ready helps us stay safe and do our jobs well.”

“Lots of coffee helps, especially when it’s cold. I always pack extra gloves and socks because staying warm in the bucket can be tough.”

“Making sure we have the right gear like warm boots, waterproof coats, and extra clothes in the truck is important. We have to be prepared for anything.”

---

What is something most people don’t know about your job?

“Our job can be very dangerous. We always follow strict safety rules. Even small mistakes can cause serious injuries, so safety always comes first.”

“Restoring power can take longer than people expect. We don’t just flip a switch. We have to find the problem, fix damaged parts, and make sure everything is safe before turning the power back on.”

“We do a lot of driving in big trucks. People might not realize how careful we have to be when driving through traffic and tight spaces. Safe driving is a big part of the job.”

---

What is a job or outage that you’ll never forget?

“The ice storm in 1998 was unforgettable. We worked long hours, day and night. Trees and power lines were everywhere. It was tough work, but people in the community showed their thanks. That made it easier.”

“Going to the U.S. after a hurricane to help was something I’ll always remember. Seeing families who had lost so much and being able to help was powerful. They were so grateful for what we did and the way our industry banded together across borders was inspiring.”

“Helping build the electrical system for the Northwoods Business Park was special. I felt proud because it was not only a difficult job, but it will help grow our community.”

---

How does it feel knowing your work helps power your own community?

“It feels really good. Sometimes we miss holidays or special moments with our own families to help others. But when people stop to thank us, it means a lot. It makes the hard parts worth it.”

“There’s pride in driving around and seeing lights on, knowing we helped make that happen. It feels great knowing our work helps people in our own town.”

---

What is one message you would like to share with our customers across Oshawa?

“Please slow down and give us room when you see us working on the road. We want to get home safely, too.”

“Move over when you see our trucks. Your patience helps protect us and keeps everyone safe.”

---

To our lineworkers: THANK YOU!

Your hard work and dedication keep our community strong. Everyone at Oshawa Power, and everyone in our community, appreciate the work you do to keep the lights on across our city.

---

This Earth Day, we’re reflecting on how far Ontario has come and what lies ahead for our community.

In 2014, Ontario reached a major environmental milestone by completely phasing out coal-fired power plants. Just over ten years later, local utilities like Oshawa Power are proud to deliver some of the cleanest electricity anywhere in the world, generated primarily by nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy sources.

With Ontario’s electricity mix nearly 90 percent emissions-free, each time you switch on a light, charge your electric vehicle, or run your dryer, you’re contributing to a healthier environment.

---

---

As our industry continues to distribute cleaner electricity to homes and businesses across Ontario, we know that you will look to us to be leaders in sustainability. At Oshawa Power, we understand the role we play in the energy transition and are taking steps to showcase how we can all take steps to create a more sustainable tomorrow.

Our Sustainability Journey

Oshawa Power President & CEO, Daniel Arbour, recently had the opportunity to dive deeper into these topics on Mayor Dan Carter’s Real Talk podcast. This thoughtful conversation examines Oshawa’s sustainability journey, the role of local utilities, and how we’re preparing for the future of energy. You can listen to the full episode below:

---

---

For more than a decade, we have pursued and participated in programs that showcase innovation, promote sustainable choices, and help make Oshawa Power a more sustainable organization.

In 2024, we achieved some significant milestones in reducing our own environmental impact:

• We reduced emissions from our facilities by nearly 40 percent compared to 2023.
• We cut fleet emissions by 11.5 percent, thanks partly to the introduction of our first four hybrid pickup trucks. This marks the beginning of our transition to a fully hybrid light-duty fleet by 2030.

We’re also supporting cleaner transportation throughout Oshawa:

• We have installed and continue to manage a network of public electric vehicle chargers in Oshawa’s downtown area, making it easier than ever to go electric.
• We’ve expanded infrastructure to support Durham Region Transit’s new electric bus depot, where the first six electric buses have already hit the road.
• Additional infrastructure upgrades are being planned to support the Metrolinx expansion project, enabling more sustainable public transportation.
• And the shift to electric vehicles is gaining momentum: in Q1 2022, there were 631 registered EVs on the road in Oshawa. As of Q1 2025, that number has surged to 2,313, marking a 266% increase in just three years. We’re proud to support this growing adoption with the infrastructure and grid planning it requires.

Our partnerships in the community have been essential too. We collaborated with the City of Oshawa to create their Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan, designed to set clear targets and practical actions to significantly reduce emissions across the community. This plan helps Oshawa move towards a cleaner, healthier future by addressing sources of greenhouse gases, from transportation to energy use in homes and businesses.

Additionally, several local apartment buildings have transitioned to suite-level metering. This solution empowers tenants in multi-residential buildings to control their energy costs, encourages greater energy awareness, and contributes to substantial reductions in the overall energy intensity of these buildings.

Building the Grid of the Future

Our efforts go beyond just reducing emissions. We’re actively preparing the electricity grid to handle increased electrification from increases in EV and heat pump adoption, ensuring our system remains reliable and efficient:

• In 2024, we completed our EV Disaggregation Pilot Project, helping us better understand electric vehicle charging habits. We’ll be sharing detailed results and insights from this project on our website in the coming months. This information will help us better understand community charging habits, allowing us to design smarter solutions for electric vehicle adoption and grid management.
• We received approval to act as Distribution System Operator for two innovative pilot projects:
• Optimizing energy use at Durham Region’s long-term care homes.
• Testing managed charging solutions for electric vehicles at homes, multi-unit residential buildings, and public locations.

• We’re pursuing funding to develop our own managed charging solution, helping our customers save energy and reduce costs.
• In 2025, we’ll return to the Save On Energy program, providing valuable incentives for households and businesses looking to save on energy efficient upgrades.

Looking Ahead

We have exciting plans on the horizon. In 2027, we’ll move into our new headquarters, designed to be energy-efficient, sustainable, and environmentally responsible. We’ve also committed to publishing our first formal ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) report by 2027, increasing transparency around our sustainability efforts.

Many of you have expressed strong support for sustainability initiatives through your feedback and comments across our 2024 Customer Priority and Customer Engagement surveys, reinforcing our commitment to this important work.

Thank You, Oshawa

This Earth Day, we extend our gratitude to you, our customers, for supporting our shared vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Your support and participation help drive everything we do.

---

---

Together, we’ve accomplished a lot. But we’re just getting started.

Happy Earth Day from all of us at Oshawa Power!