Recent retiree receives safety recognition award

Pictured (from left) are Natalie McCord, MDS - Columbus District; Ed Mowrer, vice president - distribution operations AEP Ohio; Carl Ransom and retiree Paul West.

“Nothing I’ve been recognized for here can be done on one’s own.”

That’s the sentiment AEP Ohio distribution operations retiree Carl Ransom expressed June 17 when presented the Columbus District’s Paul F. West Safety Recognition Award.

Ransom, a Columbus line crew supervisor who retired May 31 after 34 years of service, was honored for consistently demonstrating “a thoughtful approach to upholding and promoting AEP’s safety rules and regulations, mentoring your peers and younger workers, and sharing knowledge gained and lessons learned through on-the-job experiences.”

“We are here today to honor Carl Ransom for the example he has set during his career at AEP,” said Natalie McCord, Columbus District manager-distribution system. “We want to recognize his safety record and his mentoring of fellow employees . . . all employees not just Columbus District employees. We value his contributions and the contributions you all make to working safely.”

She noted Ransom, who regularly shared his experiences in SHEMS, the company Safety & Health Event Management System for recording safety incidents, was known across the district as “Mr. SHEMS.”

“Thank you,” Ransom said. “I appreciate the recognition, but most things take more than one person. Everyone has a part. Nothing that I did in all my career was just Carl. I had good instruction. I had good linemen in front of me. I tried to learn from my failures.”

The Paul F. West Award was established in 2007 to recognize Columbus District employees whose behavior and beliefs best uphold the safety legacy set by the award’s namesake Paul West. A line mechanic A who retired from AEP Ohio in 2007, West worked his entire 35-year career without a recordable accident. West was the first recipient of the award named in his honor. The award was presented during a special recognition breakfast prior to the district’s monthly central safety council meeting.