Education & Loss Control

In 2008, MREA redesigned its dues formula, as approved by the members. The formula calls for MREA loss control services to become self-supporting. Browse frequently asked questions about the new service strategy below. If you do not find the answer to your question, please contact us with your concerns.

How does MREA Loss Control support members' loss control programs?
How did Loss Control Service's role change with the new plan?

1. How does MREA Loss Control support members' loss control programs?

Members use three basic methods to manage loss control programs. Some employ full-time loss control coordinators or directors; MREA generally supports these operations through consulting as needed.

Some member cooperatives employ a loss control director or contract a consultant as a group. For these co-ops, MREA primarily provides training services. Other members use MREA exclusively for support with regulatory compliance issues as well as employee training.

Prior to 2008, member co-ops received eight on-site safety and loss control service visits included in their basic membership dues. Currently, all MREA members receive four on-site service visits. Revenues from loss control training and education events and other service programs fund these visits. Additional on-site services are provided as needed, on a per visit or consultation fee basis.

2. How did the MREA Loss Control Service's role change with the new plan?

Under the new plan, the emphasis on overall loss control efforts was reduced, with a new focus on technical and regulatory-related training necessary for safe electrical operations. However, identifying and preventing injury and loss remains an important service.

3. How did the Loss Control Specialist role change?

In the new need-based service model, Loss Control Specialists assume a more consultative role when working with members. This account management type of service requires more planning and goal setting with individual members to be effective.

4. How else has the service changed?

MREA Loss Control instructors attended specialized training programs to expand and improve on their skills and capabilities. Instead of working with just one instructor, cooperatives now benefit from a variety of instructor skill sets, as our instructors rotate visits to cooperatives. Most split-day scheduled visits were eliminated to improve member service. Training programs specific to electric utility operations were developed. The statewide loss control committee actively provides guidance regarding the training needs of the members. In addition, a formal reporting process was implemented to improve communication with our members.

5. How does this fee compare to other resources in the industry?

MREA's fee base is competitive with similar services available from other organizations and provides the high-quality level of service our members need and expect.

6. What are MREA Loss Control Services' strengths?

MREA Loss Control's value is highly rated by member cooperatives in strategic planning surveys. Loss control offers a wide array of education and member support programs. Loss control staff possess a strong mix of capabilities and expertise including a collective 50+ years of experience as lineworkers, and 11 years as safety instructors, combined with extensive professional development.

7. What are the most significant challenges to the success of this loss control service plan?

Many members perceive the fee-based service as a negative option. Therefore, it was very important that the quality and value of the service improve. For example, the previous training visit strategy was inefficient in terms of reducing or eliminating member injuries or losses. However, the visits did provide a training resource necessary for employee safety and complying with regulatory training requirements, and were highly valued by line superintendents and safety directors. To improve efficiency and effectiveness, Loss Control instructors assumed a consultative and service management role. They now establish formal service objectives with members based mainly on safety-related training needs and organization injury and loss trends, and provide continuous service to meet those objectives.

MREA must continue to develop service plans for providing contracted or unbundled loss control services. Some fee-based contract services are currently provided and loss control will continue to develop this aspect of the operations. However, our services should be integrated with member cooperatives' entire operation, including electric utility construction, tree-trimming and other services.

As we continue to improve our service model, MREA has obtained new equipment and implemented online and electronic interactive training programs to increase efficiency and effectiveness. In the future, MREA hopes to develop a centralized training center.

8. What is the key to making this plan successful for MREA and the members?

The member-need based service model, particularly the fee-based service, relys heavily on meeting or exceeding our members' expectations. Value is a direct result of member satisfaction.

9. Is the service visit a full 8-hour day on-site?

No. An on-site visit means one day committed to that member, including travel and administrative time. A full-day visit (8 hours on-site) requires additional travel and administration time, which could increase the fee as much as 50%.

11. On average, how much time can we expect an instructor to be on-site?

An average service visit will be approximately 4 to 6 hours on-site and 2 to 4 hours for travel and administration time.

12. What is the benefit of this change to the members?

Core Loss Control services are still included as a benefit of membership in our members' basic dues. The move to fee-based services will help Loss Control become a self-supporting division of the Association. Loss Control is just one of many services developed to meet our members' need for industry-specific, affordable training and professional development, most of which has always been fee-based.

The current operations plan offers several benefits to individual members, such as the ability to combine their current internal safety resources with services available from MREA to more effectively meet individual cooperatives' needs. The plan will provide dedicated loss control program funding and expanded shared resources for all members.