One year ago, the Water Authority challenged its 500+ employees to reduce time lost to injury by more than half. The incentive: $500 for every worker – a share of the cost savings that would be realized by trimming injury time.

With Fiscal Year 2008 drawing to a close, the results of the challenge are in. Person-hours lost to injury in FY08 totaled about 11,000 – less than half of the 23,000-hour annual average seen over the previous three years. The resulting $500 incentive pay will appear in Water Authority paychecks issued this week. New employees will receive pro-rated amounts based on their length of service.

“This is an important step in establishing a safety-driven culture within the organization,” said Water Authority Chair Deanna Archuleta. “There is still room for improvement, but it’s a remarkable accomplishment. For our employees, it means a safer work environment – and for our rate payers, it means a more efficient, cost-effective utility. I commend the innovative leadership of the Water Authority and the tremendous effort by the employees to face the problem head-on and achieve this goal.”