BARC Celebrates 1 Million Hours Without a Lost-Time Accident

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2026

CONTACT: Amanda Cunningham

PHONE: (540) 679-6851

EMAIL: acunningham@barcelectric.com

Safety isn’t just a priority for BARC, it’s a core value.

In December 2025, BARC Electric Cooperative and BARC Connects proudly announced a major milestone: 1 million consecutive hours without a lost-time accident. This achievement reflects the cooperative’s safety culture and the daily commitment of all its employees to protect one another while serving the community and its members.

Reaching 1 million safe work hours is a significant accomplishment in the electric utility industry. BARC employees routinely work in challenging and high-risk environments. From line construction and maintenance to fiber operations and office support, every role contributed to this milestone by putting safety first.

Stewart Green, director of safety, said, “This milestone demonstrates the professionalism, teamwork, and accountability our employees show every day. I couldn’t be prouder of their dedication to keeping themselves and their coworkers safe.”

General foreman Stevie Clark said “I’ve worked here for 24 years and safety is our priority on every job. Hitting 1 million hours without a lost-time accident doesn’t happen by luck, it happens because everyone watches out for one another.”

While celebrating this achievement, the cooperative remains focused on the future.

“This isn’t a finish line. Safety is something we work at every single day. The same focus and teamwork that got us here is what will keep us going,” said CEO Bill Buchanan. “And just as importantly, this milestone matters to the families waiting at home. Our commitment to safety helps make sure everyone gets home the way they should — safe and healthy.”

Moving forward, BARC will continue to build on this accomplishment. Staying alert, looking out for one another, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. Every task, every shift and every decision is a chance to reinforce the habits that kept BARC incident-free – and to keep raising the bar. The focus now is consistency and continuous improvement. BARC doesn’t just celebrate this milestone; it sets the standard.

BARC is a member-owned utility that provides electric service to about 13,000 connections across five counties in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia including Bath, Alleghany, Augusta, Highland and Rockbridge. The cooperative was formed in 1938 as part of the Rural Electrification Act addressing the need for electricity to residents in rural areas. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.