Get the Buzz... Achieving Excellence: Celebrating Success Across Our Steam Outages

At APM, our commitment to safety and quality is more than a motive - it is the foundation of every project we undertake. We are proud to highlight three recent Steam outages where our teams demonstrated exceptional dedication, technical expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the Life Saving Rules. From industrial turbine inspections to complex generator rewinds, our craftspeople have set a high bar for excellence.

BP Whiting: A Year of Sustained Performance

The project at BP Whiting in Gary, Indiana served as a masterclass in long-term operational success. Spanning from July 2025 to August 2026, this major industrial turbine and generator inspection required a steady hand and consistent focus, resulting in 15,958 manhours completed with zero safety or quality incidents. While 23 Millwrights filtered through the site over the course of the year, a dedicated core of four - Andrew Diller, Gary Able, Noel Fuentes, and David Peck - remained for the entire project duration, contributing significantly to its success. Project Superintendent, Thomas Grayson, was instrumental in this achievement, successfully performing a dual role as both Field Engineer and Superintendent. His performance earned a perfect CX score of 5 and praise from GE Vernova Service Manager, Danny Brooks, who commended his ability to navigate challenges at every corner. To maintain this high standard, the team integrated the Line of Fire Life Saving Rule into their toolbox talks, ensuring that potential hazards were identified and addressed before the start of every shift. During valve work (when tensioning/de-tensioning of the springs), the Millwrights used barriers and no-touch tools to ensure they were out of the line of fire. Lastly, during installation of the leak-off line piping, bracing & blocking were used to guard the Millwrights from line of fire around pipe stress.

Bridgeport: Proactive Safety in Action

During the industrial turbine and generator outage in Bridgeport, Connecticut, from February to April 2026, our team proved that the most important tool on any job site is the courage to speak up. The project was a total team effort, with 10 Millwrights per shift overseen by Day Shift Superintendent, Luke Isner, Night Shift Superintendent, Roger Jones, and Night Shift Project Superintendent, Jason Bowen. Supported by dedicated APM Safety Champions, Don Rader and Fred Fishman, the crew completed 9,104 manhours with 100% safety and quality. The project was defined by the team’s commitment to safety, most notably when a leak-by issue occurred in isolated valves. Recognizing potential hazards onsite, Superintendent, Luke Isner, took immediate action by escalating the situation, submitting a formal Safety Concern, and stopping all work to remove the crew from the deck until the situation was fully resolved. Throughout the outage, the Superintendents and the Safety Champion utilized daily toolbox talks to emphasize relevant Life Saving Rules (Work Authorization, Confined Space), ensuring that every crew member remained vigilant and protected.

EC Gaston: High-Intensity Execution

The outage at EC Gaston in Wilsonville, Alabama, showcased our team’s ability to manage high-volume, complex technical work while maintaining an impeccable safety record. Mobilizing in February 2026, a total of 50 craftspeople worked across two shifts to complete two generator major inspections, along with a controls upgrade and valve maintenance for units 2 and 3. Under the leadership of Day Shift Superintendent, James Ratliff, and Night Shift Project Superintendent, Jesse Carpenter, the team successfully executed 13,349 manhours without a single injury or quality issue. The project reached a successful on-time completion, demonstrating the efficiency and technical agility of our crews when handling multi-unit scopes. By maintaining a rigorous focus on operational excellence, the team at Gaston upheld the APM standard, ensuring that even under tight timelines, safety and quality remained the top priority.

We congratulate all our teams at BP Whiting, Bridgeport, and EC Gaston! Your dedication to the APM values ensures that we continue to provide the highest level of service to our customers while keeping every member of our team safe.