Gaining perspective

Former Xcel Energy lineman to share experience during CVTC’s Safety Day

By Alyssa Van Duyse

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Kellen Schmidt never planned to be a keynote speaker.

Years ago, as an Xcel Energy lineman, his future was in building and repairing powerlines. Unfortunately, that also included many close calls with distracted drivers while he and his coworkers fixed electrical poles near roadways.

After one too many close calls, Schmidt and fellow lineman Scott Knight turned their frustration into action by changing a Minnesota law in 2019 to provide more protection for roadside workers.

But just a few years later, Schmidt’s vehicle was rear-ended by a semi-trailer, ending his 12-year career as an electrical lineman.

Schmidt’s injuries reduced strength in his dominant right side, caused a brain injury affecting his memory, vision, and speech, and led to depression.

After two years of intense recovery, Schmidt now works as an Xcel Energy Distribution Operations Blue Hat – a role that allows him to advocate for safety.

“I went into the blue hat role to promote and be a safety advocate, making sure my Xcel Energy frontline workers do the right things so they can get home to their loved ones each night,” said Schmidt, 36, of Belle Plaine, Minn.

Schmidt will tell his story to a crowd at Chippewa Valley Technical College during its Safety Day event– a hands-on conference where participants will learn about a wide range of safety and health-related topics from local experts – on Friday, Oct. 4.

Schmidt wants participants to gain specific takeaways about safety from his experience.

“Rules and laws can be put in place to do the right things and help with safety, but it’s up to everyone to own safety and to own accountability to make sure something doesn’t happen to you,” he said. “Safety rules are written for a reason. We need to hold one another accountable.

“When someone is injured or killed, it doesn’t only affect that individual. It affects the entire workgroup, their families and their communities.”

Claire Lindstrom, CVTC business development and continuing education specialist, said as Schmidt talks about his experience, participants will understand better the role that safety plays on the job.

Aside from Schmidt’s presentation, Safety Day will provide current information on the most relevant safety topics in today’s industry. Participants will choose from three conference tracks – pick individual sessions or complete an entire track.

“Updating your safety skills is crucial to maintaining a healthy environment,” said Rich Stangl Jr., program director and instructor of the Industrial Safety training program at CVTC. “It’s important to have your finger on the pulse of the most current safety information available and to maintain a positive safety culture. We offer programs like this at CVTC so businesses and their employees can gain the most up-to-date information in relation to safety.”