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Ontario Electrical Safety Awards: The 2025 Results Are In!
From classrooms and research labs to high-risk job sites and cutting-edge energy projects, the 2025 winners of the Ontario Electrical Safety Awards reflect the full spectrum of the evolving electrical sector.
Each winner has made a unique contribution to advancing electrical safety in Ontario.
On this page:
- Meet the Winners
- Winner Spotlight: Licensed Electrical Contractor Recognition Award for 2025
- Winner Spotlight: Public Safety Officer Recognition Award for 2025
- ICYMI: 2025 Annual Meeting & Safety Awards Recap
- Nominate a Safety Leader: Coming Soon in 2026
- Reasons for Entering the Awards
Meet the Winners
The 2025 Ontario Electrical Safety Award recipients recognized exceptional contributions to safety in the areas that presented the greatest harm to Ontarians: Powerline Safety, Worker Safety, as well as Consumer and Home Safety.
The 2024 Ontario Electrical Safety Award recipients hailed from across the province and demonstrated meaningful leadership and achievements in electrical safety.
Powerline Safety: Chris Connelly of Aecon Utilities
Recognized for his transformative impact on safety practices at Aecon Utilities, Chris Connelly led the development of a comprehensive, competency-based training and qualification program for powerline technicians. Additionally, Chris overhauled Job Hazard Assessments to ensure they reflected real field conditions and evolving client standards. Chris’s efforts resulted in a measurable increase in worker confidence and field preparedness. Notably, there was a 40% reduction in near-miss safety incidents and zero recordable injuries tied to tasks covered by revised assessments.
Worker Safety: Oneida Energy Storage
Honoured for its exceptional safety performance in delivering Canada’s largest operational energy storage facility. Five project partners — Northland Power, Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation, Aecon, NRStor and Mississaugas of the Credit Business Corporation — worked together to build a unified safety-first culture supported by a joint monitoring framework, extensive workforce training and over 550 safety inspections. At the height of construction, hundreds of people were working on the project, logging nearly 300,000 hours without a single lost-time injury.
Consumer and Home Safety: London Hydro
London Hydro was spotlighted for building lifelong safety habits for young Ontarians through their School Electricity Safety program. Running for over 30 years, the program delivers interactive, age-appropriate learning for students in grades 3 to 8 across the London region. In the past year alone, the program reached over 6,235 students across 33 schools. By constantly evolving the subject-matter to reflect the safety needs of today’s youth, the program serves as a model for long-term investment in community education.
Winner Spotlight: Licensed Electrical Contractor Recognition Award for 2025
In 2025, Phase Electric Limited was the recipient of ESA’s Licensed Electrical Contractor Recognition Award (LECRA).
This award, first introduced in 2020, was created to shine a spotlight on contractors who go above and beyond — not only in upholding electrical safety on the job, but in consistently delivering exceptional service to their customers.
Called to a high-risk, multi-purpose facility in Thunder Bay — home to seniors, children and brain injury patients — Phase Electric Ltd. stepped up in the face of severe electrical hazards that had already caused power outages and dangerous arcing events. Despite being based 12 hours away, they drove to the site, worked nearly a month to correct the issues and collaborated closely with ESA’s inspectors. Their repairs — including over 500 fixtures — helped protect some of Ontario’s most vulnerable residents and set a powerful example for LECs across the province.
Winner Spotlight: Public Safety Officer Recognition Award for 2025
In 2025, Dr. Behdin Nowrouzi Kia and ReSTORE Lab were the recipients of ESA’s Public Safety Officer Special Recognition Award.
The award recognizes those who approach safety from new angles — tackling risks that are too often overlooked and working to create safer conditions not just on job sites, but across the entire life and culture of the trade.
Dr. Behdin Nowrouzi Kia and ReSTORE Lab have become leading voices in reimagining what safety means for Ontario’s electricians — treating physical and mental well-being as essential to the health and sustainability of the sector. Dr. Behdin has led province-wide research to identify the stressors electricians face, including chronic physical strain and the effects of burnout, stigma and isolation. Through evidence-based insights, education and practical toolkits, their work is helping shift the industry toward a more psychologically safe, inclusive and supportive environment.
ICYMI: 2025 Annual Meeting & Safety Awards Recap
Catch up on this year’s award winners, key accomplishments and insights from the 2024 Ontario Electrical Safety Report — all featured at our 2025 Annual Meeting and Safety Awards.
Watch 2025 Event Video:
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Want a Better Understanding of ESA’s Performance Over the Past Year? Read our 2025 Annual Report:
[insert downloadable Annual Report]
Want to Review a Summary of the State of Electrical Safety in Ontario? Read ESA’s 2024 Ontario Electrical Safety Report
[insert downloadable OESR]
Nominate a Safety Leader: Coming Soon in 2026
This year’s winners set a high bar — demonstrating leadership, innovation and impact across Ontario’s electrical safety landscape. We look forward to celebrating the next group of electrical safety champions in 2026. The nomination window for next year’s Ontario Electrical Safety Awards will open in the spring of 2026. Stay tuned for details on how to apply.
The Award Categories
Powerline Safety
Entrants in this category should highlight initiative(s) focused on the prevention of electrical injuries and fatalities due to powerline contacts.
Worker Safety
Entrants in this category should highlight initiative(s) focused on the prevention of serious electrical injuries and electrocutions on the job.
Consumer and Home Safety
Entrants in this category should highlight initiative(s) focused on the prevention of electrical injuries and fatalities at home and in the community.
Reasons for Entering the Awards
Nominating an individual or organization for their commitment to improving safety builds a culture of safety and encourages others to contribute to the safety landscape.
Winning an Electrical Safety Award also gives individuals and organizations an opportunity to:
