The typical vending machine in America accepts a dollar or so at a time to dispense junk food that offers maybe five minutes of high-calorie satisfaction. But with recent trends to use vending machines to dispense items for maintenance, repair and operations, TECO has a new option for increasing the safety of its team members – something that can satisfy everyone.
Peoples Gas’ Channelside facility introduced the concept first, followed by two additional machines installed by Tampa Electric’s Electric Delivery team – one each at the company’s Central and Eastern Operations facilities. With personal protective gear and other self-help items available, company team members can access the machines any time, day or night, to get what they need to stay safe and successfully complete their work.
That’s right: Gloves, safety glasses, small tools, protective vests and more are available to team members with their company ID at the touch of a button.
Rob Jennings, manager of Warehousing, Stores and Investment Recovery, led the effort to purchase the vending machines along with supervisors Darrell Purifoy and Ronnie Rodriguez, Buyer/Analyst Glenda Van Petten, Lead Line Supervisor Bill Parmley and Technology Consultant David Claridge. The biggest reason behind the vending machines is obvious – safety first. But 24/7 access is important too.
“There’s literally no way we can think about safety too much,” Purifoy said. “Every possible action we can take to help keep our team members safe is worthy of consideration. It just so happens that the vending machine option is great to help us not only support our safety priorities, but it also reduces waste and ensures that our people can get the supplies they need.”
The success of the vending machines in Electric Delivery– with approximately 350 items dispensed for team members so far – has prompted the company to plan for the installation of additional vending machines soon.
Kim Barnes, administrative specialist with Warehousing and Stores Administration, is coordinating the effort on a day-to-day basis since implementation. “The feedback so far has been phenomenal,” she said.
“People love the fact that this gives them the most direct way available to get what they need to stay safe, which is critical since our crews work all hours of the day to support reliable service for the community,” she added. “One of the best things about the machines is that they’re fully intuitive. This is a great addition to how we operate … and hey, our other vending machines still offer snacks!”
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