Snow and bitterly cold temperatures put the spotlight on three things manufacturers cannot compromise on: worker safety, operational reliability and grid reliability. As winter weather moves across Ohio this weekend, manufacturers are reinforcing safety protocols, adjusting shifts and communicating clearly with employees to manage travel challenges, exposure risks and on-site conditions.

Reliable operations also depend on a dependable electric grid. PJM has issued a Cold Weather Alert through Tuesday, Jan. 27, a step that requires utilities to review scheduled maintenance and defer or cancel work on generation or transmission assets to ensure maximum availability during extreme conditions. Manufacturers expect this level of preparedness because it is exactly what they pay for through their electric bills. When reliability slips, the consequences show up immediately in safety incidents, downtime and higher workers’ compensation costs.

“Bitter cold and snow do not lower expectations,” said Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger. “They raise them, especially when workers, operations and the power grid are most exposed.” 1/23/2026