Donation will support hands-on training for water and wastewater professionals across North Dakota
JUNE 2026, STAPLES MN - SoSafe Equipment has donated one of its Power Lifter™ Manhole Protection Systems to the North Dakota Rural Water Association (NDRWA), reinforcing a shared commitment to improving safety for the utility professionals who maintain critical underground infrastructure every day.
The donated unit is already being incorporated into NDRWA training sessions, allowing operators, public works crews, and utility professionals to gain hands-on experience with equipment designed to reduce the physical demands and injury risks associated with removing and replacing heavy manhole covers.
"Training is one of the most effective ways to improve safety," said Steve Statema, President of SoSafe Equipment. "By placing the Power Lifter directly into the hands of utility professionals during their training, we're helping demonstrate safer work practices that crews can take back to their own communities."
Manhole covers routinely weigh well over 100 pounds, and repeated manual lifting places workers at risk of back, shoulder, hand, and foot injuries. The Power Lifter™ is designed to minimize these risks while allowing crews to complete inspections and maintenance more efficiently.
For the North Dakota Rural Water Association, the donation provides a valuable training resource that can be used throughout the year as the organization delivers educational programs to water and wastewater professionals across the state.
"Our goal has always been simple," Statema added. "If we can help prevent even one serious injury while making crews more productive, we've accomplished something meaningful."
As communities across the country continue investing in infrastructure and workforce development, SoSafe Equipment remains committed to supporting the organizations that train and equip the people protecting our nation's water systems.