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iPi Monthly Forum for Utility Professionals
The iPi monthly forum is where you can get answers to questions you have from subject matter experts like David McPeak, Jim Vaughn, Danny Raines and other utility safety and ops professionals like yourself. Forums will include industry specific topics, challenges, trends, and solutions along with best practices in leadership, operations, and safety.
Leveraging technology can help utilities face the challenge of having enough trained and qualified workers to meet demand.
Closing the Cracks with the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Slipping through the cracks has become much more difficult for drivers with the 2020 implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The following scenario paints a picture of how easy it once was for commercial driver’s license (CDL) …
Beyond Behavior-Based Safety: Why Traditional Safety Practices are No Longer Enough
Traditional safety management practices are built on the assumption that human behavior is rational and occurs primarily through conscious decision-making. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, irrational by nature, creatures of habit and deeply influenced by past experiences. To create the next step change in the practice of occupational safety, we must revisit existing par…
Using a Learning Management System to Augment Lineworker Training
“You can’t learn how to climb a pole by looking at a computer screen.”
That’s a sentence that has been repeatedly used in our industry to discredit web-based learning. And it’s true; in any skilled trade, neither distance learning nor classroom work alone can replace the skills and confidence gained from practicing tasks and building up muscle memory in the field. But does that mean there’s no…
The Importance of Proper Coverup: Two Real-Life Tales
Very early on in my career as a lineman, I was involved in two events that taught me some important lessons about proper coverup and how critical it is to worker safety. Both events occurred between 1972 and 1973. I was working on a big line crew, and while there were different crew foremen, ther…
From My Bookshelf to Yours: ‘No Compromise’
Dang you, Ken Sheridan. I had a life and a job that I enjoyed, and I thought I had safety figured out. Then you wrote “No Compromise: The Truth About Workplace Safety & Business Success.” I couldn’t put it down, and worse yet, chapter four is so good I read it three times before I ever got to…
OSHA Electric Power Standards – Simplified
Overhead Lines
Unique fall and electric shock hazards can occur during the installation and removal of lines and during tower and structure work. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269(q) and 29 CFR 1926.964, both titled “Overhead lines and live-line barehand work,” address these hazards as well as the required c…
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Frontline Leadership – The Hurdle
Utility Business Media, Inc. publisher of Incident Prevention Magazine is excited to announce the publication of Frontline Leadership – The Hurdle and Frontline Incident Prevention – The Hurdle both written by David McPeak, Director of Professional Development for Incident Prevention InstitutE (iPi).
These books are based on iPi’s popular Frontline leadership training program and are a must read for utility industry leaders. Learn More
Frontline Incident Prevention – The Hurdle
This book is your essential how-to guide on recognizing hurdles and developing effective run-ups to soar over them. You’ll learn how to lead and protect people rather than manage robots. You’ll also learn critical lessons about self-reliance and risk tolerance that culminate in proper application of the hierarchy of controls. Reading and applying the insights from this book will make you, your team, and your organization safer.
iPi have taken it a step further. You can add The Art of Safety course and downloadable workbook to your experience. Find out more more about this course – The Art of Safety
Learn to understand, lead, develop, and protect people.
That is the Art of Safety!
Closing the Cracks with the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Slipping through the cracks has become much more difficult for drivers with the 2020 implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The following scenario paints a picture of how easy it once was for commercial driver’s license (CDL) …
Thermal Protection for Electrical Work
Thermal protective apparel for electrical work appears to have reached a point of inflection from “What needs to be done?” to “How can it be improved?” Looking at the safety standards recently approved for publication,
Advancing Workforce Skills Using Simulation-Based Training
Like nearly all industries that require skilled workers, the electrical utility industry currently faces the challenge of having enough trained and qualified workers to meet demand and changing market conditions.
According to a 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (see www.usenergyjobs.org),…
Social Networks
Recent Posts
Safety Management
Thermal Protection for Electrical Work
Thermal protective apparel for electrical work appears to have reached a point of inflection from “What needs to be done?” to “How can it be improved?” Looking at the safety standards recently approved for publication,
The 8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture
I began writing my new book – “The 8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture” – in 2004 while working as a civilian contractor for Kellogg Brown & Root in Iraq. I was the area HSE manager for a large portion of the Logistical Civilian Augmentation Program #3 Project. Our contract required…
Closing the Cracks with the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Slipping through the cracks has become much more difficult for drivers with the 2020 implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The following scenario paints a picture of how easy it once was for commercial driver’s license (CDL) …
Beyond Behavior-Based Safety: Why Traditional Safety Practices are No Longer Enough
Traditional safety management practices are built on the assumption that human behavior is rational and occurs primarily through conscious decision-making. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, irrational by nature, creatures of habit and deeply influenced by past experiences….
The 8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture
I began writing my new book – “The 8 Habits of a Highly Effective Safety Culture” – in 2004 while working as a civilian contractor for Kellogg Brown & Root in Iraq. I was the area HSE manager for a large portion of the Logistical Civilian Augmentation Program #3 Project. Our contract required…
Closing the Cracks with the FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse
Slipping through the cracks has become much more difficult for drivers with the 2020 implementation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
The following scenario paints a picture of how easy it once was for commercial driver’s license (CDL) …
Beyond Behavior-Based Safety: Why Traditional Safety Practices are No Longer Enough
Traditional safety management practices are built on the assumption that human behavior is rational and occurs primarily through conscious decision-making. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, irrational by nature, creatures of habit and deeply influenced by past experiences….
To achieve the next step change in safety, we must ultimately change how employees feel about at-risk behaviors.
Beyond Behavior-Based Safety: Why Traditional Safety Practices are No Longer Enough
Traditional safety management practices are built on the assumption that human behavior is rational and occurs primarily through conscious decision-making. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, irrational by nature, creatures of habit and deeply influenced by past experiences….
Beyond Behavior-Based Safety: Why Traditional Safety Practices are No Longer Enough
Traditional safety management practices are built on the assumption that human behavior is rational and occurs primarily through conscious decision-making. Nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, irrational by nature, creatures of habit and deeply influenced by past experiences. To create the n…
Using a Learning Management System to Augment Lineworker Training
“You can’t learn how to climb a pole by looking at a computer screen.”
That’s a sentence that has been repeatedly used in our industry to discredit web-based learning. And it’s true; in any skilled trade, neither distance learning nor classroom work alone can replace the skills and confidence g…
Does Positive Feedback Improve Safety?
Our client is an international utility company with more than 10,000 employees that provides electric and natural gas to 20 million U.S. customers. Their vision is to achieve a generative safety culture in which both employees and leaders are actively engaged. Characteristics of a generative safe…
‘But I Don’t Wanna’: 6 Sources of Employee Resistance
“I forgot.” “I don’t want to.” “It’s not that serious.” “It won’t happen to me.”
If your employees are forgetting, ignoring, pushing back against or actively resisting the protections you’ve put in place to ensure their safety, then you know how frustrating it can be to get them to follow the …
Worksite Safety
Advancing Workforce Skills Using Simulation-Based Training
Like nearly all industries that require skilled workers, the electrical utility industry currently faces the challenge of having enough trained and qualified workers to meet demand and changing market conditions.
According to a 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (see www.usenergyjobs.org),…
Understanding Wind Speed Limitations on Utility Equipment
The question about what’s permitted for operating aerial devices and digger derricks in high winds is one that comes up frequently with users. Utility crews often must deal with working in wind. Trouble trucks responding during storm recovery, transmission operations to place visibility balls on …
The Case for Enhanced First-Aid Training for Lineworkers
Imagine you are working in a remote wilderness area on difficult terrain. The job involves setting poles, running wires, trimming trees, operating heavy machinery and working at elevation in track bucket trucks or hooks on a pole. The potential for serious injury is present, and extrication will …
June – July 2022 Q&A
Q: Why does grounding alone not prevent static discharges, and why don’t we have to ground all flammable dispensing drums and stations?
A: “Flammable” is a relative term, and some of the written standards are detailed to the point that they can be confusing. The best thing any facility can do …
Understanding Wind Speed Limitations on Utility Equipment
The question about what’s permitted for operating aerial devices and digger derricks in high winds is one that comes up frequently with users. Utility crews often must deal with working in wind. Trouble trucks responding during storm recovery, transmission operations to place visibility balls on …
The Case for Enhanced First-Aid Training for Lineworkers
Imagine you are working in a remote wilderness area on difficult terrain. The job involves setting poles, running wires, trimming trees, operating heavy machinery and working at elevation in track bucket trucks or hooks on a pole. The potential for serious injury is present, and extrication will …
June – July 2022 Q&A
Q: Why does grounding alone not prevent static discharges, and why don’t we have to ground all flammable dispensing drums and stations?
A: “Flammable” is a relative term, and some of the written standards are detailed to the point that they can be confusing. The best thing any facility can do …
Control High-Energy Hazards to Help Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Reducing and eliminating serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) remains a challenge throughout the utility industry. The work required to generate, transmit and distribute electricity and gas often places workers near hazards that cannot be completely eliminated. Workers must be able to safely perform essential work without contacting or exposing themselves to sources of high energy.
Brian Sambuco, M.S., CSP, CUSP
Working Safely from Elevated Heights
Each year, OSHA reveals which of its regulations are most violated by employers across the U.S., based on the number of citations given. Violations of fall protection regulations are routinely in the top 10. Given that this is a widespread issue, I’m going to use this month’s Tailgate Topic to pr…
Charles Keeling, CUSP
5 Safety Factors to Consider in Unfamiliar Territory
On a routine workday, it’s likely that you are in a familiar place. The people and the system around you? They’re probably familiar, too. But when we as lineworkers are asked to respond to storms or other emergencies via mutual aid or a storm call, all that can change quickly. Suddenly, we may fi…
Bob Dunderdale, CUSP
Getting Safety Communications Right with SBAR
Nathan Boutwell, M.Eng., CSP, SMS, CIT, CUSP; Robert J. Cornet, Ph.D.; and Michelle Mannering, Ph.D.
90% of Safety Rules are Written for 10% of the People
Rayford “RL” Grubbs, CUSP
Simplifying Tasks to Improve Worker Safety
Jeffrey Sullivan
Powered Industrial Truck Safety
Charles Keeling, CUSP
4 Questions for Continuous Improvement
Jesse Hardy, CSP, CIT, CUSP
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