Tues., May 11, 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

People-Focused Safety: The Next Generation in Behavioral Techniques
Behavior-based safety is a tool that was developed to combat the limitations of traditional safety regulations. This seminar goes a step further to empower all employees to act as company safety liaisons by understanding utility and associated construction regulations, making decisions through committees, performing self-audits or investigations, and implementing corrective action. In this model, safety managers turn into facilitators; leading indicators are used to measure program effectiveness rather than lagging indicators such as OSHA or modification rates; and ideas for incentives are discussed with associated precautions. 

Lee Marchessault, President, Workplace Safety Solutions

Greater Protection for Underground Utility Workers
Underground utility workers face the prospect of peril from electrified lines, connectors and switches which could cause an arc flash. Injury can occur from a number of sources including thermal radiation, blast pressure wave and the plasma arc. Utility companies are working to optimize safety by installing equipment to reduce clearing times, but dangers still exist, requiring workers to wear heavy, cumbersome clothing. One method of providing additional protection is the proper installation of an arc suppression blanket. In this session led by Victor Petrovic, Ph.D., attendees will learn installation techniques, ASTM certification significance with regard to blankets and what questions to ask to ensure proper blanket selection. 

Victor Petrovic, Ph.D., President/Owner, Petrovic Enterprises, Technical Director, Therm-Equip

Beyond Workplace Stereotypes: Tapping the Talents of the Generation Mix
For the first time in American history, organizations have four different generations of employees working side by side. Each generation has its own distinct attitudes, values, expectations, behaviors and motivational triggers. This session will examine each generation’s salient characteristics and offer a positive approach to generational differences that leads toward collaboration rather than collision. Session participants will learn to: 
• Identify important generational differences likely to impact on-the-job productivity and relationships
• Apply practical tips to reduce stress, misunderstandings, conflicts and miscommunication when engaging with employees of different generations
• Use sound and respectful approaches to more confidently engage with each generation and tap the talent and value they offer to the organization

Raymond Giemza, SPHR, Owner and Managing Partner, Interactive Consulting Services

Tues., May 11, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Teaching Supervisors to Become Safety Coaches
Supervisors influence worker behavior perhaps more than any other level in an organization. Yet most supervisors have not received formal training on coaching and effective performance feedback skills. Providing such training has proven to be a very effective measure to reduce incidents in many organizations. For safety values to become established in an organization, they must be reinforced by leaders at or near the point of decision. Supervisors are in a unique position to facilitate the creation of a culture that focuses on safety excellence. Discover steps to take supervisors from cops to coaches and identify how to transfer these strategies throughout the workplace, ensuring more effective safety supervision methodologies. 
 
Shawn M. Galloway, President and COO, ProAct Safety

The Right Way to Develop an FR Clothing Program for Qualified Electrical Workers in the Electric Utility Industry
This presentation will provide the correct method to easily develop an FR clothing program for electric utilities using the 2007 National Electric Safety Code (NESC). Session leader Brian Erga will also explain:
• Why NESC Subcommittee 8 developed the NESC FR table and how the table is to be applied
• How the NESC FR section ties in to the proposed revision of OSHA 1910.269 and OSHA 1926 Subpart V, which will be published in 2010
• The addition of a low-voltage FR table which will be published by Subcommittee 8 in the 2012 NESC
• How much and what types of clothing must be FR, as well as who is to purchase, launder and maintain FR clothing per OSHA

Brian Erga, President, ESCI

NESC-2007 Part 4
This presentation will provide a basic overview of National Electric Safety Code Part 4 (Rules for the Operation of Electric Supply and Communication Lines and Equipment). The session will include general operating routines, arc hazard assessments, overhead and underground lines, minimum approach distances (MADs), switching control procedures, de-energizing equipment or lines to protect employees, and protective grounds.

Pam Tompkins, CSP, CUSA, President and CEO, SET Solutions

Tues., May 11, 2:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Adapting Safety to a Dynamic Company Culture
As the economy has impacted a great number of businesses, safety managers have adapted their programs to changing organizations and company cultures. Led by Pike Energy Solutions’ Ken Flechler, this presentation will focus on key areas that directly affect an organization’s culture, including downsizing and growth, department modifications, leadership changes, employee aging, and regulatory compliance and rulemaking. The session will also identify best practices that safety managers can utilize to ensure their safety culture adjusts as the organization transforms. 

Ken Flechler, Vice President – EHS, Pike Energy Solutions

Wildfire Prevention
San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and private wildland fire contractor Capstone Fire Management entered into a contractual agreement for the 2009 fire season to provide preventative standby firefighting resources. The innovative program’s goal was to provide on-site wildland fire suppression capabilities as SDG&E’s utility crews worked in San Diego County’s dry brush. In this session, SDG&E’s Bill Molumby and Capstone’s Jeff Meston will present an overview of the successful pilot project. It will cover relationships with fire agencies that have jurisdictional responsibility, policies and procedures, the Incident Command System, effective communication flow, work crew cohesiveness and scheduling. An overview of medical emergencies and fires encountered during the pilot program will also be included. Participants will leave knowing how to replicate the program and understanding why fire prevention is a cost-effective way to move forward in our litigious society.

Bill Molumby, Fire Coordinator, San Diego Gas & Electric and Jeff Meston, Fire Chief, Capstone Fire Management

National Electric Safety Code/IEEE 516 Update
Led by SET Solutions’ President and CEO Pam Tompkins, this presentation will review proposed updates for the 2012 edition of the National Electric Safety Code. Included will be low-voltage arc hazard assessments and other changes from the 2007 edition. Tompkins will also review new updates to the IEEE 516 Guide for Maintenance Methods on Energized Power Lines. 

Pam Tompkins, CSP, CUSA, President and CEO, SET Solutions

Wed., May 12, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Incident Investigation
A good incident investigation begins long before an incident occurs. In this seminar, learn how to prepare for conducting investigations and how to get the most out of tools of the trade. An open-dialogue presentation format – guided by experienced investigator Jim Vaughn of MYR Group/Sturgeon Electric – will allow discussion of tried-and-true techniques, from securing artifacts and photography to interviews and what belongs in the investigator’s report.   

Jim Vaughn, Safety, MYR Group/Sturgeon Electric

Trenching, Excavation, Enclosed and Confined Space Competent Person Review
Danny Raines has spent more than 40 years in the electric utility industry. Join him as he presents initial and refresher training for trenching, excavation and confined space. Topics addressed will include trenching and excavation safety, related OSHA regulations, underground installations, vehicular traffic exposure, hazardous atmospheres, emergency rescue equipment, competent person inspections, soil mechanics, protective systems, and visual and manual tests. 

Danny Raines, Safety Consultant, Raines Utility Safety Solutions

Understanding Generational Differences
Communication between colleagues is of utmost importance when trying to maintain a safe work environment. Sometimes generational differences make it difficult for co-workers to understand one another, but issues can be successfully resolved with appropriate training. Throughout this seminar, Southwest Energy Solutions' Mack Turner will discuss different generations, the traits of each generation and key points to successful interaction between employees of different generations.

Mack Turner, Safety and Training Director, Southwest Energy Solutions

Wed., May 12, 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Leadership Comes with Its Rewards
Class leader Michael Stremel will give attendees a new awareness about the rewards leadership can bring to your organization. Session participants will take away new and creative ideas to produce and promote a more positive work force. Teaching points include:
• How to recognize employees’ strong and weak points and utilize that information
• How leaders can demonstrate positive attitudes to increase workforce morale and safety statistics
• The importance of valuing others’ input and sharing ideas to promote company success

Michael Stremel, Operations Training Manager, Midwest Energy

Changes in Crane Standards
This session will cover changes to 29 CFR Part 1926: Cranes and Derricks in Construction as they relate to electrical hazards. At the time of the presentation submission, this proposed rule had passed its last public comment period and was to be published imminently. It contains many new provisions for operations of cranes that are within boom reach of power lines. Requirements for operator training – which have changed dramatically as well – will be reviewed and discussed. 

Josh Chard, Ph.D., Director, Product and Corporate Safety, Altec Industries

Still Not Convinced of the Value of Equipotential Grounding in the Electric Utility Industry?
This presentation will provide a clear understanding of equipotential grounding’s value in the electric utility industry. Discussion will cover the basics of personal protective grounding, as well as how to apply equipotential grounding to distribution and transmission and overhead and underground systems. The presentation will also discuss OSHA 1910.269(n)(3) requirements and what the preamble states about old grounding methods. This session is intended for any qualified electrical worker who still has questions about developing an EPZ.

Brian Erga, President, ESCI

Thurs., May 13, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Contractor Safety Management
Push your existing contractor safety training program to the next level with this session presented by PowerSafe, a company that provides comprehensive safety orientation and verification programs to utility owners and contractors. Topics covered will include standardized content and recordkeeping, communication between owners and contractors, safety integration in all facets of work, and owner and contractor participation.

Tess Ventress, Account Manager, PowerSafe

Tracked Vehicles and OSHA
Recent weather events have caused utilities to rely more heavily than ever on tracked all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) to perform maintenance and restoration functions. This presentation will cover the unique operating requirements and safety considerations for these vehicles. Special performance capabilities; limitations; recent accident histories; and the preparation of specialized internal company/agency operational and safety plans for utilizing tracked ATVs will be discussed in detail. Presenter Art Seely will also cover critical aspects of hypothermia, frostbite and cold weather injuries that affect operators of these types of equipment in remote areas as well as OSHA and ANSI special training guidelines for these situations. Seely has been involved in tracked ATV operator training and has developed utilization and safety programs for these vehicles for more than 20 years in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Art Seely, Founder, Safety One International, Instructor, Snow Operations Training Center

Mature Safety Track
Dealing with difficult people, bridging communication gaps and building self-esteem all require a high level of personal maturity. In this session, instructor Parrish Taylor will introduce a soft-skill-based development program targeting safety professionals. You will learn how to identify the nine at-risk immature behaviors in yourself and others, as well as nine corresponding mature behaviors.

Parrish Taylor, President/CEO, Taylor-Made Concepts

Thurs., May 13, 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Managing Perceptions: A New Approach to Safety Communication
Many organizations measure perceptions, but few effectively manage them. There are two types of perceptions, accurate and inaccurate. Which ones are you responding to? Perceptions are influenced by multiple sources, both internal and external. Unmanaged perceptions negatively affect safety communication. Even worse, they have been identified as contributing factors in multiple catastrophic incidents. Join Shawn Galloway, one of the world’s leading safety culture practitioners and host of “Safety Culture Excellence,” in a discussion on successfully proven techniques. This session focuses on how to measure, understand and manage the perceptions that either facilitate or impede achieving and sustaining safety excellence.
 
Shawn M. Galloway, President and COO, ProAct Safety

Seven Safe Electrical Habits
Based on consensus standards and accident research, seven safe electrical habits have been shown to eliminate most accidents. Join facilitator Hugh Hoagland as he leads a discussion about these habits. The latest arc flash research will be reviewed and digested to make compliance easy with regard to OSHA 1910.269, NESC and NFPA 70E, where applicable.

Hugh Hoagland, Industry Consultant, ArcWear.com and e-Hazard.com

Safety and Fall Protection for the Industrial Worker
What does it take to climb safely? Who makes a qualified climber? Do we know what to do during an emergency? In this highly informative session, hear the answers to those questions and learn about many more important topics regarding fall protection and climbing rescue. Included will be:
• Principles of fall protection and fall protection standards
• Requirements for qualified climbers
• Methods of climbing towers and rescue techniques
• Training and proper use of fall protection devices
• Selection, care, inspection and maintenance of climbing equipment and fall protection devices

Jeremy Raskin, Senior Instructor, Antenna & Tower Training Center/Snow Operations Training Center at Safety One International

Thurs., May 13, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Five Fundamentals of Human Performance
Human performance, the combined study of human nature and organizational dynamics, is readily embraced by the utility industry as a key component in successful error-reduction programs. iP welcomes Jeff Clark, Distribution Control Center Shift Supervisor at Progress Energy, to share his expertise and practical experience on this important topic. Jeff's workshop will go over the five fundamentals of human performance, performance modes and associated error modes, and practical tools to change behaviors and avoid errors.

Jeff Clark, CUSA, Distribution Control Center Shift Supervisor, Progress Energy

The Correct Way to Apply the Minimum Approach Distance and Understanding How to Apply OSHA’s Two-Man Rule to Energized Electric Utility Work
This presentation will provide detailed information about the development of the minimum approach distance (MAD); how to correctly apply it; and what is happening to MADs in IEEE 516, the NESC, and OSHA 1910.269 and 1926 Subpart V. Additionally, the presentation will cover how a qualified electrical worker can enter an MAD and what work can be performed while alone inside an MAD. A detailed discussion on how to apply the two-man rule as required under OSHA 1910.269(l)(1) and (2) will also take place.

Brian Erga, President, ESCI