Utility Safety Podcast by Incident Prevention Magazine

In this episode of the Safety by Design, Nick sits down with Pam Tompkins, CUSP to discuss her recent article, "Safety by Design, Safety Management System Planning." This is the third installment of a six-part series where Pam delves into the critical role of planning in creating an effective safety management system (SMS). Pam explains why a proactive, systemic approach is essential for identifyi...

In this vital episode, host Kate Wade sits down with Jenny Lavin, the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Union Care Solutions, to tackle the pressing mental health crisis within the union electrical community. Jenny, a union wife and mother with deep family roots in the IBEW, shares the alarming statistics that prompted her to take action: in the construction industry, workers are five times more li...

This episode of "The Deep Dive" explores the hidden dangers of using standard synthetic ropes in high-voltage environments and the shift towards true dielectric ropes. We discuss how traditional ropes can become conductive when exposed to moisture and contaminants, turning them into a serious safety hazard. We also cover the importance of rigorous testing, proper maintenance, and the barriers to a...

In this episode of the Utility Safety Podcast, host Kate Wade sits down with Christian Connolly, CEO of Twiceme Technology, a Sweden-based smart safety company revolutionizing PPE with digital innovation. Christian shares his journey from fintech to safety tech, explains how wearable technology is transforming worker protection, and highlights Twiceme’s growing partnerships with leading PPE manufa...

Rethinking Risk: Safety Culture, Risk Tolerance, and Relationship-Driven Leadership In this compelling episode, Mark Taylor, CUSP, Senior Advisor of Corporate Services at Primary Engineering and Construction, joins us to explore how utility professionals perceive and manage risk. Drawing from decades of field and leadership experience, Mark discusses how a worker’s risk tolerance evolves over time...

In this episode of Incident Prevention’s Utility Safety Podcast, host Kate Wade sits down with Mark Savage, Marine Corps veteran and founder of DeadBreak — a specialized underground electrical training and consulting company. Mark shares his professional journey, the gaps he identified in underground utility training, and how DeadBreak aims to bridge those gaps by offering curriculum development,...

In this episode of the Incident Prevention Utility Safety Podcast, host Kate Wade sits down with Jennifer LeFevre, Executive Director of the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), to explore how everyday decisions at work and at home can impact electrical safety. Jennifer shares insights into the mission of ESFI, the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, how utilities can access free safet...

In this powerful episode of the Utility Safety Podcast: Voice of Experience, veteran lineman and safety consultant Danny Raines, CUSP, shares hard-earned lessons from decades of storm response—from Hurricane Katrina to ice storms in Georgia. With hurricane season in full swing, Danny offers real-world guidance on preparing for storm duty, understanding system hazards, and staying mentally and phys...

In this special Incident Prevention Utility Safety Podcast episode for Extreme Heat Awareness Month, host Kate Wade welcomes Dr. Kevin Rindal of Vimocity and Scott Head of DragonWear to share essential strategies for preventing heat stress among utility workers.   They dive deep into how extreme heat affects the human body, why utility workers are especially vulnerable, and how modern flame-resist...

In this episode, we unpack the vital safety standards, OSHA regulations, and field-tested insights that govern bucket truck operations in the electric utility industry. Based on the article “Bucket Truck Safety: OSHA Standards and Other Considerations” by Danny Raines, CUSP , we dive into key differences between Class A and Class B trucks, daily control tests, fall protection, and the nuances of o...

In this episode of our Actionable Safety series, host Nick talks with Bill Martin and Kate Wade about moving beyond “safety noise” to create real, lasting change on the job. They dive deep into achieving buy-in through synchrony, overcoming defensiveness, and translating safety theory into real-world practice. With stories from climbing Mount Kenya to lessons learned in the utility industry, they...

In this episode, Incident Prevention’s Kate Wade sits down with Kaitlyn Albertoli, co-founder and CEO of California-based Buzz Solutions , to explore how visual intelligence is helping utilities uncover hidden risks and modernize critical infrastructure. Kaitlyn shares how Buzz Solutions’ platforms—PowerAI and PowerGuard—use AI-driven insights to streamline inspections, enhance grid reliability, a...

In this episode of Built In, Not Bolted On, host Doug Hill challenges traditional thinking around job safety practices. He explores the effectiveness of pre-job briefs, mid-day check-ins, and post-job reviews, emphasizing how learning from experience—especially at the end of the day—can dramatically improve safety outcomes. Drawing inspiration from aviation and military after-action reviews, Doug...

In this episode, we explore what an ancient shepherding metaphor can teach us about modern safety leadership. Inspired by The Good Shepherd, an article written by David McPeak, CUSP, CIT, CHST, CSP, CSSM for Incident Prevention magazine, we unpack how the timeless relationship between shepherd and sheep mirrors the dynamic between safety leaders and their teams. Through the lens of the C5 Safety L...

In this powerful episode recorded live at the iP Utility Safety Conference in Charleston, Brent Jeffries of Bierer Meters and Billy Martin of Think Tank Project LLC dive deep into the overlooked element of utility safety: human connection. They explore how emotional energy, team environment, and psychological safety can make or break a crew’s performance. From “rebuilding the energy wheel” to beco...

In this episode of Built In, Not Bolted On, host Doug Hill sits down with safety leader and educator David McPeak to explore the real keys to successful Human and Organizational Performance (HOP). Through storytelling, relatable analogies, and a few laughs, they break down the power of caring leadership, building a just culture, the dangers of overcomplicating safety systems, and the importance of...

Safety by Design - Empowering Leadership and Employee Involvement with Pam Tompkins CSP, CUSP   Read the article - https://incident-prevention.com/blog/safety-by-design-leadership-and-employee-involvement/   In this episode of Safety by Design, we welcome back safety expert Pam Tompkins, CUSP, CSP, to explore the foundational role of leadership and employee involvement in building effective safety...

Optimizing Arc Flash Protection: The Crucial Role of Layered Clothing Written by  Derek Sang, CSHEP, QSSP  on February 14, 2025. Posted in  Worksite Safety . A layered approach that includes FR/AR undergarments can enhance worker safety, comfort and compliance.   Read the article here - https://incident-prevention.com/blog/optimizing-arc-flash-protection-the-crucial-role-of-layered-clothing/   Arc...

In this episode of Built In, Not Bolted On with host Doug Hill, CUSP, we dive deep into the world of utility safety culture, exploring the latest risk management strategies, regulatory challenges, and best practices to keep crews safe. Our host shares firsthand experiences and expert insights on hazard identification, compliance updates, and leadership in safety culture. Whether you’re in line wor...

In this episode of The Utility Safety Podcast, host Kate Wade sits down with Shawn Galloway, a renowned expert in safety leadership and culture, to discuss the evolving landscape of utility safety. They explore the key factors that drive a proactive safety culture, the role of leadership in risk management, and how organizations can shift from compliance-driven safety to a culture of continuous im...

Equipotential grounding is a critical safety practice that protects utility workers from electrical hazards by equalizing voltage levels at the worksite. In this episode, we delve into real-world lessons learned from the field, highlighting the importance of establishing an effective equipotential zone (EPZ) to prevent harmful electrical currents from passing through the body. We discuss how impro...

In this episode of Tailgate Topics, host Rod Courtney is joined by Nick from Utility Business Media to discuss one of the biggest safety risks in the utility industry—distractions. Inspired by Scott Perrin’s article, The Dangers of Distraction: Staying Focused in a High-Risk Environment, this conversation dives into how mental drift, complacency, fatigue, and technology impact workplace safety.  ...

Challenging the Status Quo: Rethinking Safety in the Utility Industry   Is safety truly the utility industry's first priority? And is it even a real thing, or just a byproduct of something deeper? In this thought-provoking episode of Influencing Safety, Bill Martin, President and CEO of Think Tank Project LLC, joins host Kate Wade to challenge traditional views on safety. They explore the critical...

In this episode of the iP Utility Safety Podcast, we take a deep dive into a common yet challenging workplace issue: bad attitudes. But instead of just discussing the problem, we explore proven leadership strategies to transform negativity into productivity. Drawing insights from an Incident Prevention magazine article, we uncover how effective leadership, empowerment, and strategic communication...

In this episode of Utility Safety in Depth, host Kate Wade sits down with John "Scotty" MacNeill and Rena Harrington to explore the mission of the United Support & Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF). They discuss the critical role USMWF plays in supporting families affected by workplace fatalities, advocating for stronger safety regulations, and raising awareness in the utility industry...