Incident Prevention Magazine

09/03/2026

Looking to connect directly with safety leaders across the utility industry? ⚡

Our NEW Incident Prevention (iP) Media Kit is now available!

As the industry’s #1 trusted source for utility safety information, Incident Prevention delivers valuable, "all-content, no-fluff" insights to over 26,500+ safety professionals across electric, gas, telecommunications, and utility contracting sectors.

Why partner with iP for your marketing campaign?

🔹 Deep Audience Engagement: Over 60% of our readers spend 30+ minutes with each issue.

🔹 Proven ROI: More than 50% of readers have made a purchase after seeing an ad in iP.

🔹 Multi-Platform Reach: Custom packages spanning bi-monthly print issues, digital editions, podcasts, webinars, and dedicated e-newsletters.

🔹 Live Event Visibility: Bonus distribution at major industry shows, plus exclusive sponsorship opportunities at the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo.

Position your brand in front of safety decision-makers when buying decisions are being made.

👉 Download the new Media Kit & start planning your campaign: https://incident-prevention.com/advertise/

Contact us: [email protected]

Discover how to advertise with Incident Prevention to achieve high visibility in the utilities safety community.Reach over 26,500 utility safety decision-makers. Explore print, digital, podcast, newsletter, and event advertising options with Incident Prevention magazine.

09/02/2026

Understanding electrical circuits is crucial for safety. If a conductor is mistaken for neutral, especially when B phase is installed first, any return current can be dangerous. Always use a mechanical jumper or ground, or handle with extreme caution using rubber gloves.

09/02/2026

⚡️Elevate Your Utility Safety Career in Glendale!

Heading to the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo in Glendale this November? Make sure to stop by and visit the team!

Whether you’re looking to stand out in the industry or strengthen your organization’s safety culture, we’re here to help.

Register Here: https://utilitysafetyconference.com/

Come chat with us about:

- The CUSP Credential: Learn how to become a Certified Utility Safety Professional and what it takes.

- Membership Benefits: Discover how USOLN membership gives you exclusive access to industry research, access, and discounts.

- Credential Maintenance: Have questions about your current status or renewal? We’ve got the answers.

Don't miss this chance to invest in your professional development. See you in Glendale, AZ!

09/01/2026

A new 2-part series with George Cole (CESCP, CUSP, CESW, CIT, SGE) is now live!

Listen now: https://utilitysafety.podbean.com/e/switchgear-part1/

In high-voltage environments, what you can’t see can kill you. While traditional open-air substations display their isolation points and energized components out in the open, enclosed switchgear conceals its dangers behind metal panels and doors. In this episode, we sit down with industry safety expert George T. Cole (CUSP, CESCP, CESW, CIT, SGE) to dissect why switchgear design creates unique, deadly hazards—from complex internal cross-connects to the explosive threat of an "Arc-in-a-Box".

George breaks down the crucial difference between OSHA’s often misunderstood term "deenergized" and NFPA 70E’s 8-step process for establishing an Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC). We examine real-world case studies where simple, routine jobs nearly turned fatal due to human error precursors like overconfidence, poor work order instructions, and an overreliance on "tribal knowledge".

Key Takeaways:

Unique Design = Unique Hazard: Unlike traditional open-air substations where clearance points and conductors are visible, switchgear conceals energized parts behind panel doors, placing workers inside shock boundaries or minimum approach distances the moment a cover is removed.

Compliance is Only the Bare Minimum: Relying solely on OSHA regulations helps avoid fines, but ESFI injury data shows it isn't enough to stop severe electrical shocks and burns in the utility sector.

Transition to ESWC: Rather than assuming equipment is safe because it is labeled "deenergized," crews must complete NFPA 70E’s systematic 8-step process to verify an Electrically Safe Work Condition (ESWC).

Live-Dead-Live Protocol: Performing Live-Dead-Live voltage testing at each specific point of work and before moving between internal compartments serves as a vital final barrier against electrical accidents.

Eliminate "Tribal Knowledge": Relying on informal habits, handwritten notes on cabinet doors, or the mindset of "we've always done it that way" are primary error precursors that lead to catastrophic failures.

Learn more, view the schedule, or register for the event at the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/

Connect with George Cole - https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-cole-cescp-cusp-cesw-cit-sge-57921851/



This podcast is sponsored by T&D PowerSkills, LLC If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2026 to receive a 5% discount!

In high-voltage environments, what you can’t see can kill you. While traditional open-air substations display their isolation points and energized components out in the open, enclosed switchgear conceals its dangers behind metal panels and doors. In this episode, we sit down with industry safety e...

08/31/2026

🚨 Speaker Highlight: Caleb Thompson CUSP with Timpson Training will be at the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo!

Join us November 3-5, 2026, in Glendale, AZ.

Earn Points for attending each session!

📅 Register today! → https://utilitysafetyconference.com/
🎯 Check out the Pre-Conference Workshops - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/pre-conference-workshops/
🔖 See the Full Agenda - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/agenda/

His session is titled "From Theory to the Field: Grounding and Bonding"

Learning Objectives:

- History of grounding and bonding and why it's important
- Goals of grounding and bonding
- The 5 to stay alive.

Since he was a small child, Caleb has been mesmerized by electricity of all forms, initiated by finding a transformer in his grandmother’s basement at the age of 10. He taught himself what it was and how it worked, and he figured out how to take them apart and put them back together. Soon after, Caleb moved on to being fascinated by Tesla Coils and eventually began hand-crafting them. It was no surprise to anyone that while in high school he took part in the Electrical Trade Program, and moved on to an Electrical Apprenticeship Program upon graduation. Several years later he joined the Lineman’s Apprenticeship Program at an Exelon Utility, where he worked to become a Lead Journeyman Lineman, spending half of his time in the field, and the other half sharing his knowledge training apprentices and journeys. Caleb’s proudest achievement is founding Timpson Training (Timpson Electrical & Aerial Services, LLC), where he has elevated Lineman Training Standards by developing a way for trainees to train in a safely energized environment. He has invented a way for meter, distribution, and transmission training yards to be energized to full voltage but at a low, non-lethal current level. Caleb was born, raised, and currently resides in Maryland. Though he’s always lived on the East Coast, his passions for line work and rock climbing have taken him all over the United States.

Description:

This course provides line workers with a practical understanding of grounding and bonding, their purposes, and proper application in the field through classroom discussions. Participants will explore the history of electrical safety, key industry developments, different grounding methods, sources of unexpected energization (backfeed, induction, human error), voltage gradients, and installation best practices. Emphasis is placed on safe work culture, minimizing hazards, and applying theory to real utility operations.

08/31/2026

⚠️ Don't Let Your Utility Crew Face an Armed Landowner

Read the full article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/6-employer-best-practices-for-effective-landowner-engagement/

In isolated rights-of-way, field crews face serious safety risks when landowner communication breaks down. From armed standoffs to halted jobs, poor engagement can turn routine utility work into high-stakes conflict. Discover how proactive communication protects both your crews and your projects.

Written by Levi Frost, Vice President of Construction Services at Sterling Solutions, this article details how poor landowner communication and inherited contractor distrust lead to dangerous jobsite confrontations. It offers utility employers a practical framework to foster positive property owner relations and keep field crews safe.

Key Takeaways:

- Engage Early & In Person: Direct phone calls or doorstep visits build trust and clarity far better than basic written legal notices.

- Rigorous Documentation: Treat landowner contact log details with the same formality as permitting to avoid "assumed engagement" errors.

- Acknowledge Past Damage: Proactively address previous contractor mistakes and use protective measures (like access mats) to repair damaged trust.

- Clarify Property Boundaries: Plainly explain the distinctions between private property and utility rights-of-way to avoid trespassing misunderstandings.

- Assign a Single Point of Contact: Provide landowners with a dedicated liaison who has the authority to quickly address and resolve concerns.

Master 6 employer best practices for effective landowner engagement and prevent conflicts in utility and construction operations.

08/31/2026

Previously, grounding systems were dictated by distance limits like 2 miles apart or 1,500 feet. New findings show induced voltages are a more critical measure than sheer distance. This changes how we approach grounding safety.

08/31/2026

Witnessing a traveling ground in action on a transmission roadway is truly impressive. It's essential gear for ensuring safety and efficiency during wire pulling operations.

08/31/2026

A close call highlights the risks of induced circulating currents from parallel power lines. Grounding issues energized a shield wire, leading to a shocking 300 volts found at a work location. Understanding Ohm's law is crucial for safety. 'sLaw

08/31/2026

Discover the critical science behind protective grounding. Adding resistance to your grounding system can dangerously increase current flow across your body. Learn why clean, secure grounds are vital for safety when working with electrical systems.