Incident Prevention Magazine

10/16/2026

🚨 Speaker Highlight: Jim Willis, MSc, CMAS, CHS-V with InDev Tactical 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 "De-Escalation in the Field: Practical Skills for Utility Professionals."

Learning Objectives:

- Understand the drivers of utility-focused hostility and why typical de-escalation approaches fail in field situations

- Recognize the warning signs of escalating aggression and identify the critical intervention points where de-escalation is most effective

- Gain practical de-escalation tactics and techniques to manage and resolve hostile encounters

Rate increases, service disruptions, right-of-way conflicts and the utility sector's role in broader social debates have elevated public frustration, hostility and outright aggression toward utility employees. Effective de-escalation skills are now a necessity for all field personnel and customer service staff. This session delivers practical, field-tested de-escalation techniques that are well-suited to the utility environment. Facilitator Jim Willis examines the root causes of hostility directed at utility workers, identifies the communication and behavioral skills that reliably reduce conflict, and presents concrete tactics for managing hostile encounters.

10/16/2026

New out with Pam Tompkins, CSP, CUSP as we explore the 5th installment of her series in Magazine called "Safety by Design: Implementation and Operation"

Listen Here: https://utilitysafety.podbean.com/e/safety-by-design-implementation/

Read it here: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/safety-by-design-implementation-and-operation/

In this fifth installment of the Safety by Design series, host Nick welcomes back Pam Tompkins to discuss her article, "Safety by Design: Implementation and Operation". Focusing on the ANSI/ASSP Z10 standard, Pam breaks down how utility and safety leaders can transition from planning to real-world ex*****on. The conversation explores bridging the gap between "work as imagined" and "work as done," emphasizing that operational units must take proactive ownership of safety protocols rather than treating safety as a standalone department responsibility. Key topics include operational planning, integrating front-line workers into rule development, effective change management, maintaining electrical and mechanical systems, and establishing strong contractor safety standards.

Key Takeaways:

Operational Ownership: Safety cannot be bottlenecked in the safety department; operational leaders and front-line workers must take proactive ownership to integrate safety directly into daily procedures.

Proactive Change Management: Constant industry evolution requires structured change management to train employees, introduce new equipment, and ensure safety long before workers arrive at a job site.

Bridging the Gap: To align "work as imagined" with "work as done," leadership must continuously seek feedback from front-line workers to eliminate operational flaws and impractical rules.



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 this fifth installment of the Safety by Design series, host Nick welcomes back Pam Tompkins to discuss her article, "Safety by Design: Implementation and Operation". Focusing on the ANSI/ASSP Z10 standard, Pam breaks down how utility and safety leaders can transition from planning to real-world e...

10/16/2026

Understand the subtle physical signs of aggression before conflict escalates. Learn how to de-escalate situations and protect yourself. This video breaks down the rapid speed of escalation and how to intervene effectively.

10/16/2026

Feeling your adrenaline rise during conflict? Slow down, soften your tone. This simple shift helps you manage your response and keep the conversation productive, even when things get heated.

10/16/2026

Supervisors wear many hats. Beyond planning and scheduling, they are talent acquisition specialists, equipment managers, and problem-solvers. You're the person who identifies issues and figures out solutions. Essentially, the supervisor is where the rubber meets the road, often acting as a marriage counselor and financial advisor too.

10/16/2026

Don't just assume it's off. Always test and verify your voltage tester. Perform a live-dead-live test to ensure accuracy. Remember, 'dead' means de-energized and grounded. Understanding lockout/tagout and when grounding is required is crucial for safety.

10/15/2026

🚨 Speaker Highlight: Matt Edmonds with SET Solutions, LLC 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/

His session is titled "The Power of “I Don’t Know”: Leading your Team to Trust.

In the electric utility industry, we often provide our teams with specialized technical training, the most advanced equipment, and the best PPE. Yet, one of the most significant hazards on any job site is often invisible: the lack of open communication. When a crew member is afraid to admit they are unsure, the result isn't just a bruised ego—it’s potentially a life-threatening risk.

This session challenges the traditional "expert-at-everything" style of leadership and introduces Psychological Safety as a critical safety tool. By exploring the concept of "The Power of I Don’t Know," we will examine how leaders who model vulnerability increase the situational awareness of their entire team. When a leader admits uncertainty, they give their crew the "social license" to speak up, ask questions, and catch errors before they become significant events.

Attendees will Learn:

- The potential impact of lack of open communication
- Practical ways to react when a crew member points out a mistake
- How to integrate psychological safety into pre and post job briefings
- Strategies for moving from a “Blame Culture” to a “Learning Culture”

10/14/2026

Serious injuries and fatalities in industrial settings often stem from overlooked issues like distribution cover-ups, lockout/tagout failures, and improper system grounding. This video delves into these critical safety violations and clarifies common misconceptions about grounding practices.

10/14/2026

Understand the standards for working on or near energized parts. Only qualified individuals are permitted in areas where exposed energized parts operate at 50 volts or more. This voltage is sufficient to pe*****te skin resistance.

10/14/2026

While supervisors are ultimately accountable for overall safety, it's crucial that employees understand their responsibility. You must comply with all applicable safety standards, rules, and regulations for your actions and conduct.