Utility Safety Podcast by Incident Prevention Magazine

• Utility Safety Podcast: Deep Dive: Bucket Truck Safety: OSHA Standards and Other Considerations Written by Danny Raines, CUSP

  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 operating near energized lines. You’ll learn why dielectric testing matters, how improper tool placement can lead to serious hazards, and what often-overlooked basics can prevent catastrophic incidents. Whether you’re in utility operations, safety management, or just curious about what keeps linemen safe, this is your shortcut to understanding critical compliance. Gain practical takeaways, understand real-world challenges, and walk away with a new appreciation for the safety systems behind the power grid.   Read the article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/bucket-truck-safety-osha-standards-and-other-considerations/   Key Takeaways: OSHA 1910.67 is the foundational standard for bucket truck safety. Daily lift control tests and proper bucket stance are mandatory safety practices. Class A (barehand) and Class B (gloving) trucks serve different functions and require different protective strategies. Fall protection is a non-negotiable requirement—fall distance and impact risk must be minimized. Misconceptions about insulation and inadequate cover-up procedures are common contributors to incidents. 3 Podcast Questions and Answers:   Q1: Why is OSHA 1910.67 considered the backbone of bucket truck safety? A1: Because it outlines non-negotiable requirements such as daily lift control testing, safe bucket operation, and movement restrictions—all of which are essential to preventing falls and electrocution.   Q2: What’s the key difference between Class A and Class B bucket trucks? A2: Class A trucks are designed for direct contact with high-voltage lines and rely on the boom’s insulation, while Class B trucks require full cover-up and rubber glove protection due to lower insulation properties.   Q3: What unsafe practice is commonly observed and highlighted in the article? A3: Moving trucks with elevated booms without proper exemption, and workers failing to properly cover energized parts—both of which dramatically increase risk.   Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine - https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/ Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/   Danny Raines, CUSP, is an author, an OSHA-authorized trainer, and a transmission and distribution safety consultant who retired from Georgia Power after 40 years of service and now operates Raines Utility Safety Solutions LLC.   #UtilitySafety #BucketTruckSafety #OSHAStandards #LinemanSafety #ElectricalUtilityWork   ________________________________ This podcast is sponsored by T&D Powerskills. If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!

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• Silencing the Noise: Creating a Culture of Actionable Safety and Synchrony with Bill Martin, CUSP

  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 explain how empathy, respect, and clear communication are essential for building a culture where safety improvements take hold. Listen in for practical strategies on fostering trust, testing new ideas without fear, and removing barriers that block true team alignment. If you’re ready to rethink compliance culture and help your crew take meaningful action, this episode is for you.   Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine - https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/ Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/   ✅ Key Takeaways Safety success depends on synchrony: Teams need shared purpose and alignment to move beyond noise and see real change. Empathy and respect matter: You don’t have to like everyone you work with, but respecting them enables effective collaboration. Defensiveness is a barrier: Recognize and manage defensive reactions to open the door to candid discussion and feedback. Test and evaluate constantly: Progress requires trying new approaches and learning from all outcomes, not just repeating old rules. Culture change is leadership’s job: Leaders must remove barriers to buy-in, making space for collective learning and growth.   3 Questions and Answers   Q1: What does “synchrony” mean in safety culture?   A: Synchrony is getting everyone on the same page, working toward a shared goal. It’s like a football team running plays in sync or an orchestra staying in tune—it ensures teams work together efficiently and safely. Q2: How can leaders encourage buy-in from crews?   A: By removing barriers to participation, listening to feedback, and creating a culture where workers can test and evaluate new ideas without fear of judgment. Buy-in emerges naturally in an environment of trust and shared purpose. Q3: Why is reducing “defensiveness” so important on the job?   A: Defensiveness blocks communication and critical thinking. By pausing before reacting, crews can shift from compliance mode to discovery mode—enabling safer, smarter decisions on the ground.   #SafetyCulture #UtilitySafety #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamworkMatters #ActionableSafety     ________________________________ This podcast is sponsored by T&D Powerskills. If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!

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• Utility Safety Podcast - Visual Intelligence for a Safer Grid: The Future of Utility Inspections

  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, and reduce operational costs. They also discuss the challenges of adopting new technologies, bridging the field-office communication gap, and what utility safety professionals can expect in the next 5 to 10 years. This conversation is essential for those interested in data-driven decision-making, infrastructure safety, and the future of AI in the energy sector.   To reach Kaitlyn directly, email her at [email protected] or connect via LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlyn-claire-albertoli/   Key Takeaways: Buzz Solutions uses AI-powered visual intelligence to help utilities identify risks and improve inspection accuracy. Their platform PowerAI analyzes images from drones, helicopters, and field crews to prioritize maintenance and reduce operational costs. Integration with GIS and asset management systems makes implementation efficient and less disruptive. Buzz’s tools support storm prep, wildfire mitigation, and long-term grid modernization. Education and communication are key to AI adoption across all levels of a utility organization.   Questions & Answers   Q1: What problem does Buzz Solutions aim to solve for utilities? A: Buzz helps utilities manage and analyze vast visual datasets, allowing them to spot infrastructure issues early, prioritize repairs, and eliminate data silos.   Q2: How does PowerAI differ from general AI tools? A: PowerAI is a purpose-built platform that uses machine learning for visual inspection analysis, making it highly specific to the utility industry’s unique needs.   Q3: What concerns do utilities have about AI adoption? A: Many worry AI could replace jobs or be unreliable, but Buzz focuses on “visual intelligence” to support—not replace—field experts and improve safety decisions.   Q4: Can this technology help prevent wildfires or major outages? A: Yes, by analyzing infrastructure degradation and identifying high-risk components early, utilities can proactively address threats before they escalate.   Q5: How can utilities ensure smooth adoption of Buzz’s solutions? A: Success hinges on integrating into existing workflows, gaining buy-in from field users, and automating data flow into GIS and asset management systems.     Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine - https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/ Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/   #UtilitySafety #VisualIntelligence #GridModernization #AIinUtilities #UtilitySafetyPodcast #InfrastructureInnovation   ________________________________ This podcast is sponsored by T&D Powerskills. If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!

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• Built In, Not Bolted On with Doug Hill, CUSP - Rethinking Job Briefs - Why the End of the Day Matters Most

  In this episode of Built In, Not Bolted On, host Doug Hilts 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 outlines how three simple questions can spark a culture of continuous improvement and safer work environments.   ✅ Key Takeaways Pre-job briefs are essential—but post-job briefs may hold even more value in fostering continuous improvement. A “mid-day check-in” helps adjust controls based on changing conditions like weather or job scope. Successes should be analyzed as deeply as failures to uncover replicable best practices. Three core post-job questions—What went well? What didn’t? What can we learn?—drive future safety improvements. Brief, honest conversations at the end of the day can improve the next day’s job planning significantly.   Q1: Why is the post-job brief considered more valuable than the pre-job brief by aviation professionals? A1: Because post-job briefs provide real-time insights and lessons learned from completed tasks, which shape better, more informed pre-job briefs the following day.   Q2: What are the three questions Doug recommends asking during a post-job brief? A2: 1) What went well? 2) What didn’t go well? 3) What can we learn to improve for the future?   Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine - https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/ Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/   #UtilitySafety #SafetyCulture #AfterActionReview #WorkplaceSafety #JobBriefing #ContinuousImprovement ________________________________ This podcast is sponsored by T&D Powerskills. If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!

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• Utility Safety Podcast - Deep Dive - The Good Shepherd - Leading with Safety and Trust

  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 Leadership Model—Competence, Commitment, Caring, Courage, and Credibility—we break down what it truly takes to earn trust, lead effectively, and create a culture of protection and performance. Whether you’re guiding a crew or shaping safety policy, this episode will challenge you to reflect on your leadership response and deepen your impact.   Read the article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/the-good-shepherd/   Key Takeaways: The C5 Safety Leadership Model offers five foundational qualities: Competence, Commitment, Caring, Courage, and Credibility. Leadership is not about authority—it’s about earned trust and interdependence, just like a shepherd and their flock. Real courage in safety often shows up in small but meaningful moments, like speaking up or making difficult calls. Caring is the heart of effective safety leadership—it fuels the other four C’s. Credibility is fragile; it’s earned through consistent action, not job titles. Questions and Answers: Q: What does a shepherd-sheep analogy teach us about safety leadership? A: It highlights the interdependent relationship between leaders and teams—just as sheep need guidance and protection, teams rely on leaders who are competent, committed, caring, courageous, and credible.   Q: What is the most important trait in the C5 model? A: While all five are critical, the episode emphasizes that Caring sits at the center—without genuine care, the other traits lose their power.   Q: How can a leader build trust in their team? A: By consistently demonstrating the five C5 traits. Trust is earned through action, particularly in how leaders respond to challenges, errors, and opportunities.   Q: Why is credibility considered the foundation of the C5 model? A: Because without credibility, leadership influence breaks down. Teams follow leaders they trust, not just those with authority.   Subscribe to Incident Prevention Magazine - https://incident-prevention.com/subscribe-now/ Register for the iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo - https://utilitysafetyconference.com/   #SafetyLeadership #TrustAndSafety #UtilitySafety #C5Model #ServantLeadership #WorkplaceCulture   About the Author: David McPeak, CUSP, CIT, CHST, CSP, CSSM, is the director of professional development for Utility Business Media’s Incident Prevention Institute (https://ip-institute.com) and the author of “Frontline Leadership – The Hurdle” and “Frontline Incident Prevention – The Hurdle.” He has extensive experience and expertise in leadership, human performance, safety and operations. McPeak is passionate about personal and professional development and believes that intrapersonal and interpersonal skills are key to success. He also is an advanced certified practitioner in DISC, emotional intelligence, the Hartman Value Profile, learning styles and motivators. About Frontline Fundamentals: Frontline Fundamentals topics are derived from the Incident Prevention Institute’s popular Frontline training program (https://frontlineutilityleader.com). Frontline covers critical knowledge, skills and abilities for utility leaders and aligns with the Certified Utility Safety Professional exam blueprint.   ________________________________ This podcast is sponsored by T&D Powerskills. If you are looking for a comprehensive lineworker training solution, visit tdpowerskills.com today and use the exclusive podcast listener promo code IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!

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