Incident Prevention Magazine

12/24/2025

Wishing you a safe and happy hashtag season from the team at Incident Prevention!

We are already gearing up for a powerful 2026, packed with the education and tools to supercharge your performance in the field.

View Here: https://mailchi.mp/b93a70a55ae1/give-the-gift-of-safety-winter-tips-education-ip-utility-safety-conference?e=%5BUNIQID%5D

12/23/2025

‘Avoid Contact’: Correctly Understanding the MAD Without a Distance Written By: George Cole (CESCP, CUSP, CESW, CIT, SGE)

The "Myth Buster" (Best for engagement) ⚡ Is "Avoid Contact" the most misunderstood phrase in electrical safety?

Too many workers interpret the 50-300V standard as simply "don't touch it"—but "careful behavior" isn't a safety barrier. This article breaks down why the "Rubber Up or Cover Up" mandate is non-negotiable, even for secondary voltages.

Electrical workers must recognize that ‘avoid contact’ requires them to rubber up or cover up – including when contact is possible with secondary voltages.

Stop letting "low voltage" complacency compromise your crew. Read the full breakdown on properly understanding MAD and RAB here. 👇

Read It: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/avoid-contact-correctly-understanding-the-mad-without-a-distance/

Key Takeaways:

- "Avoid Contact" Requires Action, Not Just Caution: The phrase "avoid contact" (used for voltages between 50-300V) is often dangerously misinterpreted by workers as simply "don't touch it." In reality, regulations require that entering this zone be treated the same as making intentional contact, necessitating active insulation measures.

- The "Rubber Up or Cover Up" Mandate: To safely cross the Minimum Approach Distance (MAD) or Restricted Approach Boundary (RAB), a worker must either insulate themselves from the energy source (using rubber gloves/sleeves) or insulate the energized parts from themselves (using blankets or covers).

- Secondary Voltages Are Deadly: The article highlights that low voltage does not equal low risk. Historical data shows numerous fatalities from 120V contact, proving that secondary voltages require the same rigorous safety protocols and respect as primary voltages.

- MAD/RAB Components: These safety boundaries are calculated using two critical elements: an electrical component (preventing flashover/sparkover) and an ergonomic component (accounting for human error and inadvertent movement).

Understand minimum approach distances to ensure electrical safety and avoid hazards when working with power lines.

12/21/2025

6 Seasonal Strategies for Worker Well-Being - By Clint Lozar with Terex Utilities

Read it here: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/6-seasonal-strategies-for-worker-well-being/

This article outlines six strategies to maintain worker safety and well-being during the holiday season and into the New Year, focusing on managing stress, avoiding distractions, and reinforcing safety protocols during busy times.

3 Key Takeaways:

- Don't Rush: Time scarcity can lead to errors; always prioritize safety procedures over speed, even during hectic periods.

- Prioritize Self-Care: Adequate sleep, nutrition, and healthy coping mechanisms are essential for maintaining the mental focus needed for safe decision-making.

- Re-focus After Holidays: Use the "STAR" tool (Stop, Think, Act, Review) and team refreshers to combat "rustiness" when returning to work after time off.

Explore 6 seasonal strategies for worker well-being to manage stress and enhance safety during the busy holiday season.

12/21/2025

When the System Isn’t Enough: How to Create Personal Motivation That Saves Lives By: Thomas Cohenno III

📖 Read the full article here: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/when-the-system-isnt-enough-how-to-create-personal-motivation-that-saves-lives/

We often rely on rigorous protocols, checklists, and compliance to keep our teams safe. But even the best systems have limits. Real safety evolution happens when we bridge the gap between "have to" and "want to."
A recent article by Tom Cohenno explores a powerful new frontier in safety management: combining the Total Worker Health (TWH) framework with Motivational Interviewing (MI). The goal? To move beyond mere compliance and ignite a personal commitment to safety that lasts.

💡 Key Takeaways:

- Beyond the Checklist: Traditional safety systems are the baseline, not the ceiling. True protection requires personal agency and "defensive" working habits, much like defensive driving.

- The Power of Agency: Real change sticks when people choose safety because it aligns with their own values, not just because it’s a rule.

- Total Worker Health (TWH): This NIOSH framework integrates safety, occupational health, and well-being, recognizing that a thriving worker is a safer worker.

- Motivational Interviewing (MI): Borrowed from healthcare, this technique replaces the "carrot-and-stick" approach with methods that spark internal motivation and self-awareness.

- Closing the "Knowing Gap": Honest, non-judgmental assessments help individuals see the difference between how safe they think they are and their actual behaviors, driving a natural desire to improve.

- It’s time to stop relying solely on the system and start empowering the individual.

Learn how to create personal motivation that saves lives when the system isn't enough in this insightful safety series.

12/18/2025

Inspecting the Fifth Wire: Winning the War on Lineworker Su***de written by Thomas Murphy & Brian McKeon

Read the Article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/inspecting-the-fifth-wire-winning-the-war-on-lineworker-su***de/

Key Takeaways:

- Reframing Su***de: Utility organizations should view su***de not just as a personal issue, but as a workplace injury that requires proactive training, similar to how apprentices are taught to climb poles safely.

- The "Fifth Wire" Concept: Beyond the physical wires they work on, lineworkers must be trained to inspect the "invisible wire" connecting them as human beings to ensure no one breaks under pressure.

- Alarming Statistics: Su***de rates in the construction and utility sectors often exceed fatal work injuries, highlighting an urgent need for industry-specific mental health interventions.

"Left of Bang" Intervention: The article encourages training workers to spot behavioral changes (staying "left of bang") and intervene before a crisis occurs, relying on peer intuition rather than just clinical tools.

***dePrevention

Addressing the silent epidemic of lineworker su***de: discover the need for comprehensive support and training in the industry.

12/17/2025

Join Incident Prevention and CM Labs Simulations for an insightful webinar, "Dangers & Safety in Overhead Utility Work: Training Safer Operators Through Simulation."

📅 Date: January 21st 🕐 Time: 1:00 p.m. ET🔗 Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3617648850286/WN_5ZDFNNUOTg29CoZdHlYGtQ

Overhead line work remains one of the most critical yet hazardous occupations in North America. With fatality rates significantly higher than the national average, traditional training methods often struggle to fully replicate the high-risk, unpredictable conditions crews face in the field.

Key Takeaways:

- Bridging the experience gap and addressing workforce shortages.
- Why traditional methods alone may not be enough for high-risk prep.
- How simulation lowers training costs while accelerating onboarding.
- Using data-driven approaches to standardize safety across crews.

Webinar Speakers:
Trinidad R. Tejpal & Devon van de Kletersteeg

12/16/2025

New alert with Pam Tompkins, CSP, CUSP

Listen here: https://utilitysafety.podbean.com/e/safety-by-design-human-and-organizational-performance-with-pam-tompkins-csp-cusp/

Key Takeaways:

The "Blame" Trap vs. System Design: Traditional safety often assumes employees should be perfect 100% of the time. HOP accepts that people will make mistakes and focuses on fixing the systems (procedures, equipment, pressures) that support them, rather than trying to "fix" the people.

The 5 Principles of HOP: The episode outlines five foundational principles:

- People will make mistakes.
- Error-likely situations are predictable.
- All human actions are influenced by context.
- Operational upsets can be avoided.
- How we respond to failure matters.

Identifying Error Traps: Many incidents are preceded by "error traps"—predictable conditions like fatigue (working 16+ hours), unfamiliar tasks (e.g., a mobile sub not used in a year), or unclear switching orders. Identifying these early prevents errors from becoming accidents.

The Critical Role of Leadership Response: A leader’s reaction to a failure determines if an organization learns or hides. Asking "Who messed up?" creates fear, while asking "What conditions led to this?" builds trust and encourages the reporting of near-misses.

Learning From Daily Work: You don't have to wait for a major accident to learn. Simple habits, like a two-minute "after-action review" at the tailgate or informal learning teams, can uncover operational gaps before they cause harm.



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 IP2025 to receive a 5% discount!

Read the article - https://incident-prevention.com/blog/safety-by-design-human-and-organizational-performance/ In this installment of the Safety by Design podcast series, host Nick sits down with Pam Tompkins, President and CEO of SET Solutions, to explore the transformative philosophy of Human and....

12/15/2025

Forecasting the Future of Utility Safety: 10 Predictions for 2026 and Beyond

Read the article: https://incident-prevention.com/blog/forecasting-the-future-of-utility-safety-10-predictions-for-2026-and-beyond/

The utility sector is on the brink of a technological overhaul. According to a recent article by Shawn M. Galloway in Incident Prevention, the next decade will see a massive shift in how we approach safety and operations.

Here are the key takeaways:

- Smart Tech is the New Standard: From Smart Grids to IoT sensors, digital monitoring will drive reliability and proactive maintenance.

- Safety Goes High-Tech: Drones, Robotics, and Smart PPE will increasingly handle hazardous tasks, keeping human workers out of harm's way.

- Data & Training Evolution: Advanced Data Analytics will help predict and prevent incidents, while Augmented Reality (AR) will revolutionize how workers train for the field.

- Cybersecurity is Critical: As infrastructure becomes more connected, robust cybersecurity measures will be non-negotiable.

3 Key Questions on the Future of Utility Safety:

1. What technologies will we see adopted first? Answer: We can expect Drones for infrastructure inspection, Smart PPE, and Advanced Data Analytics to become standard tools within the next 3-5 years.

2. How will training change for utility professionals? Answer: Training is moving from the classroom to the virtual field. Augmented Reality (AR) will provide immersive simulations of real-world hazards, likely becoming a standard tool within 5-7 years.

3. Why is now the time to invest? Answer: While full adoption of some tech (like robotics) may take a decade, investing in modern safety solutions today prepares your organization for the future and signals a strong commitment to worker and community safety.

Explore our predictions for the future of utility safety with ten innovations set to transform the sector by 2026 and beyond.

12/09/2025

Every day, we make countless choices. Some barely register, but others? They ripple outwards, shaping our culture and defining our relationships. Take a breath and reflect before making the big ones.

12/09/2025

Being intelligent doesn't guarantee good emotional decisions. This video explores why even the smartest people can struggle with their emotions—and how to find balance. Cultivate your emotional intelligence!

12/09/2025

This video breaks down the E+R=O tool and its power to transform your life. Learn how defining your desired outcomes helps you navigate challenges, especially in personal relationships. It's simpler than you think!

12/09/2025

If something's off, skip the guessing games. Just ask, 'What's bothering you?' Then let them know you genuinely want things to be good. A direct approach can work wonders.