NIOSH Electric Utility Research Priorities
Jack Sahl, PhD, Southern California Edison Co.
NIOSH National Occupational Research Agenda is being established to identify high priority research needs to help prevent at work injuries and protect employee health. Industry support and participation is important to ensure that this program is effective and adds value to the implementation of injury prevention programs.

Washington Update: Update on regulatory and standards issues affecting the industry.
IH Issues Update - Thomas K. Frank, Ameren
NFPA 70E Update - Kathleen C. Wilmer, Duke Energy
NESC Update - James R. Tomaseski, IBEW
OSHA Update
Stephen C. Yohay, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Charles J. Kelly, Edison Electric Institute

Wellness
Barbara Ortiz, Progress Energy
In 2007 Progress Energy launched a wellness program and it was the most successful launch in the administrator's 30-year history. This presentation will include the wellness business case, keys to success to launch or enhance a program, the strong link between wellness and safety, lessons learned, and tips to engage and motivate employees.

Recent Changes in Trench Compliance and Competent Person Activities
Mike Kelly, Start Group
This presentation will cover recent changes in the application of the OSHA Trenching and Excavation Standard (1926.650). and will focus on specific trenching issues relevant to the distribution and transmission of electric power. In addition to communicating these issues, the presentation will provide "cutting edge" insight into the solving of these issues.

EPRI Safety & Health Research Update
Gabor Mezei, MD, Ph.D., Electric Power Research Institute
The presentation will provide an overview of ongoing research work at the Occupational Health and Safety Program of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). Current research focus includes injury surveillance, ergonomic evaluation of electric utility workers’ tasks, crystalline silica detection methodologies, and evaluation of exposure to nanoparticles at power plants.

Nanoparticles - NIOSH Research Program
Laura Hodson, NIOSH
Many questions have been asked about the safety of dealing with free nanomaterials in the workplace during their production and their use in a growing number of 'nano-enabled' products. NIOSH is aggressively pursuing answers with a comprehensive research agenda. This presentation will provide an update on that work.

Public Safety Initiative
Brett C. Brenner, Electrical Safety Foundation International
Charles J. Kelly, Edison Electric Institute
This session will serve as the formal announcement of the EEI Public Safety Initiative. Based on feedback from industry members over the last year EEI is responding to the need to place a greater, more consistent focus and message on public safety. EEI staff, along with staff from ESFi will present an overview of the future formation of a new EEI committee and samples of what a positive pubic safety program should/may include.

Wind Association Report
Kathleen C. Wilmer, Duke Energy
Update on proceedings of the American Wind Energy Association Safety Conference.

Arc Flash Update – Industry Panel
Kathy Wilmer, Duke Energy
Ralph E. Dudley, Tennessee Valley Authority
Kevin Medley, United Illuminating Co.
Matthew McFarland, Consolidated Edison Co of NY
Charles A. Shaw, Alabama Power Co
Members of the panel will discuss their companyies’ efforts to comply with the NESC rule requiring arc flash protection for transmission and distribution personnel by January 1, 2009.

New Considerations for: "If it is Silica – it’s not just Dust"
Donna Ringo, DMR & Associates
Ms. Ringo will present the toxicology of silica, including recent research findings and updates from NIOSH. In addition, she will provide information about OSHA activities related to silica and discuss her experiences working with litigators as an expert witness.

Lockout/Tagout Issues In General Motors Decision
Stephen C. Yohay, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
A discussion on the decision issued December 4, 2007 by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission in General Motors Corp., CPCG Oklahoma City Plant. Those who attend this session will be expected to have read the lengthy decision as the time will be spent discussing its meaning, rather than summarizing what it says. Access the decision at: http://www.eei.org/meetings/nonav_2008-04-27-cs/DOLvGMOKCity.pdf.

Citations/Accidents Review Panel
Stephen D. Cox, Kansas City Power & Light Co
Review of a pipe failure at Latan Plant that resulted in 2 fatalities, one serious injury and 3 serious citations from OSHA.

Mike Doran, Allegheny Energy Inc.
Discussion of a recent dozer operator fatality on generation station coal pile.

David Gielow, Duke Energy Corp.
Summary of several serious injuries that resulted from falls through or from floor grating in power plants.

Samuel L. Teets, Dominion Energy
Review of the November 6 Salem Harbor Unit 3 boiler incident involving 3 fatalities.

Hexavalent Chromium Exposures in the Utility Industry
Jeff Gilbert, E.ON U.S.
An update of the results of air monitoring data compiled to date from various utilities and discussion of the use of this data to support "objective data" requirements of OSHA's Hexavalent Chromium standard. Additional monitoring and data collection needs will also be addressed and an end user tool for determining appropriate controls based on the data collected will be shared.

Confined Space – Construction vs General Industry
John Bavin, Consumers Energy
A review of OSHA’s proposed confined space for construction standard with a comparison to the current general industry standard. The importance of participating in the rulemaking process will be discussed.

Asbestos Training Issues in both Gas and Electric Operations
Davis E. Frederiksen, Rochester Gas & Electric Corp