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| Spring 2008 - EEI Occupational Safety & Health Committee Conference - Louisville, KY |
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.
Charles J. Kelly, Edison Electric Institute
William A. Mattiford, Henkels & McCoy, Inc
This session will update the group on the accomplishments of the OSHA Electrical T&D Partnership and the EEI Contractor Safety Initiative. The “Partnership” has been in operation for almost four years and its contractor members have seen significant decreases in fatalities and deaths since its inception. This along with the creation of core best practices and two OSHA approved training programs has enabled these contractors to raise the level of safety within their respective companies. The EEI Contractor Safety Initiative was formed in response to a CEO initiative to have the industry focus on contractor safety in a more consistent manor. This session will update the group on the “model contractor safety program” being developed by the Executive Task Team.
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.
Work Zone Protection
Dr. Tapan Datta, Wayne State University
Chad A. Martin, DTE Energy
The presentation will discuss the development of utility work zone temporary
traffic control guidelines and training programs as a part of FHWA Grant No.
DTFH61-06-G-00006. It will focus on the risks associated with utility work zones
and the recommended temporary traffic control to improve the safety of workers
and motorists.
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.
Occupational Exposure Assessment of Diesel Emissions
Paul J. Webb, National Grid
How do you address concerns regarding the health risk from diesel emissions?
This presentation will review the current industrial hygiene understanding of
how best to evaluate and control this hazard. A copy of National Grid’s diesel
emissions IH procedure will serve as the basis for discussion during the
presentation.
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.
Air Sampling/Analytical Issues Silica/Coal Dust/CrVI
Robert Lieckfield, Jr, Bureau Veritas North America
Presentation on current sampling and analytical methods for crystalline silica
and update on hexavalent chromium.
Silica – OSHA’s revised National Emphasis Program on Silica
Larry D. Taylor, Arizona Public Service Co
On February 1, 2008 OSHA established a revised National Emphasis Program for
Silica. This presentation will include a review of the revised program and a
discussion of the impact to electric utilities.
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
