Pre-Conference Workshops
Kick off your iP Utility Safety Conference & Expo experience with our intensive pre-conference workshops. These in-depth sessions go beyond the basics, giving you hands-on training and practical strategies to reduce incidents, strengthen compliance, and build a resilient safety culture. Led by utility safety experts, the workshops provide interactive learning opportunities designed for both frontline professionals and industry leaders. Gain insights you can immediately apply on the job while connecting with peers and solution providers who share your commitment to safety excellence.
All times reflect the local time zone of the conference venue in Glendale, AZ.
2
November
Monday
Pre-Conference Workshop
Grounding & Bonding: Principles and Practices for Overhead, Underground, Substations, and Transmission
Monday, November 2nd | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm MT | $250 per person
Mark Forster, CUSP, Gritty Tools
Earn 4 CUSP Points for Completion
Program Agenda
- Foundational Concepts and OSHA Requirements
- Principles of Grounding and Bonding
- Definitions: Grounding vs. Bonding
- Current paths, resistance, and voltage rise
- OSHA’s purpose for protective grounding (1910.269(n)
- OSHA and Consensus Standards
- 1910.269(n)(2) to (8), IEEE Std 1048, IEEE Std 524
- Maintenance of grounds (ASTM F855/F2249)
- Human Body and Electrical Current
- Effects of electric shock: let-go current, tissue damage
- Step and touch potential explained
- Testing and Applying Grounds
- Testing for absence of voltage
- Proper grounding sequence and safety checks
- Creating Equipotential Zones
- Bracket vs. EPZ grounding
- Temporary ground placement strategies
- EPZ implementation in overhead systems
- Grounding System Performance
- Impedance, current flow, and circuit continuity
- Voltage drop and hazard mitigation
- Distribution Grounding Practices
- Neutral grounding, phase grounding, cluster brackets
- Effects of improper grounding in overhead lines
- Transmission Grounding and Induction
- Stringing grounding (running, traveler)
- IEEE 524 guidance on installation safety
- Underground Grounding and Sheath Continuity
- Underground Work Practices
- OSHA 1910.269(t)(8), cable isolation, sheath bonding
- Substation Ground Grid and Equipotential Design
- Purpose and function of the ground grid
- Step and touch potential control
- IEEE 80-2000 and substation rock layer resistance
- Induction and Capacitive Coupling in Substations
- Voltage rise across ground paths
- Equipment Grounding and Lift Protection
- Rock bed isolation, bonding baskets
- OSHA 1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(C) and EPZ mats
WORKSHOPS:
Monday
- Two to choose from
CONFERENCE:
Tuesday – Thursday
- Keynote Breakfast
- Education Sessions
- Networking Lunches
- Welcome Reception
EXHIBITS:
Tuesday – Wednesday
- Daily Prize Drawings
Educational Sessions to Choose from include topics such as:
- Assessments
- Culture
- Driver Behavior and Driving Safety
- Emergency Preparedness
- Ergonomics
- Fleet Safety
- Generational Differences
- Hazard Identification and Situational Awareness
- Human Performance
- Impairment in the Workplace
- Incident Investigation
- Incident Prevention
- Leadership
- Operations Strategies
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Regulatory Standards
- Technology Trends
- Telematics
- Training
- Workplace Violence
- AND MORE!