ISPC Tailboard Talks

EPZ for Substations with Jim Vaughn

In episode 26, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Substations in the electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for Substations. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ in Substations and what the big differences are when working inside the fence. If the substation is an equipotential plane and everything is bonded together why is EPZ still needed. What are some of the challenges with EPZ in subs, and what is Jim’s one takeaway that all should get from this episode.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
Bierer Meters
Electric Culture of Safety
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[1:44] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters
[2:46] Tailboard Topic: EPZ for Substations
[14:01] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters
[17:00] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn
[54:01] Sponsor Message: Electric Culture of Safety
[55:35] Concussion

Tailboard Talks 25: EPZ for Transmission and Induction with Jim Vaughn

In episode 25, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Transmission and Induction in the electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for Transmission and Induction with the real difference being the increased likelihood of induction being present at higher voltages.  During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ in Transmission and what causes induction, what hazards it brings to the de-energized work area, and what challenges exist and how to overcome those. Jim also gives his final thoughts on what all levels of the organization need to understand when it comes to EPZ in the transmission space.
This episode is sponsored by:
T&D PowerSkills
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[1:48] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[2:20] Tailboard Topic: OSHA Requirements for Equipotential Grounding
[19:30] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[20:09] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn
[52:58] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[53:32] Conclusion

EPZ for Distribution and URD with Jim Vaughn

In episode 24, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Distribution and URD in electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for Distribution and URD.  During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ in overhead distribution and underground distribution and what challenges exist and how to overcome those. Jim also gives his final thoughts on what all levels of the organization need to understand when it comes to EPZ in the OH & UG distribution world.
 
This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[1:57] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[2:28] Special Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn
[6:33] Tailboard Topic: EPZ for Distribution and URD
[17:42] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[18:27] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn
[1:05:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[1:05:46] Conclusion

EPZ - The Law and the Principles with Jim Vaughn

This is the first in our six-part series on Equipotential Zones and Field Safety. Host Mark Forster sits down with industry expert Jim Vaughn to discuss the law and principles of EPZ in the electric utility industry. Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer regarding EPZ, as well as the three safety principles for grounding and bonding.  Their conversation continues by discussing EPZ laws and principles in overhead and underground distribution, what challenges exist, and how to overcome them. Jim gives his final thoughts on what all levels of an organization need to understand when it comes to EPZ.
This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[2:29] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[3:06] Tailboard Talk: EPZ – The Law and the Principles
[39:16] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[40:03] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn
[51:20] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[52:07] Conclusion
 

Grounding and Bonding: What Does the Expert Say with Jim Vaughn

In episode 22, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Jim Vaughn to discuss Grounding and Bonding in electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark, Jerry, and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in grounding and bonding, the difference between grounding and bonding and more. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing the history of grounding, the biggest misconceptions while grounding a de-energized line, bracket grounding versus EPZ, and bonding into your work location.
This episode is sponsored by: Gritty Tools, Eliminating Workplace Injuries One Tool at a Time.
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[0:58] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools
[1:56] Special Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn
[10:47] Tailboard Topic: Grounding and Bonding
[30:44] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools
[32:50] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn
[1:02:12] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools
[1:03:09] Conclusion

Education Meets Energy with Terry Clinefelter and Mike Eckart

In episode 21, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Terry Clinefelter, Department Head, Construction Technologies for Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and Mike Eckart, Training Supervisor for Oklahoma Gas & Electric to discuss training in the electric utility industry in the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment.
Mark, Jerry, Terry, and Mike discuss how colleges support the electric utility industry, how colleges rely on industry partners, how getting a degree from a college can launch your career in the electric utility industry, what it takes while at college to be successful in obtaining your degree, and how colleges assist students in securing employment after college.
This episode is sponsored by: iP Institutes Frontline Leadership Program
Attention all utility professionals! Are you ready to transform your safety leadership culture? Introducing iP Institute's Frontline Leadership Program—a comprehensive training program that will elevate safety throughout every level of your organization. Led by one of the industry’s premier leading minds, David McPeak, this program offers in-depth modules on Leadership, Human Performance, and Incident Prevention. Don’t miss your opportunity to take your organization’s safety culture to the next level. 
iP Institute's Frontline Program—empowering utility professionals to lead with confidence and safety, ip-institute.com to start your journey today!
 
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[2:03] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program
[6:48] Tailboard Talk: Education Meets Energy
[17:00] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program
[17:54] Special Guests: Terry Clinefelter and Mike Eckart
[1:00:15] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program
[1:00:29] Conclusion
 

Supporting our Veterans with Jeremy Gee, Joesph Fields, Ronnie Abernathy, and Ryan Cooper

In episode 20, host Mark Forster sits down at the 2025 Trainers Conference in San Antonio to discuss support for our veterans with four special guests. Jeremy Gee from Jackson EMC, Joesph Fields from Linetec Services, Ronnie Abernathy from Centerpoint Energy, and Ryan Cooper from Centerpoint Energy discuss utility industry support for veterans, making the transition from military life to the workforce, what each of their companies is doing to support veterans, and why veterans make a good fit for employers in the electric utility industry.
 
This episode is sponsored by:
T&D PowerSkills, LLC
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[3:51] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills, LLC
[5:25] T&D Trainers Conference Roundtable
[38:11] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills, LLC
[39:01] Conclusion
 

ISPC: The Next 20 Years with guests Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris

In episode 19, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris to discuss the next 20 years of ISPC in partnership with NWPPA and Lubbock Power & Light respectively. They discuss how the partnership started with both organizations, how we got to today, and what the future looks like.
This episode is sponsored by:
The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[1:48] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
[4:49] Special Guests: Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris
[24:23] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
[25:16] Special Guests: Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris
[44:11] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
[45:18] Conclusion