ISPC Tailboard Talks

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Nov 2025

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Come join us for the latest episode of Tailboard Talks, where you’ll hear safety discussions from some of the top experts in the electric utility industry!

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31 recent

November 7, 2025Episode 311 hr 1 min

Anomalies Matter with Dr. George Gela

Host Jim Vaughn interviews Dr. George Gela, PhD, Peng. Dr. Gela is an internationally recognized expert in electric utility systems with a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a distinguished career spanning research, teaching, and consulting. He has managed major R&D initiatives at EPRI, taught power systems and renewable energy at several universities, and delivered training and technical seminars across more than 20 countries. Founder of Berkshire Electric Transmission Consulting, Dr. Gela has authored hundreds of technical publications, served in leadership roles for IEC and other international organizations, and received numerous global awards for his contributions to the electric power industry. This episode is sponsored by: iP Institute’s 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 [1:03] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Frontline Program [1:12] Tailboard Talk: Anomalies Matter [5:22] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [35:22] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Frontline Program [36:13] Special Guest, Continued [57:55] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Frontline Program [58:08] Conclusion

October 24, 2025Episode 3054 min

Changing of the Guard with Jerry Havens and Jim Vaughn

Jerry Havens and Jim Vaughn kick off a new era for Tailboard Talks and discuss what’s next. They talk about upcoming guests and both the iP Conference and T&D Trainers Conference and Tradeshow. Jim also shares his experiences about writing for Incident Prevention Magazine and its early days of publication. This episode is sponsored by: UBM Utility Business Media

August 15, 2025Episode 2955 min

Cable Identification & Remote Cutting with Mark Savage

Mark Forster & Jerry Havens sit down with Mark Savage to discuss everything Underground. In this episode of ISPC Tailboard Talks, we dive into the life-saving importance of proper cable identification and remote cutting in the electric utility industry. Our guest, Mark Savage shares real-world stories, proven best practices, and critical safety steps that align with OSHA 1910.269 and NFPA 70E standards. From testing before you touch, to using multiple verification methods, to leveraging remote cutting tools that keep you outside the arc flash boundary, this conversation is packed with practical advice every lineworker and safety leader needs to hear. Whether you’re in the field or leading a crew, these insights will help you prevent costly mistakes and ensure everyone goes home safe. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:12] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [5:41] Tailboard Talk: Cable Identification and Remote Cutting [11:29] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [12:12] Special Guest: Mark Savage, Deadbreak, LLC [50:58] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [51:52] Conclusion

June 27, 2025Episode 2853 min

Navigating the New Regulatory Landscape with Mike Starner

Mark Forster Jerry Havens sit down with NECA’s Mike Starner to discuss the high-level changes under the new regulatory landscape in Washington DC and what that means for the electric utility industry in the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment. The conversation with Mike continues as they dive into regulatory changes, training, attracting new people to the industry, what is changing from a contractor standpoint, NECA’s support and standing in the industry, and lastly, Mike’s final words to the contractor industry. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [4:47] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [5:34] Tailboard Talk: What the Regulatory Landscape Means for the Outside Line Industry [15:29] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [16:13] Special Guest: Mike Starner, Executive Director for Outside Line Safety with NECA [51:24] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [52:04] Conclusion

June 5, 2025Episode 271 hr 3 min

EPZ for Trucks and Step Potential with Jim Vaughn

In episode 27, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Trucks and Step Potential in the electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for trucks and step potential. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ for trucks and step potential and what hazards are brought into the work zone at ground level for the workers working on the ground. How to protect the workers on the ground and what actually goes into protecting them. This episode is sponsored by:iP Institute’s 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 [2:05] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Front Line Program [2:13] Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn [11:28] Tailboard Talk: EPZ for Trucks and Step Potential [29:16] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Front Line Program [33:16] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [1:01:12] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Front Line Program [1:02:22] Conclusion

May 23, 2025Episode 2658 min

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

May 9, 2025Episode 2556 min

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

April 25, 2025Episode 241 hr 7 min

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

April 11, 2025Episode 2353 min

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

March 28, 2025Episode 221 hr 5 min

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