MMUA Staff Speak at APPA E&O Conference

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MMUA Staff Speak at APPA E&O Conference

April 10, 2015

Three MMUA staffers are among the presenters at the APPA Engineering and Operations Conference, May 17-20, in Sacramento, Calif. The three are Mike Willetts, Marc Machacek and Bob Jagusch.

Willetts will speak in regards to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's updated §1926 Subpart V (Construction) and §1910.269 (General Industry) standards. The 1,600 page final rule includes requirements for electrical protective equipment and revises utility workplace safety standards.

Among the topics Willetts will cover are:

· General Training: Determine training requirements based on risk potential and hazards for workers. How to train workers to recognize, control, and avoid electrical hazards at the worksite.

· Fall Protection: Review new requirements for the fall restraint system, personal fall arrest systems in aerial lifts, implementation, and budgeting issues and costs associated with the new requirements. He will explore different brands of equipment, selection and employee considerations.

· Minimum Approach Distance: Attendees will learn how to determine and calculate minimum approach distance using the OSHA calculator.

· Arc Protection and Flame-Resistant Clothing: A look at how to assess employees who are exposed to hazards of flames or electric arcs and ensure safety precautions are taken to reduce risks.

· Job briefings, personal protection equipment, host employer/contractor provisions (information transfer), and other significant changes.

On Tuesday at the meeting, Willetts will present on Arc Protection and Minimum Approach Distance. Willetts will help attendees understand the changes and tips on implementing the new OSHA requirements.

Machacek, MMUA Regional Safety Coordinator, will present a Monday, May 18 accident Investigation Workshop. Attendees will participate in a series of facilitated, interactive accident investigations based on real-life scenarios.

Jagusch, MMUA Director of Engineering and Policy Analysis, will join a Washington attorney and Joe Nipper, APPA’s Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs & Communications, for a look at New EPA Rules: Impact on Public Power. EPA’s attempt to regulate carbon dioxide emissions by power plants through the proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for existing power plants is in fact, attempting to define not just an environmental policy but a new energy policy, notes the conference brochure. There are many questions for utilities on what the future will bring and how to be prepared.