Crew Leadership Training 26 #2

Matt Edmonds is a Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP), a Certified Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST), a Certified Instructional Trainer (CIT) and a published author with over 20 years of safety management experience. He is also an OSHA authorized instructor for General Industry and Construction standards. Matt provides specialty safety management services electric power organizations throughout the United States and he has been instrumental in the development of training courses designed for electric power organizations including OSHA 10- and 30-hour courses and NFPA 70E electrical training and program development services. Matt presently works with utilities and contractors to provide technical and safety specific training, leadership and HPI consulting and training, safety perception surveys, site audits and assessments, Root Cause Analysis and safety process evaluation and program development.

Jeremy Adcock offers a unique blend of hands-on field experience, engineering expertise, instructional skill, and safety leadership. His career spans engineering and field positions at Lansing Board of Water & Light, certification as a Department of Labor Journeyman Lineman, and work as a field engineer providing guidance to utilities on work practices and installation quality. In his current role, he manages safety program implementation, continuing education initiatives, and the Jackson College Utility Worker Program in Jackson, MI.

Module 1:

The Safety-First Crew Leader

• Zero Harm Mandate:
Define the leader's non-negotiable role in establishing and enforcing a proactive safety culture.

• High-Impact Pre-Job Briefings (Tailboards):
Move beyond checklist compliance. Master techniques for leading dynamic briefings that foster crew engagement and effective hazard identification.

• Human Performance (HP) Fundamentals:
Introduce and practice effective HP tools essential for utility work:

Stop/Pause (S.T.A.R. - Stop, Think, Act, Review)
Three-Way Communication
Peer Checking/Verification

• Accountability in Safety:
Develop consistent methods for addressing and correcting atrisk behaviors immediately, fairly, and constructively.

Module 2:

Field Operational Excellence

• Work Planning & Interpretation:
Rapidly review and interpret complex work orders, prints, and maps (schematics) to communicate a clear, efficient work plan.

• Resource and Time Optimization:
Techniques for allocating personnel, specialized equipment, and materials to minimize delays and prevent wasted time on the job site.

• Documentation Compliance:
Focus on the critical paperwork: ensuring accuracy and timely submission of daily reports, time sheets, and essential safety documentation to maintain regulatory and company compliance.

• Emergency Response Leadership:
Define the Crew Leader's responsibilities during unforeseen events (e.g., injuries, equipment failure, sudden weather changes) and effective communication protocols with the Control Center/System Operations or event manager.

Module 3:

Leading People in the Field

• Communication Under Stress:
Techniques for maintaining clear, professional, and effective communication, especially during high-stress activities or during radio exchanges.

• Conflict Resolution:
Practical steps for mediating disputes and addressing performance or behavioral issues directly and effectively to minimize disruption to workflow and/or customer perception.

• Coaching for Improvement:
Learn to deliver focused, actionable feedback to both apprentice and journey workers to elevate technical proficiency and safety performance.

• Leading the Transition:
Strategies for new leaders on establishing credibility and respect when transitioning from a peer to a supervisor.