EC&M On Air

Episode 79 features an audio-only version of a popular gallery that recently ran on the EC&M website called "What's Driving Women Out of Construction?" This gallery offers statistics from a survey conducted by The National Center for Construction Education and Research. The findings offer insights on some of the elements that are keeping women from entering and remaining in the construction industry. 

Tune in to the audio-only version of this gallery, read by Ellen Parson, editor-in-chief of EC&M. 

Philip Keebler, technical advisor to PBE Engineers, joins the podcast to discuss the relationship between power quality and electrical safety with Ellen Parson in Episode 78. In this discussion, Keebler explores how poor power quality, such as voltage sags, transients, and harmonics, can compromise electrical safety, increase arc flash and fire risks, and cause critical equipment failures. He also dives into the importance of proactive design, proper grounding, and overcurrent protection coordination to mitigate these hazards.

In today's episode, we're highlighting an audio-only version of a popular past article from Mark Lamendola, long-time EC&M contributor and electrical safety expert, on the importance of check steps when it comes to electrical work and better job-site safety. 

In Episode 76 of EC&M On Air, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson sat down with David Lincoln, senior vice president at Rosendin, to discuss some really cool technology they're implementing throughout their solar installations. They have been using robots to increase the efficiency and safety of building solar energy fields. Ellen and David dive into this exciting practice and how robotic technology can help electrical contractors perform work (like solar) faster and more effectively. 

Episode 75 features a special edition of EC&M On Air, where we are highlighting insights from past EC&M Under 30 All Stars! Today's guest is Hazen Ring, account service manager with Vanguard Electrical in Fort Worth, Texas. Hazen and Ellen discuss tips for young folks in the industry, technology worth exploring, and more. 

In Episode 74 of EC&M On Air, we're featuring another audio-only version of a popular piece of past content from the EC&M website. Today, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson is highlighting the most unusual power outages of 2024, which was a photo gallery based on data gathered by Eaton. It covers some of the wildest and weirdest causes of power outages in the United States and Canada. Listen to hear about some of these unique electrical instigators, or check out the original gallery. 

In this episode of EC&M On Air, we're featuring an interview conducted at PowerTest 25 in March 2025 by Ellen Parson with Lanny Floyd, adjunct professor (principle consultant, electrical safety and technology), The University of Alabama at Birmingham. They got the opportunity to discuss Lanny's presentation at PowerTest 25, hosted by NETA, entitled "Advanced Risk Factors for Electrical Safety." Topics covered include:

• Why there has been a steady decline in electrical fatalities in the United States over the past decade.
• New safety approaches from major organizations like OSHA, NIOSH, and NSC.
• How human behavior and decision making drive electrical safety outcomes.
• Strategies for integrating advanced risk factor analyses into existing electrical safety programs.
• Defining how "expanding our thinking" will lead to improved electrical safety outcomes.

In Episode 72 of EC&M On Air, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson reads an audio-only version of a past popular article from the EC&M website. Today, she features "Maintaining Safe Ladders on Job Sites," written by Mark Lamendola, an electrical consultant to EC&M, and originally published in February 2025.

Episode 71 of EC&M On Air features another interview with a past Under 30 All-Star! This time, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson interviews Khalid Hachil, an electrical engineer with Stantec. They discuss why Khalid decided to enter the electrical industry, insights from an electrical engineering perspective, and tips for other electrical engineers looking to advance in their career and better understand technological trends. 

Check out Khalid's original 30 Under 30 profile for more information about him. 

This episode features Part 2 of EC&M Editor-in-Chief's conversation with Philip Keebler, technical advisor to PBE Engineers. They cover common misconceptions throughout the power quality industry that electrical professionals need to be aware of.

In case you missed it, check out Part 1 of this conversation, where Ellen and Philip discussed economic factors of PQ issues.