It has been a full year since our world was changed by the coronavirus pandemic. The disruptions to our lives have been many, and the one perhaps most invasive to our day-to-day routines has been the need for social distancing. All of our social contact, both for business and personal interactions, was swiftly and severely changed. Few of us knew that the dinner we had in a restaurant with friends, or the business meeting we attended last March would be our last for quite a while. Many of us who can, have been working from home. And many, if not most of us, are spending quite a few hours on videoconferences.
We are each probably familiar with at least a half dozen different platforms now. Videoconferencing is so ubiquitous that the most referred-to platform has given the word “zooming” new meaning in our lexicon. Videoconferencing has a lot of perks. I have been able to virtually attend a wider variety of conferences, lectures, social gatherings and more, than I would have been able to attend in person. And, with the rather harsh winter this year, weather-related travel concerns were not an issue. And I don’t think it is a bad thing to occasionally see a colleague’s family member or the family dog or cat on screen. It can, however, be difficult to spend many hours in the two-dimensional world of videoconferencing. Many complain of fatigue.
Videoconference fatigue
Researchers at Stanford University examined why videoconferencing causes fatigue. Led by professor Jeremy Bailenson, their study [1] outlined several reasons for videoconference fatigue:
The intensity of excessive close eye contact — constantly looking at people’s faces rather than moving our gaze to other things in a room, or to taking notes can be stressful. The authors suggest reducing the size of the onscreen window or moving the screen further away to create more personal space between yourself and the video screen.
Watching yourself on screen — it is unnatural for us to see ourselves during a meeting and can be stressful if we are critical about our own image. A suggestion is to turn off the self-view option.
Lack of mobility — we typically sit in one spot in front of the video camera, which limits our movement more that if we were meeting in person, and interpreting gestures may be more difficult onscreen than in person. The researchers suggest trying to create more distance between yourself and the screen as well as occasionally turning the camera off to take a break from the intensity of the video contact.
Another study [2] by researchers at Old Dominion University and Ohio State University uncovered some interesting results that point to less obvious factors that influence videoconference fatigue. They found that time of day of a meeting was more important than the length or number of meetings when it comes to fatigue. Videoconferences held late in the day were more tiring than those held earlier, such as right after lunch. The study also found that using the mute button to relieve anxiety about making unintentional noises during a videoconference was more important than factors around the video screen. And when participants had a sense of connection with others in the group — a sense of belonging — they tired less. ■
November 9-11, 2026Irving Convention Center | Dallas, TX
Explore this topic and more — live at Clean Americas. Join environmental, health, safety, and emergency response professionals tackling the industry's most urgent hazards. View Conference Program →
When a major incident strikes, the people stepping into Incident Command aren't always the ones who trained for it. Engineers, operators, trades supervisors, and compliance specialists may suddenly find themselves filling Command and General Staff roles — not because they volunteered, but because the situation demands it. Panelists will share practical strategies for leading without positional authority, tools and frameworks that help personnel rapidly orient to ICS roles, and approaches for closing the gap between day-to-day job functions and emergency command readiness before the next incident makes it urgent.
Speaking
Scott Andrews (Trans Mountain Canada Inc., Manager Emergency Management)
Kelly Codlin , MSPH, CIH (Marathon Petroleum Company, Emergency Preparedness Director)
Nick Hickson (Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Hazmat Training Manager)
Josh Dubach MSc, CEM (Onterris, Senior Response Management Consultant)
This session will examine produced water as the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry and one of its most pressing emerging challenges. It will address the growing volumes of produced water, the increasing regulatory and public scrutiny of constituents such as PFAS, salts, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and the operational implications for management, treatment, reuse, and disposal. The discussion will also explore how operators, regulators, and communities are redefining approaches to produced water management in response to environmental, technical, and stakeholder pressures.
Speaking
Steve Pepper, Ph.D., (Onterris, Director of Response Management)
Charles Maguire (Railroad Commission of Texas, Advisor, Oil and Gas Division)
Prof. Shane Walker Ph.D. (Texas Produced Water Consortium, Director)
Ray Cheatham (Onterris, Energy Sector Leader)
This session will present a detailed case study of a large-scale lithium-ion battery fire response that extended over 12 months. Attendees will explore the hazards associated with thermal runaway events, the operational challenges of suppressing lithium battery fires, and the response strategies that proved effective in this prolonged incident. The
Drawing on insights from U.S. EPA Region 9 wildfire response efforts, the session will also highlight tactics such as hazard characterization, air monitoring and evaluation, and household hazardous waste collection and disposal. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale battery fire incidents and the critical factors to consider when planning and executing an effective response.
Speaking
Robert W. May PG (Clean Harbors, Senior Vice President, Branch Services and Sales)
Crosley Welch (Missouri Department of Natural Resources, State On-Scene Coordinator)
Samuel Cheek , CSP, RRPT (U.S. EPA, Region 6, Federal On-Scene Coordinator)
Christopher Myers (U.S. EPA, Region 9, Federal On-Scene Coordinator)
This session introduces use of remote sensing technologies to detect, characterize and monitor spills across marine and coastal environments. Discussion will highlight how tools can integrate into modern spill response workflows to improve safety and support data-driven decision making.
Speaking
James Hanzalik (Clean Gulf Associates, Vice-President)
Gordon Staples (MDA Space Ltd., Senior Radar Applications Scientist)
Grant Coolbaugh (Applied Research Associates / Ohmsett, Mechanical Engineer)
Speaking
Allyson Purcell MEP, CEM (ConocoPhillips, CMER Director)
Michael Delio (Maxum Petroleum, EHS & SECURITY MGR)
This session provides a practical, ground‑level introduction to the essential steps required after a battery undergoes a thermal event. We’ll break down how to assess site conditions, stabilize and prepare damaged cells or packs, select appropriate containment and packaging methods, and navigate the regulatory landscape that governs transport and disposal. The lecture emphasizes real‑world decision‑making, safety considerations, and compliance requirements, giving participants a clear framework they can apply immediately in field operations or emergency response planning.
Speaking
Mark Steadman (The Battery Network, Program Manager)
Environment, Health, Safety & Security
Feeling video fatigue?
| By Dorothy Lozowski
It has been a full year since our world was changed by the coronavirus pandemic. The disruptions to our lives have been many, and the one perhaps most invasive to our day-to-day routines has been the need for social distancing. All of our social contact, both for business and personal interactions, was swiftly and severely changed. Few of us knew that the dinner we had in a restaurant with friends, or the business meeting we attended last March would be our last for quite a while. Many of us who can, have been working from home. And many, if not most of us, are spending quite a few hours on videoconferences.
We are each probably familiar with at least a half dozen different platforms now. Videoconferencing is so ubiquitous that the most referred-to platform has given the word “zooming” new meaning in our lexicon. Videoconferencing has a lot of perks. I have been able to virtually attend a wider variety of conferences, lectures, social gatherings and more, than I would have been able to attend in person. And, with the rather harsh winter this year, weather-related travel concerns were not an issue. And I don’t think it is a bad thing to occasionally see a colleague’s family member or the family dog or cat on screen. It can, however, be difficult to spend many hours in the two-dimensional world of videoconferencing. Many complain of fatigue.
Videoconference fatigue
Researchers at Stanford University examined why videoconferencing causes fatigue. Led by professor Jeremy Bailenson, their study [1] outlined several reasons for videoconference fatigue:
The intensity of excessive close eye contact — constantly looking at people’s faces rather than moving our gaze to other things in a room, or to taking notes can be stressful. The authors suggest reducing the size of the onscreen window or moving the screen further away to create more personal space between yourself and the video screen.
Watching yourself on screen — it is unnatural for us to see ourselves during a meeting and can be stressful if we are critical about our own image. A suggestion is to turn off the self-view option.
Lack of mobility — we typically sit in one spot in front of the video camera, which limits our movement more that if we were meeting in person, and interpreting gestures may be more difficult onscreen than in person. The researchers suggest trying to create more distance between yourself and the screen as well as occasionally turning the camera off to take a break from the intensity of the video contact.
Another study [2] by researchers at Old Dominion University and Ohio State University uncovered some interesting results that point to less obvious factors that influence videoconference fatigue. They found that time of day of a meeting was more important than the length or number of meetings when it comes to fatigue. Videoconferences held late in the day were more tiring than those held earlier, such as right after lunch. The study also found that using the mute button to relieve anxiety about making unintentional noises during a videoconference was more important than factors around the video screen. And when participants had a sense of connection with others in the group — a sense of belonging — they tired less. ■
Dorothy Lozowski
Dorothy Lozowski, Editorial Director
Featured Conference
When a major incident strikes, the people stepping into Incident Command aren't always the ones who trained for it. Engineers, operators, trades supervisors, and compliance specialists may suddenly find themselves filling Command and General Staff roles — not because they volunteered, but because the situation demands it. Panelists will share practical strategies for leading without positional authority, tools and frameworks that help personnel rapidly orient to ICS roles, and approaches for closing the gap between day-to-day job functions and emergency command readiness before the next incident makes it urgent.
This session will examine produced water as the largest waste stream in the oil and gas industry and one of its most pressing emerging challenges. It will address the growing volumes of produced water, the increasing regulatory and public scrutiny of constituents such as PFAS, salts, and Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM), and the operational implications for management, treatment, reuse, and disposal. The discussion will also explore how operators, regulators, and communities are redefining approaches to produced water management in response to environmental, technical, and stakeholder pressures.
This session will present a detailed case study of a large-scale lithium-ion battery fire response that extended over 12 months. Attendees will explore the hazards associated with thermal runaway events, the operational challenges of suppressing lithium battery fires, and the response strategies that proved effective in this prolonged incident. The
Drawing on insights from U.S. EPA Region 9 wildfire response efforts, the session will also highlight tactics such as hazard characterization, air monitoring and evaluation, and household hazardous waste collection and disposal. Participants will leave with a stronger understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale battery fire incidents and the critical factors to consider when planning and executing an effective response.
This session introduces use of remote sensing technologies to detect, characterize and monitor spills across marine and coastal environments. Discussion will highlight how tools can integrate into modern spill response workflows to improve safety and support data-driven decision making.
This session provides a practical, ground‑level introduction to the essential steps required after a battery undergoes a thermal event. We’ll break down how to assess site conditions, stabilize and prepare damaged cells or packs, select appropriate containment and packaging methods, and navigate the regulatory landscape that governs transport and disposal. The lecture emphasizes real‑world decision‑making, safety considerations, and compliance requirements, giving participants a clear framework they can apply immediately in field operations or emergency response planning.