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Sep 18

Safety Roundtable Recap

NECA 2014 Chicago provided attendees with useful information on new technologies, installation methods, tools, materials as well as safety resources. With this much information available, selecting which training session to attend can sometimes be challenging.

One session, the sixth-annual Safety Roundtable, was an excellent opportunity for contractors to have a two-way discussion on NECA’s safety-related activities, OSHA regulations, and general electrical industry safety needs. Wes Wheeler, NECA Director of Safety, moderated the 2-hour class which included reports from Palmer Hickman, ETI (NJATC) Director of Codes and Safety Standards, and Safety Task Force Chairman, George Adams.

The following is a recap of the core discussion topics:

  • Status of new or revised safety & health regulations – 2015 NFPA 70E released and now supersedes all previous editions (voluntary), OSHA formally delays crane operator certification requirements for 3 more years, Silica and Confined Space proposed rules pending, Haz-Com (GHS) written program required by June 2015, T&D arc flash hazard analysis and PPE requirements for 2015.
  • NECA Safety Resources – Application of Safety Meeting and PPE Selector Apps, newly revised employee safety handbooks, NFPA 70E guides – Contractor Responsibilities and 2015 Significant Changes.
  • Miscellaneous – OSHA / IBEW requirements for injury reporting, value of leading indicators when using prompt near miss reporting, uniformity between NECA contractors when dealing with energized electrical work tasks, challenges when dealing with safety related disciplinary issues.

The next Safety Roundtable takes place at the upcoming NECA Safety Professionals Conference, May 18-20, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona. I encourage you, or your safety representative to attend if possible.

Jul 17

Get Smart: Attend the Safety Forum at NECA 2013 Washington DC

Second Annual Safety Forum at NECA 2013 Washington DC
Saturday, Oct. 12 – Sunday, Oct. 13
$250 member/$599 non-member/Included with Weekend Package registration

When it comes to electrical construction, safety is everyone’s job. However, it takes a real leader to make safety a company priority. If you manage a workplace or jobsite safety program, enforce or develop safety standards, supervise workers, oversee a facility, or simply strive for a safe work environment, you need to attend the second annual Safety Forum at NECA 2013 Washington DC.

Mike Johnston, NECA Executive Director, Standards and Safety, discussion arc flash protection.

Mike Johnston, NECA Executive Director, Standards and Safety, discussion arc flash protection.

Safety leadership requires people who are ready to motivate people around a common purpose. Safety leaders see benefits not just for their workers, but as a tool to grow their companies. Today, clients are demanding evidence of effective safety performance and the integration of safety and health management systems to job site safety. Safety and health has evolved from a regulatory drive activity to and business development tool.

The Safety Forum goes beyond the basics. It is your opportunity to network with your industry peers, share best practices, and hear directly from the leaders developing and enforcing U.S. safety practices.

Safety standards evolve rapidly in the electrical industry. You need the most up-to-date information and resources, and the Safety Forum will deliver them on the issues that affect us every day:

Supervisor’s Guide to Job Safety * NFPA 70E for Contractors * Arc-Flash Protection
Systems Approach to Electrical Safety * ARC-Flash Hazard/Incident Energy Analysis*
OSHA Compliance

You can attend the Safety Forum by registering for a Weekend Package, as an a la cart program, or with your full registration. >>

Sep 30

Plan, Prevent, Protect: At the Safety Forum

NECA’s first Safety Forum at convention yesterday brought together a dedicated group of safety professionals from both high voltage and inside electrical contractors.

The group kicked off with a breakfast discussion led by Scott Margolin from Westex, who offered up compelling evidence for the important of PPE when electricians are working hot. Margolin’s presentation included dramatic slow-motion video of the damage that occurs in an arc flash incident. “You can see there’s a lot of molten copper in there,” he commented. “That metal is more than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. So even if you’ve avoided the initial blast, the real damage can occur after the incident.”

Westex was a key supporter in bringing safety to the forefront of education programs at NECA 2012 Las Vegas. In addition to the Safety Forum, management seminars and technical workshops on safety are scheduled throughout the event.

“Safety has to be a partnership, not just between employees and employers, but between manufacturers and users,” Margolin said. “We learn what the true concerns and hazards are from contractors, and we can respond to those needs.”

Mike Johnston, NECA executive directors, standards and safety, was gratified by the discussions at the forum, “Shifting a safety culture in the electrical industry requires education, communication, and cooperation, as well as a thorough understanding of the specific hazards involved and how to avoid them – that’s the goal of “safety through design,” he said. Another valuable aspect of this conference was the focus not only on what safety rules require, but how to effectively implement them.

NECA Vice President George Adams  has made safety a core value of his company by frequently asking, “is this the best we can do?” Adams challenges the notion that “productivity is king,” believing productivity, quality and safety have equal value. He wrote about his experiences in a recent column published by the Oregon Daily Journal of Commerce.

Sep 12

What’s On the Safety Forum Schedule?

The best value in safety education is the new Safety Forum at NECA 2012 Las Vegas. This special two-day workshop for inside and line contractors starts Saturday, Sept. 28 with a breakfast discussion about preventing arc flash hazards from Westex.

“Safety is as important as productivity and quality on a job site,” said Mike Johnston, NECA executive director, standards and safety. “The Safety Forum is a great way to learn about the practices and policies that can make a difference in a contractor’s operations.”

Following the discussion are separate breakout sessions for inside and line contractors. View the tracks and session descriptions online.

Line contractors who need to earn their ET&D OSHA 10 Course can also get their training in Friday, Sept. 28-Saturday, Sept. 29. This course is a separate registration fee from the Safety Forum.

The Safety Forum will wrap up with the Safety Roundtable, Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. following the Opening General Session and lunch.

Register now!

Jul 31

More Safety Than Ever at NECA 2012 Las Vegas

Safety Roundtable

Sunday, September 30, 2012 at 1:00 am – 2:00 pm

The Safety Roundtable is being conducted for the third consecutive year. The roundtable allows for two-way discussion on NECA’s Safety related activities and electrical industry needs. Participants will have the opportunity of hearing and engaging in the lively discussions. Learn more about education offerings at NECA 2012 Las Vegas >>

NECA Safety Forum

September 29-30, 2012
Presented by NECA Premier Partner Westex™

The Safety Forum focuses on how rapid changes in the electrical industry are requiring electrical contractors to be on the leading edge of many safety and health requirements. Clients now demand evidence of effective safety performance and the integration of safety and health management systems to jobsite safety. Safety and health has evolved from a regulatory drive activity to and business development tool.
NECA’s Safety Forum brings together a collection of leading industry presenters that provide clear vision of existing and new safety rules and how to implement effective compliance strategies. The Safety Forum isn’t exclusively for safety professionals; business owners, project management staff and supervisory personnel who want to know how this evolving aspect of the industry could affect their duties will benefit, too. See the full schedule, and register now >>

Electrical Transmission & Distribution OSHA 10 Course

Saturday and Sunday September 28-29, 2012
8:00 am – 5:00 pm

The ET&D OSHA 10 Hour is introductory awareness course for electrical line construction. The course is conducted over a two days of classroom instruction. The course objective is to train trainers to enhance accident prevention, review electrical safety principles and how it relates to today’s electrical line construction industry. It’s intended to prepare workers to gain an understanding of how to identify concepts and techniques of electrically safety related work practices of line workers. The course also covers an overview of OSHA construction safety regulations with an emphasis on electric generation, transmission and distribution (1910.296 and 1926 Subpart V). Upon completion participants will receive an OSHA 10 Hour card with the ET&D Partnership logo. (Course is not part of the Safety Forum or Weekend Package) Pricing: $450

Register Now >>

Jul 05

What’s Next for NECA Safety Professionals?

Following the success of the second annual NECA Safety Professionals Conference, NECA will offer a specific selection of vital safety tracks presented at the new Safety Forum at the NECA convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Presented by NECA Premier Partner Westex™, the Safety Forum focuses on how rapid changes in the electrical industry are requiring electrical contractors to be on the leading edge of many safety and health requirements. Clients now demand evidence of effective safety performance and the integration of safety and health management systems to jobsite safety. Safety and health has evolved from a regulatory drive activity to and business development tool.

NECA’s Safety Forum brings together a collection of leading industry presenters that provide clear vision of existing and new safety rules and how to implement effective compliance strategies. The Safety Forum isn’t exclusively for safety professions; business owners, project management staff and supervisory personnel who want to know how this evolving aspect of the industry could affect their duties will benefit, too.

The NECA Safety Forum will be held Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 1 from 8-9:30 a.m., following by the popular NECA Safety Round Table at 1-2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Jun 10

What’s Next for NECA Safety Professionals?

Following the success of the second annual NECA Safety Professionals Conference, NECA will offer a specific selection of vital safety tracks presented at the new Safety Forum at the NECA convention in Las Vegas, Sept. 29-Oct. 2.

Presented by NECA Premier Partner Westex™, the Safety Forum focuses on how rapid changes in the electrical industry are requiring electrical contractors to be on the leading edge of many safety and health requirements. Clients now demand evidence of effective safety performance and the integration of safety and health management systems to jobsite safety. Safety and health has evolved from a regulatory drive activity to and business development tool.

NECA’s Safety Forum brings together a collection of leading industry presenters that provide clear vision of existing and new safety rules and how to implement effective compliance strategies. The Safety Forum isn’t exclusively for safety professions; business owners, project management staff and supervisory personnel who want to know how this evolving aspect of the industry could affect their duties will benefit, too.

The NECA Safety Forum will be held Saturday, Sept. 29 from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. through Sunday, Oct. 1 from 8-9:30 a.m., following by the popular NECA Safety Round Table at 1-2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

Learn more about NECA’s 2nd annual Safety Professionals Conference at NECASafetyConference.com >>

May 22

NEW! Safety Forum at NECA 2012 Las Vegas

The shared responsibility of workplace safety is a vital concern for electrical contractors and their employees. NECA’s the first-ever Safety Forum at its national convention, Saturday, Sept. 29 – Sunday, Sept. 30, will go right to the heart of what it takes to achieve and maintain safe work environments.

From company safety programs to employee training to NFPA 70E updates, you will get the latest information right from electrical construction safety leaders. Learn how to clearly demonstrate your company’s safety commitment to customers and potential customers and how to implement new safety rules throughout your workforce.

Safety Forum topics at NECA 2012 Las Vegas will include:

·         ET&D OSHA 10-Hour Course
·         Arc Flash Hazard and Protective Strategies
·         NECA’s System Approach to Safety
·         Leading Safety Indicators
·         NFPA 70-E Changes: What Contractors and Electricians Need to Know
·         OSHA’s New Standards for Power Transmission, Distribution and Electrical PPE
·         National Electrical Safety Code 2012 Changes

NECA is widely acknowledged as the industry’s best source for safety information. Save your company time, resources and lives by taking advantage of our Safety Forum at NECA 2012 Las Vegas!

May 16

2012 EDUCATION TRACKS OVERVIEW

NECA education tracks are a series of strategies, best practices and newest technology grouped in five tracks of related topics. Each track is filled with hours of content presented by the industry’s leading experts geared to providing strategic and practical solutions for electrical contractors. If your firm is expanding into one or more of the alternative energy markets, then attend the Energy Solutions track, or send one of your colleagues to cover the information while you attend the Management Track. And, make sure your Safety Director attends the Safety Track. Each theme runs from pre-convention workshops to the management sessions to the technical workshops on the NECA show floor. These new streamlined tracks will help you keep up with the ever- evolving needs of the industry.

ELECTRICAL
There is so much to stay abreast of in the world of technology and best practices. This track covers vital information such as pre-fabrication, significant NEC® code changes, measuring power consumption, new tool technology, leveraging BIM, and more.

ENERGY SOLUTIONS
These sessions are a continuation of the Energy Forum, providing an in-depth look at alternative energy opportunities available to electrical contractors. Topics covered include Smart Grid, Solar/PV, the vast market for lighting and controls retrofits, NECAWORKSTM, EVSE, and much more.

LINE CONSTRUCTION
Line contractors are working in extraordinary times. They are at the forefront of electrical grid improvements, smart meters, broadband technology, and distributing power from renewable sources nationwide, as well as safety improvements. The only way your business can be prepared to take advantage of all the emerging market opportunities in our industry is to be exposed to new ideas and solutions. Attendees will find all the latest information and updates.

MANAGEMENT
Immerse yourself in the leadership skills and knowledge you need in order to contribute more effectively as a key member of your management team. Driving improved business results through enabling technologies is crucial to grow sales, reduce expenses, and improve organizational effectiveness.

SAFETY
This safety track extends the learning from the Safety Forum. Topics include new OSHA enforcements, NFPA 70E compliance updates, safety through design, lightning protection advances, and more.

PLAN YOUR SCHEDULE
Attendees will find a complete matrix of the tracks on our website at ww.necaconvention.org. The matrix chronologically outlines all sessions by related topic, so you can customize plan your NECA 2012 Las Vegas education program to fit your business needs.

Oct 07

Savings for NECA 2011 San Diego Safety Track Programs

Did you know that you can register EXCLUSIVELY for the NECA 2011 San Diego Safety Track programs, without any additional registration or event costs?

Safety professionals can now build on the knowledge they gained at NECA’s first Safety Professionals Conference with a dedicated education track focused exclusively on the training, regulations and policies they need to do their jobs—all for just $500 (price does not include pre-convention workshops).

The Safety Track at NECA 2011 San Diego is an affordable and accessible way NECA supports our inside and outside electrical safety professionals. Safety Track courses at NECA 2011 San Diego include pre-convention workshops, management seminars, technical workshops, and the Safety Roundtable.

PRE-CONVENTION WORKSHOPS

OSHA ET&D 10 Hour Train the Trainer Course
Friday, October 21
8 a.m.–5 p.m., PW-3
(Two-day course continues Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
Instructor: Joe Branco, Corporate Safety Manager, Quanta Services
$450

OSHA ET&D Supervisory Leadership Skills Outreach Train-the-Trainer Course
Friday, October 21
8:00 am–5:00 pm, PW-4 (Three-day course continues Saturday, Oct. 22, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23, 8 a.m.–12 noon)
Instructor: James A. McGowan, Director, Safety Training, Quanta Services
$500

Changes in the NFPA 70E 2012
Saturday, October 22
8 a.m.–12 noon, PW-8
Instructors: Palmer Hickman, NJATC Director of Codes and Safety Training and Curriculum Development; and James Dollard, Jr., Safety Coordinator, IBEW Local 98
$145

MANAGEMENT SEMINARS

OSHA’s Regulatory Update Impacting Line Contractors
Sunday, October 23
8:00–8:50 am, M-1  •  9:00–9:50 am, M-8

Surviving the Changes to the Crane Standard
Sunday, October 23
8:00–8:50 am, M-2  •  9:00–9:50 am, M-9

Surviving Today’s OSHA
Monday, October 24
8:00–8:50 am, M-3  •  9:00–9:50 am, M-24

OSHA Partnership: What are the Benefits of the OSHA Electrical Transmission & Distribution (ET&D) Strategic Safety Partnership for All Line Contractors
Monday, October 24
9:00–9:50 am, M-20

TECHNICAL WORKSHOPS

Workplace Efficiency and Safety: What Contractors Should Know about NFPA 70E and Insulated Tools
Sunday, October 23
12-12:50 p.m., Room 1, ET-1

Line & Truck Grounding for Today’s Lineman
Sunday, October 23, 2011
1–1:50 pm, Room 1, ET-2

Understanding the Arc Flash and NFPA 70E
Sunday, October 23, 2011
2–2:50 pm, Room 1, ET-4

Arc Flash Mitigation and NEC Code and Compliance
Sunday, October 23, 2011
3–3:50 pm, Room 2, ET-6

>>Still unsure about attending NECA 2011 San Diego? The $500 Safety Track flat rate is STILL open for registrants! Register now!