NECA

2009 NECA Board of Governors Meeting Convenes in Seattle

Adopts New Policy on Safety

The National Electrical Contractors Association held its annual Board of Governors meeting today in Seattle. Governors from 119 chapters approved a new standing policy on safety programs and safe workers, elected five new district Vice Presidents, and discussed the economic issues facing the association and construction industry.

While NECA and its member electrical contractors have long supported safe construction practices and programs, the association has never adopted a formal policy statement on safety. The newest standing policy breaks new ground by urging all NECA members to strive for "zero energy work environments," where electrical work is done on de-energized systems as often as possible.

Jerry Rivera, NECA Director, Safety, was extremely pleased with the Board's adoption of the policy.

"It puts in writing what our contractors have always practiced – the idea that worker safety and jobsite safety is non-negotiable," Rivera said. "We know that NECA contractors have the strongest safety programs in the industry, and this policy is an expression of that commitment." Full text of the standing policy follows below.

The governors also elected five new district Vice Presidents. Vice Presidents represent their district on the Executive Committee and serve as chairs on NECA standing committees. Newly elected Vice Presidents will take office on Jan. 1, 2010, and serve a two-year term.

• District 3      Lanny Thomas
• District 5      Chris Schoolcraft
• District 7      Daniel Schaeffer
• District 9      Stanley Lazarian
• Vice President at Large     Ron Autrey

District 1 Vice President David MacKay was elected to a second term.

The board also heard extensive reports on NECA finances. Like many associations, NECA's revenue from member dues and other sources has declined this year. NECA CEO John M. Grau assured the board that while the association had taken significant steps to reduce expenses in light of lower projected revenue, that the national and field staff was still delivering the services members rely on.

"I would say the mood for NECA is sober right now," Grau said. "We have to be extremely careful with our expenses, but we aren't cutting any member services. That is not an option."

NECA President Rex Ferry praised Edwin Hill, International President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, for his leadership during tough times. "We've made real progress together for the entire industry," Ferry said. "Ed understands that it's going to take extraordinary efforts to remain competitive, and we have been able to explore new initiatives and agreements together this year."

NECA believes that safety is an integral part of achieving excellence in the electrical contracting business by maintaining the highest productivity, quality, and safety standards in a proactive, practical, and cost effective approach to manage organizational loss control. NECA members demonstrate safety professionalism and responsibility through every aspect of work and services they provide including designing, planning, construction, service work, and implementing operations with a minimum of disruption to customers. NECA’s commitment to jobsite safety is reinforced by placing special emphasis in quality safety training programs that integrate safety into project pre- planning and project management.

NECA, historically, has supported and continues to support the highest safety standards in construction for the benefit of its members, the industry and the consuming public. NECA actively advocates maintaining the safest and most productive workplace possible. NECA members appreciate the benefits of a workplace free from injuries, the advantage of a productive work force, and the responsibility of offering a safe working environment. To that end, NECA believes that to achieve zero injuries in the workplace, members must strive for zero energy work environments as the normal and best practice, whenever achievable.

NECA members understand jobsite safety is an important responsibility shared between employers and employees and affirms that implementing safe work practices is not optional. The association believes that a trained and qualified workforce has responsibility to recognize and avoid workplace hazards and, where necessary, employers provide appropriate personal protective equipment for workers exposed to workplace hazards.

NECA remains active in government relations and rulemaking processes related to worker safety. The association actively participates in electrical safety standard development, such as NFPA 70 the National Electrical Code, and NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace and other safety legislation that affects the industry. NECA is committed to supporting collaborative effective efforts in industry alliances and partnerships sharing common safety objectives.

The goal of NECA members is to maintain a safe and healthy workplace for all employees and to foster efficient operations, thereby offering the best possible product and services to the construction customer. Effective safety-related work practices and principles must be integrated into the planning and installation of electrical work as well as into design.

NECA members recognize that implementing effective safety programs and safe work practices is often challenged by cultural differences and other distractions that are not in best interest of employees or employers and they are dedicated to solving these problems while establishing and maintaining safety in the workplace. Safety Excellence results from safe work practices that continuously strive for Zero Injuries. NECA’s commitment to safety excellence and safe work environments remains active, focused and constant.

Contact Information

Beth Margulies, Director, Public Relations

240-461-4769, beth.margulies@necanet.org