Electrical Industry Certifications Association (EICA) has been working towards adding another industry specific certification in 2020 and needs your help. EICA is needing qualified/experienced signal persons and rigger persons to take part in a verification survey that will be used to construct the test blueprint for the rigger/signal person certification. Please visit the link below and take part in the verification survey to help create an industry specific rigger/signal certification.

NECA and Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP have prepared this information sheet to help your company better understand its contract rights and obligations as they relate to the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is designed to help contractors and their in-house counsel in the process of reviewing provisions addressing delays, force majeure, change order rights and termination

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on March 24, 2020 issued guidance for employers, guidance for employees, and a set of FAQs on how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201) will affect employers and employees. This guidance will be critical to all employers – especially small- and mid-sized NECA member companies – and in particular to businesses in other industries.

NECA has advocated before the White House and the Congress to encourage the use of flexible work solutions electrical contractors, where possible. We have also asked that the federal government provide guidance to federal contracting officers regarding equitable adjustments for contractors unable to access the federal facility required to perform their duties.

On March 23, the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Labor announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law on March 18, 2020. NECA is pleased to present a series of summaries and FAQs for our contractors and chapters to utilize as they address many of the questions and concerns related to the paid sick leave, paid family leave, and other provisions of the Act. NECA is continually working to provide the most timely and accurate information to our chapters and members.

The IRS issued on March 20, 2020 Notice 2020-18. This notice supersedes Notice 2020-17 so that not only are payments for Federal income taxes postponed from April 15th to July 15th but now the filings are automatically postponed as well. The $1 million and $10 million limitations have been removed.

If you are experiencing symptoms of cold, flu or other infectious or contagious illnesses, please follow the guidelines listed in this NECA Safety Talk. Help stop any spread of germs to other individuals.

How do you practice social distancing properly? NECA’s Social Distancing Safety Talk addresses best practices for everyday life.

In an effort to address appropriate control measures and possible containment of exposure on the jobsite, NECA has developed a Safety Talk with recommended procedures that can help protect workers, businesses, customers and most importantly, family and friends. As the current situation continues to develop, NECA encourages all workers to stay in contact with their employer and follow all guidance issued for worker protection.

The U.S. Treasury Department is providing payment relief to families and businesses in response to the Coronavirus. All eligible taxpayers qualify for a deferral of their tax payment until July 15, 2020 with no penalties or interest. This relief includes estimated quarterly tax payments due April 15.

As a result of ongoing discussions and to address the recently declared National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, NECA and the IBEW have reached agreement for a national agreement to address the COVID-19 pandemic (or similar diseases) and potential emergency situations created by it. The linked “National Disease Emergency Response Agreement (NDERA)” has been reviewed and approved unanimously by the NECA Executive Committee and was made available for use effective March 16, 2020.

After a week of serious negotiations, the Senate passed legislation, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R.6201), also known as Phase II. We are pleased to report that NECA was able to work with Members of Congress to address many of the concerns related to paid sick leave and paid family leave. NECA was able to secure key changes in the legislation to restrict the economic impact of the Coronavirus on many of our contractors.

With temporary adjustments to our work schedule and working conditions, this is the perfect time for everyone to undergo personal development with online training.

NECA has developed some general guidelines and top questions pressing our Chapters and Members.

Since the announcement of the spread of COVID-19 from its origin overseas, world health organizations and associations have worked to develop guidance material and plans for protecting all public citizens from this virus and ensure proper information is communicated to everyone.

With the recent emphasis on Novel-Coronavirus, COVID-19, exposures and ongoing employer obligations, NECA has developed the following Fact Sheet to remind employers of the OSHA and Department of Labor Requirements to protect with workers in the workplace from this and other work- place exposures.

Closing a construction project on short notice should be treated as an organized integral part of the project.

NECA is pleased to report that we have received clarification concerning a reported OSHA directive to make COVID-19 a recordable illness on OSHA 300 logs.

NECA is monitoring the latest developments with COVID-19 and tracking all updated health information coming from the World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).