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Press Releases

NECA to Testify at OSHA Hearing on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rulemaking

Jun 2, 2025

Washington, D.C. — The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) will participate in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hearing and Post-Hearing Procedures for the proposed rule on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. NECA’s testimony will be delivered on June 18, 2025, during the 9:30 AM session of OSHA’s virtual Informal Rulemaking Hearing by Mike Starner, Executive Director of Outside Line Safety.

Since OSHA initiated the rulemaking in October 2021, NECA has taken a proactive role in shaping the development of a final standard that supports both worker safety and the unique demands of the electrical construction industry. NECA has engaged members through surveys, participated in stakeholder meetings and Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panels, and produced comprehensive resources to help contractors prepare for proposed requirements.

“NECA continues to advocate for practical safety solutions that reflect the real-world conditions faced by our members and their workers,” said Starner. “Our position is clear: any final rule must be flexible, grounded in science, and focused on critical safety components like access to water, rest, shade, and proper training.”

Starner will underscore NECA’s support for a heat illness prevention standard that improves jobsite conditions while also stressing the importance of exemptions for emergency storm response operations. “In these situations, electrical contractors must work quickly to restore essential services. We are urging OSHA to recognize the unique nature of these activities when finalizing the rule,” he said. NECA’s involvement in the rulemaking process reflects the organization’s commitment to advocating for standards that protect workers while maintaining operational viability for contractors.

For more information on NECA’s advocacy efforts related to the OSHA Heat Injury and Illness Prevention rule, contact NECA Safety at [email protected].