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2025 NECA Safety Award Recipients

NECA’s Recognition of Safety Achievement program is comprised of 3 different categories and is an elite safety recognition focused on identifying thriving companies that excel in multiple areas of their safety and health programs. Awards are given to member companies that consistently have OSHA recordable injury and fatality rates at levels lower than the industry standard, and implement internal company safety practices above and beyond basic OSHA compliance.

Companies that consistently show no recordable injuries, illnesses, or fatalities and implement internal company safety practices above and beyond basic compliance are awarded Zero-Injury Recognition.  2025 award winners in this category are:
– E.C. Electric – Commercial & Special Project divisions
– Capitol Electric

The Safety Excellence Recognition Award acknowledges contractor’s overall safety performance. Winners are selected based on their comparison to BLS data along with their strategies to significantly address SIFs – Serious Injuries and Fatalities – with other electrical contractors working over 100,000 labor hours. Award winners in this category are:
– Capitol Electric
– Dynalectric Company
– E. C. Electric – Industrial division

The third category, Small Contractor Safety Excellence, is new this year and specifically measures safety performance of small contractors working less than 100,000 labor hours. This award recognizes the exceptional effort electrical contractors make, despite limited resources, to ensure the safety of their employees. Award winners in this category are:
– E. C. Electric – Commercial & Special Projects division

NECA will announce all award winners at the NECA Safety Professionals Conference in May.  Plaques and letters of recognition will then be distributed directly to award winners in June.

 

 

 

OSHA Updates Guidance on Exposure to Shock & Arc Flash Hazards

OSHA recently released updated guidance on arc flash safety, highlighting the dangers of low-voltage systems and emphasizing the need for proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including arc-rated clothing, for nearly all energized work above 50 volts, even on seemingly low-voltage systems.  This marks the first significant update to arc flash guidance from OSHA in nearly 20 years.

 

Key points about the new OSHA arc flash guidance:

Focus on low voltage – The guidance specifically addresses the misconception that low-voltage systems are safe from arc flashes, emphasizing that even 120/208 volt systems can cause severe injuries if not handled properly.

Proper PPE required – OSHA reiterates that all energized work above 50 volts should be done with appropriate arc-rated PPE, including clothing, to prevent burns from arc flashes.

De-energized but not locked out – The guidance clarifies that even if equipment is considered “de-energized,” if it is not properly locked out or tagged out, it must be treated as energized and requires proper PPE.

Training and awareness – The new guidance emphasizes the importance of worker training on arc flash hazards, proper PPE use, and hazard identification.

 

Multiple documents – OSHA has released a detailed document for employers and simplified one-page “quick cards” for workers to easily reference key information.

 

 

Why is this update important?

Increased electrification – With the growing adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy, more workers are exposed to potential arc flash hazards.

Misconception about low voltage – Many workers mistakenly believe low voltage systems are not a significant arc flash risk.

 

Preventing injuries – This new guidance aims to reduce the number of arc flash injuries and fatalities by addressing common misconceptions and promoting better safety practices.

 

The NIETC provides our contractors and members a sample Energized Electrical Work Policy that aligns with OSHA’s Construction and General Industry electrical safety regulations.  It is based on the 2024 edition of the NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace and includes applicable references to the NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, 2023 edition.  Contact me if you would like a copy.

NIETC Update on NFPA 70B Relationship to NEC & 70E

The NIETC has developed an informative presentation to help contractors and members better understand the application of the new NFPA 70B, 2023, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.  While not formally adopted by OSHA or other agency yet, providing guidance to owners of electrical equipment on the reasons why preventative maintenance is so critical can lead to improved safety for our teams and reliability of electrical systems for owners.  Additional benefits include proper selective coordination, short circuit studies, arc flash hazard labels and additional work for our contractors and electricians.  Contact Barry for more information.

 

 

 

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