The Electrical Alliance delivers clarity on standards to some of the area’s largest companies; has upcoming session
The Electrical Alliance is keeping safety a priority in the local construction industry by presenting the latest NFPA 70E trainings to some of the area’s largest companies.
The Electrical Alliance is a cooperative effort between the Washington, D.C. Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 26. It provides a three- or five-year accredited telecommunications or electric apprenticeship, and continuing for experienced journeyman electricians through its Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee.
Vince Miller, Washington, D.C. Chapter of NECA safety director and certified safety professional (CSP), recently presented two 70E training sessions for James G. Davis Construction (Davis) and Hitt Contracting. He also provided Lockout-Tagout orientation to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
70E is a standard of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that covers employee safety requirements for electrical exposure, focusing on practical safeguards for shock and arc flash hazards, and is a legal requirement for building owners. For owners, contractors, and electricians, arc flash is a potentially serious danger in new construction sites, and even more so in older building retrofits and upgrades. This is caused by a greater chance of more hazardous conditions existing, including mislabeled or missing equipment labels, dirt or dust accumulation, water, and undocumented system modifications, that can all add more risk to all involved.
Miller said, “Arc flash hazard protection is a major concern to building owners because of the legal obligation. It can be very complex, so it’s necessary to stay informed of preventative actions to guarantee the safest work environment, for people, property, and the environment.”
NECA’s Washington Chapter set up the training that Miller led for three of the largest general contractors in metropolitan Washington, D.C.: Davis, Clark Construction, and Hitt Contracting.
WMATA’s safety session was held for the engineering and project management staff, who provide services for infrastructure renewal, major capital projects, adjacent construction work, and maintenance department assistance. Richard L. Viner Jr., WMATA’s Chief, Infrastructure Services, said “NECA’s assistance makes it possible for WMATA and our employees who manage more than $300 million of WMATA’s new construction and rehabilitation work annually, to remain one of the most safety-conscious construction owners in the country.”
Miller is hosting an upcoming special session for clients on 70E safety in conjunction with the 2013 NECA Convention and Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This is the largest annual electrical show, and is attended by journeymen, apprentices, contractors, and clients looking to enhance their work. The session is on Monday, October 14, from 10:00-11:30 a.m., and will dramatically illustrate how owners, management companies, general contractors, and insurers can reduce their liability from electrical incidents in their facilities.
Miller explained, “Training is an important part of what we do to support the construction and service industry. It makes sense for us to invest our time and educate our peers on electrical safety, which is the number one priority in our industry, to ensure the safest work setting for all.”
Registration is required for the free October 14 session and building owners and managers, engineers, specifiers, general contractors, and insurers can register by visiting www.electricalalliance.org/sessions. Get up to code on the legal requirements of 70E through the Electrical Alliance. Contact Andrew Porter at aporter@wdcneca.org and visit www.electricialalliance.org for more information.
