Guest Post: Do Red Sox Count as PPE?

by Michael Johnston, NECA Executive Director of Standards and Safety

Amazing how fast the 2010 NECA convention is approaching. It’s hard to believe it will be here in just a couple months. What always impresses me about the NECA convention is the amount of valuable information for our members and the industry, on top of some of the best social events and networking opportunities in the industry.

Being born and raised in the New England area, I maintain a continuous following of the Boston Red Sox and wouldn’t you know it, this convention has been coordinated to allow attendees to experience a contest between old rivals – the NY Yankees and Red Sox ! The opening reception at Jillian’s should be a great time for all with plenty of entertainment, food and drink, and yes, cheering on the Sox next door with a great view of all the action at Fenway Park.

Being so active in electrical safety and training related to codes and standards, I was totally impressed in the line-up of offerings put together for this NECA convention. It seems NECA just builds on this year after year.

What is really exciting is the expansion of programs being offered that address the outside line industry. I’m really looking forward to the programs on the ETD Partnership Best Practices, EEI’s Electrical Contractor Safety Initiative Program and NJATC’s Outside Line Construction Training Program. Wow! NECA is even providing an OSHA 10 course for the outside line workers. So not only will these attendees get to take in the excellent trade show exhibitors, they can gain training credits needed by completion of this training program.

The 2011 National Electrical Code® is scheduled to be published in September of this year. NECA has left no stone unturned as far as bringing the latest and greatest information that provides exceptional educational value for attendees. I’m so excited to be teaming with Jim Dollard to provide a 4-hour session that highlights the significant changes that have been accepted in the 2011 NEC.

The general sessions are outstanding this year and promise to provide all the inspiration one could manage. The undersea exploration presentation by Dr. Ballard and the sharing of Michael Durant’s experiences will intrigue us all. Based on past experiences, the labor relations session once again, promises to take on difficult issues and provide valuable insight into ways to meet the challenges we face in daily operations.

I mentioned the social events, keynote speakers, training events, and networking opportunities, but I was also really blown away at entertainment provided at this NECA convention closing celebration. A tribute to the Beatles music couldn’t be more appropriate or popular, in my opinion, but then again, I love Beatles music! The Fab Four: A Tribute to the Beatles will be performing at the NECA and will certainly provide all the musical entertainment that the all can relate to.

Without question, NECA has pulled out all the stops as far as assembling the functions for this year’s convention and trade show. I’m so excited to be part of it and look forward to seeing you there at the NECA Show!

You Gotta Have the Stamp: OSHA 10 Hour Course at NECA 2010 Boston Will Deliver It

OSHA’s 10-Hour safety course has been the standard for general industry and electrical safety for years, but only recently did owners and general contractors begin demanding to see stamped cards verifying a worker’s successful completion of the course.

We know you don’t have any time to waste, so we’ve gone the extra step to ensure that you get everything you need by participating in an educational session at NECA 2010 Boston – including the stamped OSHA 10-Hour course card at our pre-convention workshop, OSHA 10 for Outside.

OSHA 10 for Outside is a two-day pre-convention workshop for high-voltage line contractors and workers. The workshop will begin Friday, Oct. 1, from 1-5 p.m. and continue Saturday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., with an hour-long lunch break at noon. The cost for both days is $300. And yes, participants who successfully complete both days will receive their much-prized stamped OSHA 10-Hour card by mail shortly afterward!

>>More information about the pre-convention workshop “OSHA 10 for Outside”

>>Register for NECA 2010 Boston NOW!

>>Already registered, but want to add the pre-convention workshop “OSHA 10 for Outside” to your registration? Here’s how!

Jerry Rivera Geeks Out Over Safety Sessions at NECA 2010 Boston

YEEHAW! Okay, I just had to release that sudden burst excitement that NECA Boston 2010 brings to all of us working in electrical construction.

Let me start by saying that the entire event will have some great activities, exciting displays and awesome training opportunities.

But you know me — when it comes to safety, I just can’t keep my excitement to myself. Mike Callanan may call himself a “training geek,” but I am an original Safety Nerd. So here’s the inside scoop for all us Safety Nerds (I know I’m not the only one!) about NECA Boston 2010.

For the second year, I will be hosting a Safety Roundtable, Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2:30-5 p.m. for everyone interested in discussing their latest safety practices and concerns. The roundtable will have something for everyone. For NECA’s District 10 members, we’ve invited a member of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction staff to discuss significant changes to the Cranes and Derricks rule. Our inside members will enjoy a high-level review on OSHA regulatory activates and how it will impact electrical contractors.

By all means, the roundtable isn’t the only things happening on safety at NECA 2010 Boston. Check out the ETD 10 Hour Course by James McGowan from Quanta; Safety Best Practices technical session by Steve Cavanaugh from MYR Group; and NFPA 70E 2012 Changes with Palmer Hickman and myself.

All kidding aside, safety is an issue NECA members truly take to heart, and I’m really looking forward to spending time with folks who have as much invested in keeping our companies and workers safe as I do. So don’t wait to be told about everything that happens in Boston — experience it live by attending NECA Boston 2010!

Connect with Jerry Rivera and learn more about NECA’s safety programs on LinkedIn.