NECA Safety Round Up

In this month's NECA Safety Round Up Podcast, Mike and Wes are joined by NECA's very own, Katie McCormick, Executive Director of Meetings and Events to discuss this year's NECA Show in Chicago.  With so many safety offerings, the Safety Roundtable, education on NEC and upcoming changes, and the addition of a new outside line village on the show floor dedicated to construction and utility workers in our electrical industry, there is something for everyone at NECA 2025! Plan now to be a part of the NECA Show in Chicago, you don't want to miss it! Spoiler alert! If you just want to check-out the latest innovations in tech and safety, Katie will let us know how to gain access to the NECA Show floor to see what is new and what is coming for electricians and electrical contractors.  Don't miss this episode of the NECA Safety Round Up Podcast!

Register using the code #FREECHI for free access to the NECA Trade Show in Chicago!

Gabriel Atencio, CHST, CSP, STSC, a longtime ASSP member and current Chair of the ASSP Construction Specialty Practice, joins Mike and Wesley to discuss member involvement in safety organizations and the benefits of networking within these communities. As an EH&S Solutions Leader, he has been involved with providing guidance to many employers and safety personnel in our industry.  In addition, since recording this program, ASSP recognized Gabriel with an ASSP Certificate of Appreciation for his dedicated work. Congratulations Gabriel! Please enjoy and learn more from our conversation this month on the NECA Safety Round Up! 

Join Mike Starner and Wes Wheeler on the NECA Safety Roundup Podcast as they discuss summer heat stress management with Dylon Koch from Working Athlete. Learn practical strategies for recognizing heat stress, proper hydration practices, and preventing heat-related workplace incidents. Stay informed to keep your teams safe and healthy this summer!

Get ready for an action‑packed episode as Mike Starner and Wes Wheeler dive into NECA’s latest safety highlights—from rallying behind Work Zone Awareness Week and Construction Safety Week to Wes’s upcoming mission in Boston for NECA Boston Safety Day. We’ll gear up for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference and give you a sneak peek at our fall lineup, including The Utility Expo and the NECA Convention. Tune in for all the energy and insider updates!

In our latest NECA Safety Roundup Podcast, Mike Starner and Wes Wheeler explore the Veterans Electrical Entry Program (VEEP), an initiative that connects veterans to the electrical industry. Guests Jason Iannelli and Donnie Farmer share insights on how VEEP leverages military experience through intensive training, mentorship, and strong industry partnerships, empowering veterans to transition smoothly into rewarding, safety-focused careers.

Please join Mike and Wes as they welcome NECA representatives for the NFPA 70E Technical Committee, Jason Wolfe and Bradley Caudwell.  They will discuss the recent proposed changes and updates from the 70E first draft meetings held last year and talk about the upcoming second draft meeting to be held over the summer. The first draft report for the next NFPA 70E is now available at www.nfpa.org/70E and the comment period is open for you to provide input on these proposed changes.  After you navigate to that page, click on the next edition tab to see the proposed language and changes for 2027. Don’t be a bystander, get involved in the process and provide your voice, you may just have a great suggestion for the future.

In the latest episode of the NECA Safety Roundup Podcast, hosts Mike Starner and Wes Wheeler are joined by George Arhos (IBEW) and Virgil Melton (Electrical Training Alliance) to discuss the growing demand for qualified medium-voltage cable splicers. Learn how advanced training programs and certifications like the NCSCB are raising the bar for safety, quality, and reliability in the electrical industry. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on why investing in competency is critical for contractors, customers, and the workforce!

"Please join NECA, and member company Alterman Electric as their Spanish safety professionals discuss Mental Health in the Spanish Community and Workforce. It is an important topic that affects everyone in Construction.  Please share this message with all workers who may speak Spanish as a primary language.  And Remember, "It's Okay to Not Be Okay," Reach out and call 988 if you need assistance." 

Join Wes and Mike as they invite Scott Margolin, an industry expert on Arc Flash Garments and protection for workers around electrical hazards. Scott was a featured Keynote for the NECA Safety Professionals Conference, NSPC, in 2016 and works with many others in the testing and development of Arc Rated Garments and has recently worked closely with OSHA through the organization "Partnership for Electrical Safety" developing guidance.  His insight into the comparison of training for hazardous hobbies and training for electrical hazards shows how proper preparation will keep you safe and alive!
https://www.osha.gov/electrical/flash-hazards; https://tyndaleusa.com/fr-safety-resources/

Please join Mike Starner and Wes Wheeler for this episode of the NECA Safety Round Up. Recorded at the 2024 NECA Show in San Diego, they discuss preparing for safety at the show, the NECA Safety Roundtable Discussion and many of the topics that were presented by NECA Safety.  There were also discussions about the NECA Safety Professionals Conference as well as the NECA Safety Professionals Institute. This is a great way to hear all that NECA Safety has delivered and upcoming in 2025! Stay Safe!