Back to News

July 11, 2019 LEARNING AND RECOGNITION FROM NECA

MYR GROUP SUBSIDIARIES EARN NECA SAFETY RECOGNITION, LEARN LATEST STANDARDS AND TECHNIQUES

National Electrical Contractors Association logo

Safety representatives from Sturgeon Electric and various MYR Group subsidiaries attended the National Electrical Contractors Association’s (NECA) 2019 Safety Professionals Conference in May, the electrical construction industry’s premier annual safety event. Attendees received the most up-to-date information on regulation, compliance, management techniques, and standards development that impact safety and health in our industry.

Sturgeon Electric Las Vegas Safety Manager Kodi Green, Sturgeon Electric Las Vegas Safety Manager and District Manager Kenny Whipple appreciated the guest speakers who provided many occupational safety learning opportunities.

“The opportunity to learn from the industry’s top experts and share how we can make our operations safer, more efficient, and more profitable is priceless,” said Green. “Learning about important topics such as NFPA changes and how human behavior impacts risk and safety culture were especially valuable to me. We’ve already begun communicating information and implementing new ideas learned at the conference with our crews.”

Mike McClure, MYR Group’s regional training director, presented the 2019 Electrical Transmission and Distribution (ET&D) Partnership Quarterly Refreshers and Continuing Education breakout session. As a founding member of the partnership, MYR Group representatives continue to work with industry stakeholders to improve safety for workers through development and reinforcement of safety best practices for the line construction industry.

Mike’s session sparked interest from non-members, highlighted the success of the partnership’s efforts to significantly reduce injury in the industry, and stressed compliance with continuing education for all members.

“I always come away with great information to share with my group and a few new contacts as well,” said Jim Foley, Harlan Electric regional safety manager. “Although the sessions are geared more toward inside electrical related topics, they always have plenty for the outside folks and plan to expand the offerings for the line side.”

Mike Lyons, a Harlan Electric safety manager and first-time attendee, was impressed with the variety of topics available. “I really enjoyed the sessions on identifying and preventing workplace violence and human performance, as well as seeing all the newest safety products displayed at the vendor forum,” he said.

Kenny Whipple of Sturgeon Electric

“I think safety starts at the top, with a culture that is hard to teach and train. We want to show our employees that we are here to teach it and preach it from the top, all the way down.”

– Kenny Whipple, Sturgeon Electric District Manager, Las Vegas, Nevada

CONFERENCE TOPICS SPARK VISIT FROM NECA EXECUTIVES

As a result of discussions at the conference, NECA CEO David Long became interested in the energized work training program we provide employees since there are numerous “no hot work” policies currently in effect among customers and potential clients.

We invited NECA President and COO of Rosendin Electric Larry Beltramo and NECA Safety Director Wes Wheeler to join Mr. Long on a visit to Denver to learn more about the program. Kenny Whipple and Bryce Perkins, Sturgeon Electric district manager, and Zach Valdez, regional safety manager, assisted with the meeting.

The meeting was a success, and we are planning to teach a breakout class on energized work at next year’s convention to be held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

View a recap of the event

NECA SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM RECOGNITION

On May 26, NECA announced the winners of the 2019 Recognition of Safety Achievement Program.

We’re pleased to announce that the following Sturgeon Electric district offices attained recognition for safety performance in 2018:

Las Vegas, NV (C&I)*

Auburn, WA (C&I)*

Phoenix, AZ (C&I)*

Phoenix, AZ (T&D)

Tucson, AZ (C&I)

Chino, CA (T&D)

Henderson, CO (C&I)

Henderson, CO (T&D)

*Recognition of Achievement of Zero Injury