NECA Contractors and IBEW Electricians Lead the Way in Job Safety During COVID-19 Pandemic

Job sites evolve as workers and business owners adopt new protocols

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Michigan Chapter and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 665 are leading the local electrical construction industry in keeping employees and customers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

NECA-affiliated business owners and IBEW 665 leaders are working together closely to ensure the highest possible safety protocols are followed on all job sites.

The unique labor-management partnership of the union electrical construction trade allowed the industry to quickly adapt to the pandemic and put new safety measures in place.

“NECA electrical contractors and IBEW electricians are leading the way in keeping our employees and customers safe,” said Neil Parish, NECA Michigan Chapter Executive Director. “Every construction site has a different set of safety protocols due to COVID-19, and we’re adjusting accordingly.”

Prior to the pandemic, IBEW and NECA were already recognized as safety leaders in the electrical construction industry, with a workforce that is trained to the highest possible standards. 

When construction work resumed after the Stay Home, Stay Safe order expired in early June, NECA-affiliated contractors were provided with a COVID-19 Exposure Prevention, Preparedness and Response Plan. This multi-page plan outlines the responsibilities of managers, supervisors and employees and the steps they must take to keep all parties safe at all times. (See example here.)

Weeks later, NECA contractors and IBEW 665 are remaining vigilant in order to stop the spread of COVID-19 while providing the high-quality electrical services their customers expect. 

“Our team of electricians and contractors have worked together to implement new measures that keep everyone safe while we keep getting the job done,” said Aaron Pangborn, business manager of IBEW 665. “Despite the current challenges, we continue to hold ourselves to the highest standards of safety and quality, as we have for decades.”