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NECA News

New Requirements for Mobile Elevated Work Platforms

Beginning December 10, 2019, employers, owners and operators are required to comply with ANSI’s new A92 standards for mobile elevated work platforms (MEWP). ANSI/SAIA A92.22-2018 Standard for Safe Use of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms addresses the design of new aerial lift equipment and ANSI-SAIA A92.24-2018 Standard for Training Requirements for the Use, Operation, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms provides an overview of required training for operators, supervisors and maintenance personnel.
The soon to be released, NECA Guide to Aerial Lifts (Index #5031-20), is a jobsite guide designed to assist members in complying with ANSI MEWP equipment and training requirements. This will be available in the NECA Store beginning in January 2020.

New California Construction Laws for 2020

The California Legislature introduced more than 3,033 bills in the first half of the 2019-2020 session. Smith, Currie & Hancock LLP has put together a summary of the more important bills affecting contractors in their roles as contractors, effective January 1, 2020, unless otherwise noted. You can view the article by clicking here.
Not addressed in the article are many other bills that will affect contractors in their roles as businesses, taxpayers and employers. Each of the summaries is brief, focusing on what is more important to contractors. Because not all aspects of these bills are discussed, each summary’s title is a live link to the full text of the referenced bills for those wanting to explore the details of the new laws.

NECA Releases Manual of Labor Units

The 2019-2020 editions of the NECA Manual of Labor Units (MLU) and Tool and Equipment Rental Schedule are now available for purchase in the NECA Store.

For nearly 100 years, the NECA MLU has provided users with an experience-based reference to estimating the required electrical construction labor for installing typical electrical and communications systems. The 2019-2020 edition provides units for LED fixtures and 35kv cable, and a new keyword index to provide a better user experience when locating labor units. Learn more at www.necanet.org/mlu.

The NECA Tool and Equipment Rental Schedule helps electrical contractors ensure the tool and equipment expenses are included as direct job expenses, not overhead, and are designed to be used for both internal accounting and estimating. The 2019-2020 edition includes an expanded catalogue of safety resources, instruments and test equipment. Learn more at www.necanet.org/tool.

REMINDER:  NECA members can receive a free copy of the NECA MLU by request. Letters to request a free copy will be mailed to member company accredited representatives in the new year. Contact education@necanet.org with any questions.

ZNE Center Offering “Revit for Electricians” Course

Inside wiremen must be part of the constructibility design process. Bringing qualified wiremen from the field to the design seat, takes training on a highly recognized software solution called Revit, by Autodesk. The ZNE Center is offering a beginner level course on “Revit for Electricians,” on December 16, 2019. Please click here to understand the union training and value that is being offered directly from certified Autodesk Trainer, Elise Moss. You can register for the course on December 16th, by going to www.znecenter.org, and clicking on the continuing education link.

ELECTRI Releases New Study

Professional development opportunities are crucial for employers and employees in the electrical construction industry. In 2019, ELECTRI International initiated development of a project management training series geared toward electrical contractors. This report details the first phase of the new training series, knows as the Electrical Management Training (EMT). This training is a resource for new hires, newly promoted trade workers, and managerial employees seeking continuing education. The training is intended to help contractors build their managerial “bench strength.”

The research team proposed to develop training material that would teach content through personal experiences from current practitioners in a video format that was quick and easy to view. Included in this report are details from the study, which include: the necessary subject matter, the development of five videos for the first EMT course module and recommendations for the future development of the EMT course modules. Please click here to view the report. Please click here to view the video.

Updated Cost Data Sheets

Effective December 1, 2019, the following increases will go into effect. Please be sure to use the updated cost data sheets on the “Agreements” page of our NorCal NECA website when bidding work in the corresponding jurisdiction.

  • Bay to Borders Residential Agreement
    • Schedule A received a $1.00 increase to the wage, $0.25 increase to the pension; and a $0.50 increase to the health and welfare.
    • Schedule B received a $0.25 increase to the pension and a $0.50 increase to the health and welfare.  The wage for Schedule B is 88% of the Schedule A rate.

Effective January 1, 2020, the following increases will go into effect for the MAI-MOU Regional Agreement.

  • Bay Area CE/CW will have a new health and welfare rate of $6.65.
  • Central Valley CE/CW received a $0.75 increase to the wage and will have a new health and welfare rate of $6.65.

NFPA Publishes the 2020 National Electrical Code

The 2020 NEC development cycle has come to a close with issuance by the NFPA Standards Council. There are many changes related to new technologies and industry trends in this edition. Click here to read about some of the key revisions that directly benefit safety in the electrical industry.

Want to learn about the upcoming changes? Join NECA for a webinar on Tuesday, October 15th at 10:30 AM EST for a review of the most significant changes in the 2020 NEC from those that know it best. Learn about new articles and revisions to existing requirements that have an impact on your daily business.

Golf Proceeds Distributed to Charities

Over the past few weeks, the Northern California Chapter, NECA has distributed proceeds from our annual NorCal NECA Golf Classic to charities in each of our Chapter’s jurisdictions.  This year, the following charities were chosen:

  • Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area Foundation – $10,000
  • Aldea Children and Family Services – $9,000
  • Modesto Gospel Mission – $9,000
  • Attitudinal Healing Connection – $9,000
  • Hospice of San Joaquin – $9,000

It is heart-warming to know that each of these very deserving charities will benefit greatly from the donations. The Chapter wishes to express a very special thank you to all of our generous golf tournament participants.