NECA can trace its beginnings back to the start of modern electricity. In 1901, at the Pan-American Exposition, a group of contractors came together to initiate trade and reform abuses within the new electrical industry. Fast forward to today, and NECA is the voice of the $202 billion electrical construction industry that brings power, light, and communication technology to buildings and communities across the U.S. NECA contractors are the technical professionals responsible for the most innovative and safest electrical construction in the U.S.

The NECA has four key goals. First, attract, develop, and retain the best talent to set the standard and lead the industry. Second, foster member relationships by providing the resources needed to stay ahead of the competition. Third, collaborate with world-class partners to advance the industry. Lastly, deliver exceptional value to their members through a relentless focus on their success. 

Membership in NECA begins with a local chapter. Local NECA chapters review all initial membership applications and submit the contractor’s application for national membership. The membership cost is based upon a percentage of the company’s gross electrical payroll. It ranges from 1 to 2 percent of the company’s gross electrical worker payroll. 

NECA works to empower lives and communities. Their contractors set the standard for traditional and integrated electrical systems and lead the industry in the practical application of new technologies. To find out more about NECA, please visit their website. 
ILLUMAGEAR is proud to be featured in the Showstopper Showcase at the convention in Austin, Texas. See Sixth Sense in action and visit us at booth #2249.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have already predicted another higher-than-average storm season for 2022. So with hurricane season here, make sure your linemen are ready for anything. 

Working day in and day out, linemen are critical to recovery efforts during a storm. In the days following a devastating event, community members look to linemen to restore the power and a sense of normalcy. Therefore, linemen must prepare in the days and weeks before to be ready when a storm strikes. As hurricane season ramps up, crew members should ensure their emergency contacts are up to date. Share this information with your company and fellow crew members. Make sure to have emergency contact information and insurance cards in your wallet.

Packing a grab-and-go bag with frequently used items will reduce the risk of forgetting things if you are in a hurry. Some useful items include a cell phone charger, personal hygiene items, a small first aid kid with frequently used medications and pain relievers, a change of clothes, glasses/contacts, etc. In addition, having a stash of your favorite non-perishable food and drink items can help keep your morale high when the long days stretch to nights with no break in sight. 

The proper clothing and equipment will keep your comfort and safety a priority. Rain gear, tools, safety clothing, and accessories are all critical to getting the job done right. In difficult weather conditions keeping your equipment ready can be even more crucial. That is why the HALO™ SL hardhat light is a vital tool for your arsenal. With 360° visibility for a quarter-mile, powerful flood task lighting, and water resistance, it’s the last light you will ever need to buy. In addition, the rechargeable Lithium Ion battery will ensure you are never in the dark, even under challenging conditions. 

As storm season picks up, we are grateful for brave linemen and other essential workers who race toward the storm to help rebuild devastated communities.

All of these things mentioned often cause electrical workers to become seriously injured. In addition to these constant threats, mother nature is constantly changing the environment. In some cases, these incidents can even be fatal. Recognizing the magnitude of these dangers and taking appropriate safety measures can help keep utility workers safe.

Some of the most common dangers of electrical linemen at work include: 

Inadequate safety equipment. Utility companies are required to equip their crew with appropriate PPE. Two great pieces of equipment to help keep line crews safe and seen are our Halo SL and Sixth Sense. The Halo SL helps linemen see and be seen, and our Sixth Sense is a personal voltage, current, and fall detector. 

Electrocution. Working around high voltage is dangerous. So we came out with a personal voltage, current, and fall detector. It senses what you can’t by sensing voltage and current to help workers stay safe while doing their jobs. For example, if power lines are damaged or improperly handled, they could electrocute workers. Sixth Sense detects voltage and current to help combat this problem. 

Falls from heights. Linemen perform many tasks like installs, repairs, and upgrades from high heights. Working at heights puts them at risk of sustaining injuries from fall accidents. A Sixth Sense attached to their hard hat will send an emergency fall notification via SMS. Unfortunately, accidents happen, and keeping your crew informed of these accidents can be life-saving. 

Extreme weather conditions. Some linemen like to storm chase. That is where the work is. Power linemen are often responsible for restoring power during significant storms. These crews are usually exposed to extreme weather conditions, such as heavy winds, rain, snow, ice, and flooding. 

Long hours. Utility workers often work long hours, especially during an intense storm that requires emergency power restoration services. These long and intense hours can sometimes affect the worker’s performance, which can increase the risk of injury. 

Motor vehicle accidents. When linemen crews are headed to restore power during a major storm, the driving conditions can be hazardous. 

Exposure to toxic substances. Linemen can be exposed to asbestos. Modern power lines no longer use asbestos, but when working with older lines predating the 1980s, they can expose workers to this toxic substance. 

How linemen can stay safe in the workplace. Many hazards put linemen at risk of injury or death, but there are several ways utility workers can keep themselves safe on the job. First, be aware of your surroundings. Staying aware of tools, equipment, and other workers helps eliminate potential hazards. Work in teams and maintain clear communication. Also, watch out for the safety of other crew members. Have proper utility tools and equipment. Practice patience and do not rush through a job. Practicing proper techniques and working slowly can help make sure the job is done correctly and workers are safe. Wearing the appropriate PPE. Having the right gear, especially when it comes to PPE, helps tremendously. 

National Lineman Appreciation Day. After 2012’s Hurricane Sandy, the 113th Congress passed a bill designating April 18th is National Lineman Appreciation Day. The bill became law in 2013. National Lineman Appreciation Day honors the men and women who work around the clock to keep the power going. If the power is on, you likely have a lineman to thank. 

A lineman’s job is one of the most essential jobs. Electrical linemen are some of the first people on the scene during and directly after a storm when the power goes out. These unsung heroes work with live power lines in challenging environments to keep our power up and running quickly, keeping us comfortable and safe. 

ILLUMAGEAR’S ode to linemen. Fearless with high risk and a strong brotherhood. Linemen forged the backbone of the modern world by creating electricity for the masses. A grid connecting the east to the west and the north to the south sparked the evolution of a new kind of working man. Linemen understand discipline, rewarded by the pride of achievement and the stimulation of work. 

We want to thank all the linemen and women for keeping our country running.

It seems that every year wildfires seem to get worse. Fires cause millions and sometimes billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and communities. Extinguishing a fire is an arduous task even with enormous human efforts. Even if a community manages to be spared from direct contact with the fire, the community will likely lose power due to the damage in the surrounding areas. People are left without power, and thousands of linemen from across the country get the call to leave their families to help those in need and get the power back on, so the communities can begin to rebuild. 

Just because a fire has moved out of an area doesn’t mean there aren’t dangers for the linemen and emergency relief crews. Structures can’t be trusted after being exposed to intense heat. The rebuild can be a dangerous task. 

We’ve put together a list of what linemen should consider for staying safe:  

• There should be strategies and procedures to keep linemen and crews safe in dangerous situations. Make sure you follow these guidelines. 
• Get used to the heat. Do your best to acclimate. Drive to the job with no AC. Wildfire season happens during the hottest months. Crews will face extreme temperatures on top of heat from the fire. Even though linemen aren’t in the thick of the fires themselves, everything around will be extra hot. 
• Drink lots of water and electrolytes. Working in extreme temperatures is going to deplete your body. Make sure you don’t get overheated and dehydrated. 
• Be mindful of carbon monoxide. Working on a wildfire exposes crews to several chemical compounds. Make sure you pay attention to these symptoms: dull headache, dizziness, confusion, blurred vision, shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting. 

We’ve put together a packing list to help you be prepared for working on your next fire. First, make sure you roll your clothes and secure them with a rubber band.  

• Hard hat 
• Halo SL – be seen in high-risk and low light environments
• Flame resistant jacket, pants, and shirts 
• Workbooks 
• Fleece shirt 
• Gloves, beanie 
• T-shirt 
• Shorts, underwater, socks 
• Casual shoes and flip flops 
• Lightweight rainproof jacket 
• Puffy jacket for cold nights 
• Food and snacks. Make sure you take plenty of non-perishable food to eat
• Toiletries, sunscreen, aloe, lotion, wet wipes, earplugs 
• Bug spray 
• Sunglasses 
• Solar charger 
• Cash/change (for laundromats) 
• Sleeping bag, sleeping bag, tent 
• Small headlamp 
• Mesh laundry bag 
• Dry bag 
• Water purifier 
• First aid kit 

We are so grateful for the linemen, wildland firefighters, and emergency crews that leave their families and risk their lives to help these communities in need. Thank you to all the crews helping people, animals, and communities in these natural disasters. We’re grateful for these unsung heroes!