With the rising proliferation of smartphones around the world (over 78% penetration in 2020), connected mobile apps and integration with other services and technologies, there’s...
California construction workers predominantly working outside or without air conditioning are among those most prone to heat-related illnesses—particularly as climate change makes the Golden State...
In August 2020, lightning sparked unprecedented wildfires in parts of western Oregon. Fanned by dry winds from the east, the fires skipped over roads and...
Not long ago, when a manufacturer decided to upgrade an assembly line, the power supply to a steel-bending machine needed an essential feature. Surge protection...
A new data center in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains in Mesa, Ariz., will display cutting-edge features and provide IT services to existing customers. Comarch Inc.’s North American Data...
According to the ELECTRI International report, “Pandemics and Construction Productivity: Quantifying the Impact,” the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have reduced productivity in the construction sector by some 20%, based...
Residents in Michigan wishing to grow marijuana in their homes—like those living in other states with legalized use—need to learn ahead of time how much energy it demands. They also...
Cleaner, better managed and flexible energy may have found its vehicle. Called Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings (GEBs), this approach offers two-way power management between a utility and its customer. Stakeholders are...
They were truck partners. Mike Starner, now NECA director of outside line safety, and another troubleman in his 30s shared equipment and a truck to drive to work sites. “He...
Basic electrical theory is that the greater the load is, the greater the current. Normally, the current flows through conductors and various electrical components, but what if the current takes...
Implementing a comprehensive safety program is crucial to protecting workers from occupational hazards. Simply having the framework doesn’t mean that employees are completely committed to creating and maintaining the safest...
When it comes to mental well-being, sobering statistics abound. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) estimated that in 2020, one in five—52.9 million—U.S. adults lived with a mental illness...
I conducted a courtesy electrical inspection for a friend who had purchased a home from a real estate agent, who previously owned and occupied it. The house had supposedly been...
Increased safety in the workplace often comes in the form of reactive measures, known as “lagging indicators,” which come after the heels of an injury or incident. It is more...
For Central Florida Electrical JATC apprentices, it’s part of the job to keep Buzz Lightyear and other Disney characters moving and talking for guests of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Since the 1990s, the Winter Park...
In a leadership role, it is very easy to say, “Here’s the job and let’s get it done.” Today’s worker may not react to that in a positive way because they may seek more involvement and input as well as some autonomy in...
When I talk about safety with electricians, I typically ask, “How many people have firsthand knowledge of what electricity feels like?” Or “Who knows a fellow electrician that seems like they might have been shocked just a...
Article 100 contains definitions that are essential to the proper application of NFPA 70E. Three separate boundaries are defined in this article. Two are shock protection boundaries—the limited approach boundary (LAB) and...
As each year gets warmer, the concern for occupational heat-related injuries and illnesses grows. Therefore, precautionary measures should be taken to protect workers. High temperatures can impair thinking, slow response time...
It’s particularly satisfying to craft a safety program from the ground up—one that emphasizes practical and hands-on training and prepares electricians for real-life hazardous situations instead of just informational pieces...
Artificial intelligence (A.I.) and analytics have transformed the camera from an “after-the-fact” technology to a smart, proactive device—maybe not a thinking one, per se, but certainly with plenty of intelligence to custom...
As electrical contractors, safety is always a high priority. The National Electrical Contractors Association offers many resources to help enhance contractors’ safety program and spotlight our industry’s commitment to keeping...
Jim Dollard has an extensive background in codes and standards. Send questions about the National Electrical Code (NEC) to Jim at codefaqs@gmail.com. Answers are based on the 2020 NEC. Office partitions Can free-standing...
For most electrical contractors, the terms “workplace safety” and “occupational safety” inspire mental images of construction sites. The changing nature of work and home life dictates a need to expand our imagination. Today...