Washington- The United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) signed a significant and unprecedented Strategic Safety Partnership today with five of the nation’s largest electrical construction contractors, two key industry trade associations and a union which represents more than 750,000 members nationwide in a coalition formed to reduce injuries and fatalities of workers in the electrical transmission and distribution contracting industry.

The Partnership unites OSHA with five electrical contractors: MYR Group Inc., Henkels & McCoy, Inc., Pike Electric, Inc., Quanta Services, Inc. (NYSE: PWR), Utility Services, Inc.; three key industry organizations: National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Edison Electric Institute (EEI), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). The Safety Partnership leverages the resources of the partners to anticipate, identify, evaluate and control health and safety hazards associated with electrical transmission and distribution work. OSHA, the electrical contractors, the IBEW and the trade associations will share information on lessons learned and mutually agreed upon best practices with others in the industry. Their findings will also be publicized through individual training programs and materials. Additionally, the organizations will develop and disseminate information through print and electronic media, including the use of electronic-assistance tools and their respective websites.

The Partnership is an unprecedented coalition of union and non-union industry members with the IBEW, OSHA and key industry trade associations to identify and provide consensus best practice solutions to reduce or eliminate the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the transmission and distribution electrical construction contracting industry. The Partnership embodies the willingness and commitment of the leadership of the partners to put aside differences in order to focus on the singular goal of providing a safe and healthful workplace for workers in this industry.

The Partnership utilizes a multi-tiered approach involving Executive Team, Steering Team, and Task Teams to develop findings and recommendations that are reviewed and adopted by consensus of the partners. The Executive Team, consisting of the Chief Executive Officers of the partners, will adopt consensus solutions with respect to recommendations made by the Steering Team, which is comprised of safety and health professionals from each of the Partners. The Steering Team will conduct incident-trend analyses, collect and review of accident data, develop and track training activities, and the supervise designated Task Teams. Task Teams in turn focus on discreet safety and health issues identified by the Steering Team and operate within a timetable designed to expeditiously identify and develop discreet findings with respect to safety and health issues. OSHA will provide advice and consultation to the Executive, Steering, and Task Teams.

Signatories to the Partnership include John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, T. Roderick Henkels, President and Chief Executive Officer of Henkels & McCoy, Inc., William A. Koertner, President and Chief Executive Officer of MYR Group Inc., J. Eric Pike, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pike Electric, Inc., John R. Colson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quanta Services, Inc., Ronald G. Skarphol, President and Chief Operating Officer of Utility Services, Inc., Carl D. Behnke, Vice-President Human Resources and Corporate Services of Edison Electric Institute, Edwin D. Hill, International President of the IBEW, and John Grau, Chief Executive Officer, National Electrical Contractors Association.

About the Partners
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is dedicated to assuring worker safety and health. OSHA is responsible for the promulgation and enforcement of safety and health laws and provides training, outreach and education, establishes partnerships and encourages continued improvement in workplace safety and health. OSHA’s national office is located in Washington, D.C.

For more information contact: Bill Wright, Office of Communications
202-693-1999
wright.bill@dol.gov

Henkels & McCoy, Inc., founded in 1923, is a diversified engineering and construction firm serving the utility industry. Major lines of business include the design, construction and maintenance of power substations, distribution and transmission; gas and water distribution and transmission; telecommunications; industrial construction; network cabling; and training services. Headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Henkels & McCoy, Inc. has more than eighty offices strategically located from New England to Hawaii.

For more information contact: J. Daniel Pigott, Jr.
Vice President Corporate Sales & Marketing
215-283-7556
dpigott@henkels.com

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is a trade association for U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies, and serves international affiliates and industry associates worldwide. Organized in 1933, EEI works closely with all of its members, representing their interests and advocating equitable policies in legislative and regulatory arenas. In its leadership role, EEI provides advocacy, authoritative analysis, and critical industry data to its members, Congress, government agencies, the financial community and other opinion-leader audiences. EEI provides forums for member company representatives to discuss issues and strategies to advance the industry and to ensure a competitive position in a changing marketplace. EEI’s corporate headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 750,000 members who work highly skilled occupations in utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The IBEW has members in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal Zone. The union's International headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.
 
The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), founded in 1901, is a representative of the electrical construction market comprised of over 70,000 electrical contracting firms. NECA includes 120 U.S. chapters in addition to others in countries around the world. NECA is dedicated to enhancing the industry through continuing education, labor relations, current information and promotional activities. It is the voice of the electrical contracting industry, working to promote higher standards, quality workmanship and training for a skilled workforce. NECA’s national headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.