The Electrical Contractors' Association of City of Chicago (ECA) held its September Regular Membership Meeting on Wednesday, September 7, 2009 at Courtright's Restaurant in Willow Springs, Illinois.  The event was well attended and the guest speaker was Thomas Villanova, President, Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council (CBTC). 

 

Prior to the introduction of the guest speaker, a special presentation was made.  Patrick Finlon, Mohawk Electric Construction Company accepted a NECA 50th Anniversary Plaque on behalf of his firm.  The Association wishes to congratulate Greggory Thornley and his staff at Mohawk and wish them many more years of success and participation in the membership.

 

  

Mr. Thomas Villanova discussed many areas affecting construction in the Chicagoland area, including the following topics:  the CBTC has 100,00 members from 24 Trades; the CBTC recently celebrated its 100th Anniversary; he serves on the 2016 Olympic Bid Committee for Chicago; if Chicago is chosen as the site for the 2016 Olympics, a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) has already been secured.  He emphasized that no tax-payer funds have been used in the Olympic bid process.  He also mentioned other issues including the following:  the National Maintenance Policy Agreement only affects the Ford-Chrysler plant in regard to reduced wages, etc.; the Illinois Capital Bill was passed; however, funds are not forthcoming as it was tied into video poker revenue; the CBTC is working to secure a number of PLAs with the public entities in Chicago; the CBTC is an integral part of the Joint Conference Board with the Construction Employers' Association that hears jurisdictional disputes. 

 

Mr. Villanova closed as he highlighted the importance of positive labor-management relationships.  At the conclusion of a brief question and answer session, Mr. Villanova was met with a round of applause. We thank Tom for all his hard work and dedication to advance the Chicagoland construction arena.

 

 

   

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The Electrical Contractors' Association Safety Committee held their latest Safety Directors' Forum on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the Chicagoland Construction Safety Council (CCSC).  The purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for the safety professionals of our member companies to share ideas, concerns and other information related to their specific safety-related tasks. 

 

Representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and a representative from ComEd, as well representatives from EIT spoke at the event. 

 

Highlights of the program are included below.
 
Ms. Nancy Hauter, Director of Health Enforcement, OSHA
·         Briefly discussed the current ECA/OSHA Alliance.
·         NECA is coordinating an OSHA Alliance.
·         OSHA is finalizing its search for a new Agency Director and a Director of  

          Construction.
·         OSHA's focus is on enforcement, including crane standards, confined  

          space standards and silica standards.
 
Mr. Jake Scott, Chicago North Area Office, OSHA
·         Reviewed FY'08 Region V Enforcement Statistics:
1.  3,708 construction-related inspections out of 6,883 overall inspections
2.  3.1 violations per inspection
3.  $1,038 average penalty per inspection
4.  75% of the violations were categorized as serious.
 
·         Aspects of an OSHA inspection:
1.  Powered Industrial Vehicles (PIV) - forklift trucks - proper fall protection
2.  Proper trenching and excavation
3.  Silica issues
 
·         Focus Inspections consist of 4 Leading causes:
1.  Falls
2.  Struck By
3.  Caught in/Between
4.  Electrical
 
·         Multi-employer worksite inspection considerations:
1.  Creating hazards
2.  Exposing hazards
3.  Correcting contractors
4.  Controlling contractors (those in charge of particular area inspected, etc.)
 
·         Top 10 reported inspection violations:
1.  Fall protection
2.  Fall hazard training
3.  Head protection
4.  Fall protection (unprotected site)
5.  Frequent and regular job site inspection by competent person
6.  Cave-in protection
7.  Aerial lifts fall protection
8.  Safety-line protection
9.  Scaffolds
10.Ladder safety
 
Mr. Richard Cassetto, Sr. Safety Specialist, Public Safety Outreach Coordinator, ComEd:
 
·         Discussed safety around power lines.
·         Reviewed the many hazards involved with downed power lines
·         Reviewed various types of electrical injuries and how to avoid them.
·         Reviewed call-in procedures to ComEd.
 
Ms. Linda Cardone and Ms. Mary Vazquez, Electrical Insurance Trustees (EIT):
 
·         "Take Charge" initiative will begin its third year in November 2009.
·         New incentive for "Take Charge" program.
·         Benefits Fair upcoming
·         24/7 "Nurse Information" line to begin.
 
The Association wishes to thank the speakers for their time and efforts with the ECA Safety Directors' Forum, as well as the CCSC for use of the facilities and for their assistance in coordination of the overall event.
 

 

  

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The Capital Development Board (CDB) Energy Code for commercial buildings was approved by Illinois legislators in 2004.  The administrative rules moving the energy code to the 2006 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) was adopted and became effective October 9, 2007.  Use of the updated code is applicable to all projects where a building permit is issued by the municipality or county government.  On August 18, 2009, the 2009 edition of the IECC was adopted and became effective.  The energy efficiency standard for engineers, architects and contractors to follow for Privately Funded Commercial Construction Projects commercial construction in Illinois is the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.  Municipalities and Counties throughout Illinois issuing a building permit are required to enforce the 2009 IECC.  Exemptions under the law, the CDB Energy Conservation Code for Commercial Buildings does not apply to the following:  buildings that are exempt from the provisions of a local building code; buildings that do not contain a "conditional space;" buildings that do not use electricity, gas, coal or fuel oil for "comfort conditioning;" historic buildings so designated by the federal, state or local government; and buildings exempted in the International Energy Conservation Code.  The law requires all projects that receive any state money for design or construction authorized by the General Assembly to comply with a recognized energy efficiency standard in their design and construction.  The energy efficiency standard for engineers, architects and contractors to follow is the 2007 edition of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard (ASHRE 90.1).  Additional Information can be found by contacting Lisa Mattingly, Captial Development Board at:  (217) 524-6408.

USGBC 2009 LEED Update
This article gives a brief update on the USGBC - Chicago Chapter, as well as the new LEED Standards.  Please visit the USGBC website for details on the LEED updates at:  www.usgbc-chicago.org. Certification information, as well as the outlining of LEED project documentation, LEED V3 is available on-line as well.  Please visit www.gbci.org.   
 
The US Green Building Council - Chicago Chapter is in the process of changing its name to USGBC - Illinois to better focus on the entire state; however, it will regionalize its efforts in regard to education. 
 
LEED 2009
The LEED 2009 has numerous enhancements including the following: 
No longer using different benchmarks with different standards;
New harmonizing of the credits based on 100 points meaning all categories are rated/calibrated the same;
Credit weightings have been adjusted;
Regionalization based on zip code of project is a new credit category, but not new credit:  6 credits applied to regionalization;
New Reference Guides:  Green Building Design & Construction, Green Interior Design & Construction, Green Building Operations and Maintenance.
 
Project Certification
The certification of projects is done through the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).  This group provides 3rd-party project certification and professional credentialing, minimum project requirements regarding building certification.  The categories of certification are:  Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.  Every 2-3 years the certification categories are to be re-evaluated and the benchmarks are to be enhanced/increased.
 
LEED AP Credentialing
Listed below are a few brief scenarios to consider in regard to the future credentialing of LEED APs.  Each area follows specific time-frames, materials, administration fees and other requirements.  Again, please visit the above listed websites for detailed information.
 
Legacy LEED APs (those who have passed their AP exam before 2009 change)
Maintain 30 hours of coursework over 2 years;
Opt into the new system.
 
LEED AP+
Could go into a new track or coursework with new exams coming.
 
Inactive LEED AP
Can take new exams and pursue a specialty track to start up, again.
 
Future LEED Green Associate 
Core Concepts and Strategies:  Broader knowledge with 15 hours of continuing education requirements.
 
Specialization(s)
LEED AP Building Design & Construction;
LEED AP Interior Design & Construction
 
LEED AP Fellow
Elite class of professionals;
Requirements to be determined.