Associations, societies & government activities

Contractors resist European safety overture

The. National Electrical Contractors Association of Bethesda, Md., is opposing a proposal by the European Commission to have the U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration recognize certain European safety standards instead of U.S. ones.

The proposal would have OSHA permit the use of a Supplier's Declaration of Conformity as an alternative to the U.S. Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories' product approval process. The latter are certified by OSHA, while the former are not.

"While NECA is generally supportive of ongoing advances in international harmonization," the association says, "we believe that lessening the longstanding normal conformance assessment process is an obvious invitation for compromise in quality and safety. . . ."

Comments from the public may be made at OSHA's Web site at www.osha.gov through Jan. 20.

EASA tech manual updated and revised

The St. Louis-based Electrical Apparatus Service Association has revised and updated the Technical Manual it produces for active and allied members of the association.

"What's new in the latest version of the EASA Technical Manuali" asks technical support specialist Tom Bishop in the newsletter Currents. "The short answer is that there are an additional 109 pages of new and updated text compared to the previous 2002 addition,"

One section has been updated with an article titled "Motor Starting Capabilities and Considerations." Another has been updated with an article on "The Impact of Voltage and Frequency on Motor Life and Performance." Tables of motor efficiency ratings now include the NEMA premiumefficiency values.

In response to one of the more controversial subjects of recent years, the updated manual includes an expanded article on "The Effect of Repair/Rewinding on Motor Efficiency." Two articles on power factor correction have been combined, and tables of concentric-to-lap conversion factors have been updated.

Information about these and other changes to the Technical Manual is available at www.easa.com.

The association has also announced that the theme of its next international convention, being held at the Renaissance Grand Hotel & America's Center in St. Louis June 14-16, will be "Gateway to Innovation."

Maintenance mechanic certification transferred

The Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanic certification program has been transferred from ISA, the automation association based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., to the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals of McLean, Va. The change took effect at the end of December.

CIMM certification provides third-party assessment and confirmation of the skills of industrial maintenance mechanics. Certified Industrial Maintenance Mechanics are responsible for preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance. They also perform troubleshooting and analysis.

Among other things, the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals facilitates the exchange of information through its network of maintenance and reliability professionals, supports maintenance and reliability, and presents a "collective voice" on maintenance and reliability issues.

Distributors expand online course offering

The National Association of Electrical Distributors of St. Louis has expanded its online offerings to include The Leadership Journey, a library of 24 courses intended to teach 10 skills: accountability and responsibility, coaching and mentoring, communication, conflict resolution, dealing with change, empowerment, trust and integrity, improving attitudes, motivating others, and teamwork.

The course includes The Foundation of Leadership, Practical Steps for Managing Confrontation, Five Steps to Effective Decision Making, and The Secrets of High Achievers. Information is available at www.naed.org.

New ASTM committee established for sustainability

ASTM International of West Conshohocken, Pa., formerly the National Association of Testing and Materials, has formed a Committee on Sustainability.

"This new standards development initiative results from the cooperative efforts of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and cross-industry stakeholders who share mutual goals for global sustainable development," according to the association.

The new committee, designated Committee E60, "will be the forum where diverse stakeholders come together to create the consensus standards that will promote and integrate sustainable development across multiple industry sectors," according to the association.

Edited by the EA staff

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