Electrical workers, in short, keep the lights on, both in your home and for entire neighborhoods. The job can be dangerous, but a new Pennsylvania law aims to give workers the training they may need and do not currently have.

Dave Sload and the Associated Builders and Contractors have called for statewide licensing of electrical workers to replace a regional system that he says has led to dangerous situations involving unqualified contractors.

“The electrical trade is one of those industries that can be not only difficult but dangerous,” said Sload, the president of the ABC Keystone. “Most fires that are created in buildings are as a result of electrical issues. So we’re looking at trying to cut that down as well as safety for the folks working on the job.”

Sload and electrical worker unions got their wish when Senate Bill 1260 passed both chambers of the Pennsylvania General Assembly and was signed into law last week by Gov. Josh Shapiro.

The bill establishes new statewide licensing standards for electricians and contractors, with the goal of improving safety and the quality of electrical work.

The legislation nearly hit a snag when the United Steelworkers union came out in opposition, arguing that its members who perform much of the electrical work at industrial facilities would not be able to obtain licenses.

USW members were able to lobby House leaders for an exemption.

“It would have made our electrical workers in our plants, mills, paper mills, chemical factories, adhere to the same standards that a construction electrician would adhere to,” said Don Teets, a USW rapid response coordinator. “I don’t think the intent was to hurt us, but we just had to make sure that our people were taken care of.”

While some workers will be grandfathered in under the new standards, Sload said the improvements in training will be reflected in the quality of electrical work going forward.

“They’re getting a quality job and they’re getting a safe job because it’s not just the initial electrical installation; it’s how well it’s installed,” Sload said. “Electrical issues can show up long after a job is done, and this will help again ensure that safety and quality is there.”

The law creates a new State Board of Electrical Licensing, which will now be formed to regulate the new standards for electrical work.