Backend Category: Safety Excellence Initiative

UMC, Inc. Earns Top MCAA/CNA Safety Award in Category 4

UMC, Inc. was selected as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2023 in Size Category 4, 450,001-1,000,000 Work Hours. UMC, Inc.’s exceptional worker safety and health program has won this prestigious award two years in a row, and four of the last seven years.

With over 5 million workhours in the past six years, they have recorded exceptionally low injury and illness rates, and are the platinum standard that GCs look to partner with to develop jobsite policies for safety and health.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards began in the 1990s when MCAA partnered with CNA Insurance. It is a fiercely competitive program in which only the best of the best compete for the awards.

This is one of the most competitive safety awards programs in the country and winners are highly regarded among their peers.

The award focuses on safety and health programs, safety innovations and achievements in safety to reach a high degree of safety and health excellence. Companies are divided into five categories by number of hours worked and winners are selected by a committee of their peers.

Participants are required to describe their safety programs in detail, including how they achieved safety excellence and why they believe they deserve the award. The Safety Awards Selection Taskforce, which is led by MCAA’s Safety & Health Committee, carefully evaluates each submission looking for safety leadership, an advanced safety culture, effective leading indicators of safety performance, and innovative safety initiatives that helped the company achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence.

MCAA and CNA congratulate UMC, Inc. for achieving such a high degree of safety excellence in 2023.

Donnelly Mechanical Corp. Earns Top MCAA/CNA Safety Award in Category 3

Donnelly Mechanical Corp. was selected as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2023 in Category 3, 250,001-450,000 Work Hours. Donnelly Mechanical Corp. boats an incredible Experience Modification Rate (EMR) that reflects their commitment to safety and health. They are one of New York City’s safest contractors.

Donnelly Mechanical Corp.’s leadership is committed to safety and health. They made their primary goal and objective, Safety Always. This is shown in their programs, policies, and innovations in creating safer jobsites.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards began in the 1990s when MCAA partnered with CNA Insurance. It is a fiercely competitive program in which only the best of the best compete for the awards.

This is one of the most competitive safety awards programs in the country and winners are highly regarded among their peers.

MCAA and CNA congratulate Donnelly Mechanical Corp. for achieving such a high degree of safety excellence in 2023.

MCAA & BuildOps Announce Partnership to Elevate Safety in Mechanical Contracting

MCAA has joined forces with BuildOps, an MCAA member and a provider of all-in-one field service and construction management software tailored for the modern mechanical contractor. This pivotal partnership will integrate MCAA’s extensive safety training resources directly into the BuildOps platform, granting all MCAA member companies using BuildOps unprecedented access.

Revolutionizing Safety Training Through Technology Integration

This collaboration introduces a powerful, new dimension to safety training for BuildOps.

BuildOps will host an array of safety-focused educational materials and resources from MCAA, ensuring that MCAA members have instant access to critical safety training necessary to maintain the highest standards of workplace safety and compliance.

“The integration of MCAA’s trusted safety content into our platform marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide the most comprehensive, user-friendly, and efficient tools for the industry,” said Glen West, BuildOps Head of Growth and Partnerships. “This partnership is more than just a merging of resources—it’s about making it easier than ever for MCAA member contractors to keep their teams safe, knowledgeable, and compliant on the job.”

Empowering Contractors with Essential Tools for Success

Through BuildOps’ innovative digital platform, MCAA members will have direct access to a curated selection of crucial safety courses and materials, specifically designed to:

Enhance industry knowledge and facilitate compliance with safety and health standards.
Promote a sustainable culture of safety across all levels of operations.
Provide engaging, easily accessible educational resources right at their fingertips.

“This partnership leverages BuildOps’ technological strength and adds to an impressive list of partners to deliver safety training to our members,” said Timothy J. Brink, MCAA CEO. “We are committed to ensuring that every MCAA member contractor and their team can access top-tier safety training seamlessly.”

Expanding Contractor Safety and Efficiency

This partnership is set against a backdrop of BuildOps’ continued growth and innovation in the field service management space. Recent product releases such as their Forecasting and Credit Hold features exemplify their commitment to empowering contractors.

By integrating MCAA’s safety materials, BuildOps is once again demonstrating its dedication to reshaping the landscape of commercial contracting.

Integrating MCAA Member Resources Into the Software You Use Every Day

MCAA members now have four companies that are committed to delivering important safety and health resources through their platforms. As always, MCAA members can visit mcaa.org to access the same resources there.

BuildOps

BuildOps is a fast-paced, high-growth technology company dedicated to the heroes of the trades. We transition commercial specialty contractors from traditional methods to our state-of-the-art, cloud-based, data-driven platform, setting new standards for operational excellence. Our end-to-end solution empowers owners to build enduring businesses equipped to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. For more information, visit BuildOps.com.

BuildOps is actively working to provide access to the MCAA materials from within their platform.

MCAI Training Vault

Training Vault is an easy to use, convenient system that helps track all types of training — seminars, conferences, certifications, licenses, and more. The system is provided through the Mechanical Contractors Association of Iowa.

MCAA members with existing MCAI Training Vault accounts should be able to access the MCAA materials via their accounts. If you do not see the materials, reach out to your company representative.

Tyfoom

Tyfoom is the #1 engagement platform for employee communication and training. We provide a simple and easy way to connect all employees with leaders every day to improve culture, productivity and employee engagement. Tyfoom employs non-disruptive, science-based techniques and gamification to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and increase accountability.

MCAA members with existing Tyfoom accounts should be able to access the MCAA materials via their accounts. If you do not see the materials, reach out to your company representative.

ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is the operating system that powers the trades. Trusted by over 12,000 contracting businesses, the end-to-end platform powers profitable growth for commercial and specialty contractors by connecting their service and construction operations in one place to help them optimize cash flow, increase workforce productivity, and improve their bottom line. By bringing an integrated SaaS platform to an industry historically underserved by technology, ServiceTitan equips tradespeople with the technology they need to keep the world running.

ServiceTitan is actively working to provide access to the MCAA materials from within their platform.

MCAA thanks all of our partners for facilitating easy access to MCAA safety resources for MCAA members using their platforms.

Limbach, Inc- New England Earns Top MCAA/CNA Safety Award in Category 2

Limbach, Inc- New England was selected as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2023 in Size Category 2, 100,001- 250,000 Work Hours. Limbach, Inc- New England’s approach to “beyond zero thinking” has changed how they view safety and transformed the company culture. Their submission notes that, “Safety culture is a journey, not a goal.”

From changing their safety software programs to their Safety Policy Statement, the leadership of Limbach are committed to a culture of safety.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards began in the 1990s when MCAA partnered with CNA Insurance. It is a fiercely competitive program in which only the best of the best compete for the awards.

This is one of the most competitive safety awards programs in the country and winners are highly regarded among their peers.

MCAA and CNA congratulate Limbach, Inc- New England for achieving such a high degree of safety excellence in 2023.

Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc. Earns Top MCAA/CNA Safety Award in Category 1

Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc. was selected as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2023 in Size Category 1, Zero – 100,000 Work Hours. Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc.’s commitment to incorporating safety into their day-to-day activities and family-run business approach set the company’s safety culture apart.

Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc.’s 20-year track record of exceptional safety performance includes hosting a safety committee, and safety meetings, which have made their teams respect the importance of safety on the job.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards began in the 1990s when MCAA partnered with CNA Insurance. It is a fiercely competitive program in which only the best of the best compete for the awards.

This is one of the most competitive safety awards programs in the country and winners are highly regarded among their peers.

MCAA and CNA congratulate Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc. for achieving such a high degree of safety excellence in 2023.

Resource Highlight: MSCA’s Safety Resources for Mechanical Service

Mechanical service contractors face unique challenges when it comes to the safety of their workers. MSCA’s Safety Resources for Mechanical Service address these challenges through a combination of worker training and guides, manuals, and model safety programs that support your safety program. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Electrical Safety in the Workplace for Service (NFPA-70E) Safety Training

Additional electrical safety resources and tools are available thanks to MCAA’s partnership with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These tools can help you mitigate risks related to electrical safety, including physical, compliance and financial risks. Learn More

Mechanical Service Safety

Refrigerant Safety for Mechanical Service Technicians

Safety Guides

Safety Manuals

Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians

Model Safety Programs

Tailgate Safety Talks

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

For safety questions, contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Service-related questions go to MCAA’s Teresa Pezzi.

Congratulations to the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Winners

MCAA and CNA, our long-time partner in safety, congratulate the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winners for 2023. These five companies exhibited exceptional safety leadership and safety culture throughout the year. Company representatives joined MCAA President Robert Beck on stage during MCAA24 in Orlando to accept their awards.

Companies were divided into five categories by number of hours worked and winners were chosen by a committee of their peers.

The 2023 MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award Winners Are:

Goshen Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Category 1 | 0 – 100,000 work hours)
Limbach, Inc-New England (Category 2 | 100,001 – 250,000 work hours)
Donnelly Mechanical Corp (Category 3 | 250,001 – 450,000 work hours)
UMC Inc. (Category 4 | 450,001 – 1,000,000)
BMWC Constructors, Inc. (Category 5 | More than 1,000,000 work hours)

“On behalf of CNA, I want to recognize the very competitive group of applicants this year, and thank them for participating. All winners have several achievements and excellent programs to be proud of.”
Shawn Egan, Risk Control Consultant, CNA

Watch for highlights of each winner’s outstanding safety performance in the coming weeks.

While not everyone could win, all applicants exhibited a tremendous focus on the safety and health of their workers and that’s something to be proud of.

Safety Week 2024 Comes to a Close – Look Back On the Week

The National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and Construction Safety Week may have ended, but our members’ commitment to safety on the jobsite has not. You can view the video clips we shared throughout the week for tips to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of our workers. The other resources released throughout the week are also compiled below.

May 6, 2024:
We kicked off the week with a message from Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas highlighting the resources available to help members plan their participation in the event.

May 7, 2024:
On Tuesday, The Association of Union Constructors Safety Director Alex Kopp addressed falls, which remain a leading cause of injury or incident in our industry. He presented a multi-layered approach that will allow Safety Alliance members to not only meet OSHA guidelines, but to exceed them.

May 8, 2024:
On Wednesday, we heard from SMACNA Director of Safety Justin Crandol, CSP, ARM, CRIS with tips to help contractors combat the opioid crisis with knowledge and action.

May 9, 2024:
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Executive Director, Outside Line Safety Mike Starner, CUSP, CHST talked about the shared responsibility for safety on Thursday.

May 10, 2024:
To close out the week, Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas encouraged contractors to spend time on workplace violence training.

Throughout the week, MCAA also highlighted the following resources:

An extensive list of resources from OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR, including webinars, videos, Toolbox Talks, and trainings.
The OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR fall rescue webinar on May 7, 2024 | 02:00 PM ET RECORDING
More than seven trainings from MILWAUKEE TOOL that were available to members throughout the week
New fall protection and dropped object devices from DEWALT Industrial Tool Company
A ServiceTitan podcast with MCAA and UA representatives on the topic of Normalizing Mental Health in the Construction Industry RECORDING

All MCAA members that participated in the week can download a Certificate of Participation from OSHA when they complete a form with brief highlights of their participation.

In addition to the resources mentioned above, MCAA offers a wide range of training to help keep workers safe when using aerial lifts, fall prevention and protection devices, ladders, and scaffolds. LEARN MORE

These resources are just a few of MCAA’s 700+ safety and health resources, all free to members as a benefit of membership.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s 700+ Safety & Health Resources

Savvy contractors know that safe workers are productive workers who bring jobs in on time and on budget. MCAA’s 700+ Safety & Health Resources offer a robust library to support your safety program, from training to model programs and resources that keep you up to date with regulations and ahead of the curve with safety and health. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Take a look:

Explore the full range of 700+ safety and health resources available from MCAA here.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Join MCAA & Our Partners to Prevent Falls in Construction

Join MCAA and our partners at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training for the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. The partnership gives MCAA members access to a variety of resources, which MCAA will augment with a little help from our friends in the Safety Alliance and MCAA members DEWALT, MILWAUKEE TOOL, and ServiceTitan. Working together, we can help prevent falls and improve safety in our industry.

Both the stand-down and Construction Safety Week will take place May 6-10, 2024.

Throughout the week, MCAA will highlight the following resources:

An extensive list of resources from OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR, including webinars, videos, Toolbox Talks, and trainings.
The OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR fall rescue webinar on May 7, 2024 | 02:00 PM ET REGISTER
More than seven trainings from MILWAUKEE TOOL
Video messages from Safety Alliance leaders on our social media channels
New fall protection and dropped object devices from DEWALT Industrial Tool Company
A ServiceTitan podcast with MCAA and UA representatives

New this year, MCAA will showcase one stand-down event daily on our social media channels to share our members’ good work. Be sure to tag us when posting about your and use #StandDown4Safety:

All MCAA members participating in the week will receive a Certificate of Participation from OSHA when they complete the form at the end of the week.

These resources are just a few of MCAA’s 700+ safety and health resources, all free to members as a benefit of membership.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Fall Prevention & Protection Resources

Falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities and fall protection is the most cited OSHA violation. MCAA’s Fall Prevention & Protection Resources provide training to keep workers safe when using aerial lifts, fall prevention and protection devices, ladders, and scaffolds to support contractor training efforts during the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and every day. They’re just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Available worker safety training videos & accompanying resources include:

Aerial Lift Safety

Fall Prevention and Protection

Ladder Safety

Scaffold Safety

You may also be interested in these related model safety programs:

Explore the full range of 700+ safety and health resources available from MCAA here.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA Partners with OSHA, NIOSH, and CPWR to Prevent Falls in Construction

MCAA is honored to join the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training as a Premier Partner for the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. The partnership gives MCAA members access to a variety of resources, which MCAA will augment with a little help from our friends in the Safety Alliance and MCAA members DEWALT, MILWAUKEE TOOL, and ServiceTitan. Working together, we can help prevent falls and improve safety in our industry.

Both the stand-down and Construction Safety Week will take place May 6-10, 2024.

Throughout the week, MCAA will highlight the following resources:

An extensive list of resources from OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR, including webinars, videos, Toolbox Talks, and trainings.
The OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR fall rescue webinar on May 7, 2024 | 02:00 PM ET REGISTER
More than seven trainings from MILWAUKEE TOOL LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Video messages from Safety Alliance leaders on our social media channels
New fall protection and dropped object devices from DEWALT Industrial Tool Company
A ServiceTitan podcast with MCAA and UA representatives

New this year, MCAA will showcase one stand-down event daily on our social media channels to share our members’ good work. Be sure to tag us when posting about your and use #StandDown4Safety:

All MCAA members participating in the week will receive a Certificate of Participation from OSHA when they complete the form at the end of the week.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Five Ways To Create A Safer Workplace for Women in Construction

Over 390,000 women work in the construction industry, up significantly over the past decade. Despite this tremendous growth, many women still face challenges, including safety and health. All workers deserve a safe workplace and to return home at the end of the day in the same shape as when they got there. MCAA’s Safety Excellence and Women in the Mechanical Industry initiatives are pleased to bring you these tips for creating safer workplaces for women.

The following tips are adapted from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) blog:

Provide Properly Fitting Personal Protective Equipment

Women’s safety on the job is undermined when safety measures, such as providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for diverse bodies, are not implemented in favor of a one-size-fits-all approach. A recent survey of tradeswomen and non-binary tradespeople found that nearly three in ten report never or rarely being provided gloves or safety equipment in sizes that fit them. According to another survey, 89% of tradeswomen said they had difficulty accessing PPE that fits and 77% reported they were exposed to unnecessary hazards because of ill-fitting PPE. In response, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to ensure that all employees have PPE that fits properly.

Guarantee Safe and Sanitary Bathrooms

OSHA’s sanitation standards require employers to provide accessible sanitary facilities for ALL personnel and to ensure that these facilities are maintained appropriately. Despite this, many tradeswomen we’ve talked to say they still lack access to clean toilets on sites, and too many encounter hostility and harassment from male colleagues when bathrooms are designated for women only. Inadequate and unsafe facilities lead to many women reporting that they avoid using toilets or drink less water. The result can be a higher incidence of bladder and kidney infections and an increased risk of heat stress and other health problems.

Ensure Protections for Pregnant and Postpartum Workers

Pregnant and postpartum workers often have unique health and safety needs. The new Pregnant Workers Fairness Act requires covered employers to provide “reasonable accommodations” to workers’ known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions unless the accommodation will cause the employer an undue hardship. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as recently extended by the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act), covered employers are required to provide nursing employees with reasonable break time and a private space, other than a bathroom, to express breast milk at work for up to one year after the child’s birth. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles eligible employees of covered employers to unpaid, job protected leave for the birth of and bonding with a child, for prenatal care and incapacity related to pregnancy, for the worker’s own serious health condition including following the birth of a child, and to care for a child with a serious health condition. Employers should ensure they are adhering to these laws and any other relevant state laws, and may choose to go beyond them by, for example, providing job-protected paid family and medical leave, paid sick leave and child care for workers with children. Supporting employees throughout all phases of their lives, including pregnancy and parenting, ensures that employers can attract and retain a pool of diverse, skilled workers.

Prevent Gender-Based Violence and Harassment

Lack of respect, discrimination and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) undermine worker health and safety and drive women out of male-dominated jobs. In fact, lack of respect or discrimination is the most commonly cited reason tradeswomen consider leaving the construction industry. Employers should assess their worksites and institute policies and programs to change workplace culture and prevent and address GBVH, such as those detailed in the Women’s Bureau’s Tools for Building an Equitable Infrastructure Workforce. Addressing GBVH is not just necessary for inclusivity; it plays a role in creating safe workplaces.

Promote Mental Health

Stress from GBVH, lack of inclusion, and demanding worksites can be harmful to worker health and increase mental health challenges, which can include mental illness and substance use disorders as well as emotions like grief, sadness, and anxiety. Research shows that workers who have not been integrated into a workplace culture are more likely to have accidents on the job due to the increased psychological and emotional stress of being excluded. These challenges can also lead to low job satisfaction for women, which results in their exit from construction occupations. OSHA’s webpage on Workplace Stress includes resources to both help understand the issue and provide guidance for employers to help address the issue.

MCAA applauds the DOL’s focus on women’s safety and health. Our Safety Excellence and Women in the Mechanical Industry initiatives are working together to bring you additional information on the topic in the future.

In the meantime, you can learn more about MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Initiative here. Questions can be addressed to Jocelyn Jackson, MCAA’s Director, WiMI and Dues Management.

Information on MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative is available here. Please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management with any questions.

EPA Issues First-Ever Limits on PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.” Prolonged exposure to PFAS has been linked to some serious safety and health issues, including cancers and impact to critical organs.

MCAA members have paid close attention to this issue since these harmful chemicals never fully degrade. PFAS are so prevalent that they can be found in the blood of almost every person in the U.S.

The EPA’s general summary of the final rule highlights fact sheets, presentations, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and regulatory information.

The final rule requires that:

Public water systems must monitor for these PFAS and have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring. Water systems must also provide the public with information on the levels of these PFAS in their drinking water beginning in 2027.
Public water systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions that reduce these PFAS if monitoring shows that drinking water levels exceed these maximum contaminant level (MCLs).
Beginning in five years (2029), public water systems that have PFAS in drinking water which violates one or more of these MCLs must take action to reduce levels of these PFAS in their drinking water and must provide notification to the public of the violation.

The final rule establishes MCLs for six PFAS in drinking water, “PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA as contaminants with individual MCLs, and PFAS mixtures containing at least two or more of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS using a Hazard Index MCL to account for the combined and co-occurring levels of these PFAS in drinking water. EPA also finalized health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for these PFAS.”

More information can be found here. The EPA is also holding three informational webinars:

April 16, 2024 (2:00-3:00 pm EDT) General Overview of PFAS NDPWR for Communities Registration
April 23, 2024 (2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT) Drinking Water Utilities and Professionals Technical Overview of PFAS NPDWR Registration
April 30, 2024 (2:00 – 3:30 pm EDT) Small Drinking Water Systems Webinar Series on Final PFAS NPDWR and PFAS Drinking Water Treatment Registration

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Distracted Driving Resources

Distracted driving kills thousands of people each year and seriously injures hundreds of thousands more according to the National Safety Council. MCAA’s distracted driving resources arm mechanical contractors with the resources needed to educate their workers during Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April and throughout the year. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Available resources include:

MCAA/CNA MICROLEARNING SAFETY VIDEO SERIES: Refraining from Distracted Driving
Distracted Driving Reduction and Prevention Guide
Workplace Distractions Worker Safety Training Video & Accompanying Resources – Video | Pocket Guide | Documentation Sheet | Test | Answer Key
Distracted Driving Safety Bulletin

You may also be interested in the distracted driving and vehicle tips contained in these toolbox talks:

For a full list of MCAA’s 700+ Safety & Health resources, visit this page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management

MCAA & NFPA Are Empowering Electrical Safety for Mechanical Service with New Training & Education

MCAA has joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer resources and tools customized and curated to specifically address and mitigate risks related to electrical safety posed to MCAA members, including physical, compliance and financial risks. Crafted by NFPA’s trusted subject matter experts, this content will provide actionable information and strategies to help you and your team keep pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment, identify potential hazards and shortfalls, and markedly improve safety for your employees, customers, and their workplaces and communities.

Depending on your needs and goals, we offer different levels of educational programs from introductory to more in-depth and on-going programming—and it’s all at a discounted rate.

See the brochure for offerings and discounts, then request more information at nfpa.org/mcaa-nfpa.

If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, please contact Raffi Elchemmas.

Now Order 988 Awareness Chips & Stickers Direct to Your Door

MCAA is committed to stemming our industry’s high suicide rates by breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. Over the last year, MCAA partnered with the UA, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC to distribute over 100k 988 awareness hard hat stickers and chips. At the same time, we built a comprehensive mental health program that includes dozens of toolbox talks and a world-class mental health awareness and suicide prevention video.

Additional stickers and chips are now available directly through the manufacturers of both. MCAA is pleased to say that both manufacturers employ union labor, and the chips and stickers carry the union label.

Item	How to Purchase
Stickers	See purchase options
Chips	Contact Lindsay Korpiniski at orderdesk@unionproud.com. Reference the MCAA and UA 988 Chips.

MCAA is committed to supporting our members’ mental health by spreading the word that “it’s okay to not be okay.” Resources like these will help our industry step up and change the culture of not speaking up when you have a problem. Not all injuries are visible. Not all trauma is evident. Your mental health matters.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Mental Health Awareness Resources

Construction is a demanding, high-stress profession with one of the highest suicide rates in the nation. Providing training and connecting people with treatment services can be hard. MCAA’s Mental Health Awareness resources simplify the process. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Available resources include:

A Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Video highlighting an industry veteran’s success story. The video includes appearances by MCAA past president Robert Beck, the UA’s Jen Massey, industry expert Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas, and MCAA member Ricky Reams.

A series of Mental Health Toolbox Talks that are easy to reference, quick to use, and a great way to start the conversation on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in construction at your company. English | Spanish

An MCAA & Alliance Partners Suicide Prevention Webinar that explores the issue and shares solutions for pushing mental health stigma aside and helping one another.

988 Chips & Hard Hat Stickers highlighting the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Both items include the UA and MCAA logos.
- MCAA members can order stickers here. To order chips, contact Lindsay Korpiniski at orderdesk@unionproud.com and reference the MCAA and UA 988 Chips. Both manufacturers employ union labor, and the chips and stickers carry the union label. Those with questions can contact Raffi Elchemmas (raffi@mcaa.org).
- UA members can order right from the UA’s webstore. Those with questions can reach out to Nicole Jeup (nicolej@uanet.org).

A Joint Statement from MCAA & UA on the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

You may also find the posters, flyers, and other resources available through these sites helpful:

Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP)
- preventconstructionsuicide.com

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- osha.gov/workplace-stress

988 Hotline
- 988lifeline.org

Many of the resources mentioned in this article are also available through 20 Years of Safety Excellence – September 2023: Mental Health Awareness.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Model Accident/Incident Investigation Program

Accidents/incidents impact worker safety and morale, as well as a company’s bottom line. MCAA’s Model Accident/Incident Investigation Program provides a methodical process to help contractors prevent similar repeat accidents/incidents, underscore the company’s commitment to safety, and save money. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The model program guides users through the process of:

Compiling the facts associated with the occurrence of an accident/incident
Determining the real cause or causes of the accident/incident and
Initiating appropriate action to prevent recurrence

An accident/incident investigation report form is included.

DOWNLOAD

You may also be interested in MCAA’s new Accident Investigation video for supervisors, which is available in both English and Spanish.

For a full list of MCAA’s 700+ Safety & Health resources, visit this page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

White House Opioid Announcement Features Alliance Partners

Today the White House announced a historic program targeting opioid overdoses. The White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose calls attention to construction industry efforts, including those of MCAA and our safety alliance partners at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC).

The announcement comes on the heels of the State of the Union address, which highlighted the efforts of overdose advocate Justin Phillips, who lost her son, Aaron, to an overdose. In 2015, Phillips worked with the Indiana legislature to pass a law giving laypersons, including family and friends of someone with a substance use disorder, access to naloxone without a prescription.

In today’s announcement, the White House notes:

“Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) represent over 10,000 union contractors, providing employment for hundreds of thousands of skilled trade workers in the United States. These organizations, in collaboration with union partners, trained thousands of workers on substance use disorder and overdose prevention and distributed a limited quantity of naloxone. MCAA, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC endorse having naloxone at all construction sites and urge employers to make the lifesaving medication available to their workforce.”

MCAA and our safety alliance partners have been working together to tackle our industry’s opioid overdose epidemic in coordination with White House staff. Meetings with White House staff have focused on coordinating industry access to naloxone.

“MCAA is honored to be a part of this historic initiative,” said Raffi F. Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health and Risk Management. He added, “Together with our safety alliance partners, MCAA strongly endorses the continuation of creating awareness of and engagement in solutions to the opioid epidemic such as having naloxone on construction sites and making the lifesaving medication available to the workforce.”

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