Backend Category: Safety Excellence Initiative

IAPMO & AWWA Publish Recommended Practices for the Safe Closure & Reopening of Building Water Systems

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) have published the AWWA/IAPMO Manual-2022: Manual of Recommended Practices for the Safe Closure and Reopening of Building Water Systems.

This manual of recommended practice is intended to provide expert guidance on building water system safety. It provides sound and effective risk management practices for preparing water systems when buildings must be shut down or put into low-use modes, “exercising” building water systems during periods of no or low use, and evaluating and prepping water systems for reopening.

“This manual will serve as a practical reference for repeatable and reliable methods to manage building operations through a full range of challenges,” said Rich Benkowski, UA Department of Education Consultant.

Read the full press release and download the new manual below.

PRESS RELEASE
MANUAL

Celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence Each Month of 2023 With a Safety Resource Kit

To celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence, MCAA is offering monthly safety kits to benefit our contractors around the country and the mechanical industry workers they support. Each kit will include videos, webinars, trainings, and additional resources on each monthly topic.

February 2023: Personal Protective Equipment

PPE is the last line of defense, and sometimes all you need to prevent and injury or save a life. Preventable injuries impact our safety culture, company morale, and our bottom lines. This month’s kit includes our newest videos on hearing protection, head protection, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hand protection. These videos are a candid look at what happens when you don’t wear PPE, and how easily you can help yourself and others by wearing these lifesaving pieces of personal protection.

Webinar

Protection Standards Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Safety Bulletin

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

Ricky Reams Named 2022 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year

MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL congratulate Ricky Reams, the 2022 Safety Professional of the Year award winner. Ricky has been a passionate safety leader for many years and his work to advance mental health is without equal. Ricky is the VP of Safety and Quality at Murphy Company in St. Louis, MO. The award was announced at MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference in San Diego, CA in January. The award is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to achieving an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. Ricky has been invited to MCAA23 in Phoenix, AZ in March to receive the award on stage during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL congratulate Ricky and thank him for his commitment to safety.

2023 MCAA Safety Conference Highlighted Safety Leadership & Worker Health

    Safety is the top priority for MCAA contractors, and attendance at the 2023 MCAA Safety Conference proved it. The 2023 conference was the largest safety event in MCAA history, bringing together over 350 professionals to focus on safety and health in San Diego, CA.

    The conference featured 50 hours of education and training including keynotes on safety leadership, mental health, and safety management. It included 20 breakout sessions on current safety issues and priorities.

    “This has been one of the best conferences I’ve ever been a part of.”

    Tracy Haus, MCAA Safety & Health Committee Chairman and Baker Group Safety Director

    The conference celebrated its 20th anniversary at PETCO Park at an event hosted by the MCAA Board of Directors.

    Feedback from attendees was exceptional and highlighted the new expert panel discussion and presentation from Jen Massey, the UA’s Safety, Health, and Environmental Administrator.

    With the increased focus on health, from mental health to worker health, MCAA will expand the conference moving forward. Mark your calendar and plan to join us for the 2024 MCAA Safety & Health Conference January 16-18, 2024 in Tucson, AZ.

    Inspection Notice: Specific 3M Construction & Vest Style Harnesses

    3M has notified the industry of a potential issue that could result in some construction and vest style harnesses not performing properly. This condition results in the adjuster not being able to be adjusted or not locking in place after adjustments have been made. This manufacturing issue will result in the harness not performing properly in the event of a fall, which could result in severe injury or death. Protect your workers – read the inspection notice below.

    Celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence Each Month of 2023 With a Safety Resource Kit

    To celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence, MCAA is offering monthly safety kits to benefit our contractors around the country and the mechanical industry workers they support. Each kit will include videos, webinars, trainings, and additional resources on each monthly topic.

    January 2023: New Worker Safety & Health

    To kick off the year, we are focusing on new workers. New workers are often the most vulnerable to accidents and injuries. In this month’s kit we have videos, programs, and manuals, including a New Worker Safety Orientation video and several accompanying resources. This package of resources is meant to train new workers on how to identify common hazards in the mechanical industry, and how to protect themselves from those hazards. Topics covered include stop work authority, pre-task planning, PPE, working at heights, fall protection, fall prevention, power tool safety, hazard communication, housekeeping, and emergency procedures.

    New Worker Safety Orientation

    Safety Manuals

    Safety Programs

    DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

    Transform Your Safety & Health Program With More Than 700 MCAA Resources

    Did you know that the MCAA currently has more than 50 worker and supervisor safety training videos? Each year MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative produces several new training videos, programs, guides, posters, toolbox talks and other resources. With more than 700 unique safety and health resources, the MCAA has what you need to transform your safety and health program. Our recently updated safety resource page helps members quickly identify the newly produced videos and resources to stay up to date with regulations and ahead of the curve with safety and health.

    Have an idea for a new resource? Email MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management, Raffi Elchemmas, at raffi@mcaa.org 

    VIEW RESOURCES

    Learn to Lead with Mental Health in Mind from 2023 Safety Conference Speaker Josh Rizzo

    Mental health awareness is a growing priority in the mechanical industry. At the 2023 MCAA Safety Conference, hear from Josh Rizzo, a Bronze Star Medal recipient and longtime construction industry expert, on how to take care of yourself and the teams you serve. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

    MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference also includes 50+ hours of education and training from subject matter experts on safety, health, risk management, and legal issues. Join us for three days of presentations, discussions, and demonstrations with 300+ occupational safety and health professionals, principals, owners, local affiliated executives, UA instructors, NECA/TAUC/SMACNA partners, and anyone who has safety and health responsibilities.

    LEARN MORE & REGISTER

    Biggest Safety Conference in MCAA History Will Provide Even More Opportunities to Learn from Peers

    MCAA is on track to have the highest number of safety professionals in one place in over 20 years at MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference, providing even more opportunities to learn from other professionals. The event will include 50+ hours of education and training, keynote speeches on safety leadership and a celebration of safety. We will once again be joined by our partners in safety, the United Association. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

    LEARN MORE & REGISTER

    Learn to Inspire Employees with Standout Leadership from 2023 Safety Conference Speaker Connie Podesta

    MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference includes 50+ hours of education from subject matter experts, plus inspiring keynote speakers like Connie Podesta. Connie will take you inside the minds of your most difficult employees and give you the tools to turn negative attitudes into positive, entitlement into accountability, complacency into productivity, complaining into solutions and “that’s not my job” into ownership. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

    Prepare for the Certified Safety Professional Exam with MCAA 2023 Safety Conference Add-On Courses Sponsored by ClickSafety

    January 17-19, 2023 | San Diego, California

    MCAA is celebrating 20 years of safety excellence with our 20th anniversary safety conference, January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. New this year, an extended learning (add-on) course will prepare safety professionals for the Board of Certified Safety Professionals’ Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam. The course, which is limited to 20 students, is sponsored by MCAA’s newest Manufacturer/Supplier Council member, ClickSafety.

    Led by SPAN, the course will review hundreds of problems addressing the complete examination blueprint in a question-and-answer format complete with fully developed explanations. It targets the principles and theories required to pass the examination. There is an additional fee to attend the course.

    The conference itself will offer over 50 hours of safety training and education, including keynote speeches on safety leadership, mental health, and safety management. Conference registration is open to our partners, the members of the United Association, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC.

    Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at eventregistration@mcaa.org or 301-869-5800.

    MORE INFORMATION
    REGISTER NOW

    Registration is Now Open for MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference: 20 Years of Safety Excellence

    January 17-19, 2023 | San Diego, California

    MCAA is excited to open registration for our 20th Annual Safety Conference.

    As the longest running skilled trade safety conference, we will be offering over 50 hours of training and education, including three incredible keynote speeches on safety leadership, mental health, and safety management. The conference will also include a special 20th anniversary celebration at PETCO Park hosted by MCAA’s Board of Directors.

    New this year, we will be extending our time with exhibitors to discover the latest in safety product innovations and technology breakthroughs. We will also be offering a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) prep course for those interested in taking their safety certifications to the next level. Registration for the prep course is limited to 20 attendees total and is an additional fee. 

    This three-day conference is designed to give safety professionals the insight they need, from upcoming OSHA regulations and hazard research, to breakthroughs in product safety and safety training. Conference registration is open to our partners, the members of the United Association, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC.

    Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at eventregistration@mcaa.org or 301-869-5800.

    MORE INFORMATION
    REGISTER NOW

    MCAA, NECA, SMACNA and TAUC Join Forces to Recognize September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month with #988 Chip

    Construction is a hard and high-stress profession and has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation. This month, MCAA has joined forces with NECA, SMACNA and TAUC to acknowledge those affected by suicide, help raise awareness about mental health and connect individuals with treatment services. Our four trade associations are uniting behind fixing this problem and shining a light on the importance of your mental health. Together we have released a chip with the new suicide and crisis prevention number; #988. 

    Our goal is to provide our members OR someone they know, with a resource where they can get help. We want to spread the message of “It’s okay to not be okay.” It’s time for the construction industry to 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.

    To get a set of chips, please email your mailing address and your chip quantity request to Raffi Elchemmas.

    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).

    THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ALLIANCE FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

    Save the Date for MCAA’s Safety Conference: 20 Years of Safety Excellence

    The 2023 Safety Conference will be celebrating 20 years in San Diego, CA, January 17-19, 2023.

    Conference highlights include:

    • Participate in over 50 hours of training and education, including a CSP prep course, innovations in safety tech & product safety, and a behind the scenes update from OSHA.
    • Learn from keynote speakers, Connie Podesta on safety leadership, Josh Rizzo on mental health, and Bill Sims on safety management.
    • Celebrate 20 years of Safety Excellence on the field at Petco Park hosted by MCAA’s Board of Directors.
    • Hear from the United Association’s New Safety Health and Environmental Administrator.

    Registration will be opening on September 15th, 2022.

    MCAA Partners with OSHA for Safe + Sound Week

    MCAA has partnered with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for Safe + Sound Week, August 15-21, 2022. This nationwide event, held each August, recognizes the successes of workplace health and safety programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America’s workers safe.

    The week is part of the year-round Safe + Sound campaign to encourage every workplace to have a safety and health program. Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line.

    Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started, energize an existing program, or provide a chance to recognize your company’s safety successes.

    MCAA contractors looking for an opportunity to recognize their company’s commitment to safety are welcome to participate. Last year, more than 5,300 businesses helped to raise awareness about workers’ health and safety.

    If you have questions, please contact:

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

    Click the below links for more information and resources.

    MCAA Safety & Health Resources
    Safe + Sound Week

    MCAA Launches Heavily Requested New Worker Safety Orientation Resources

    New workers are often the most vulnerable to accidents and injuries. To help, MCAA produced a New Worker Safety Orientation video and several accompanying resources. This package of resources is meant to train new workers on how to identify common hazards in the mechanical industry, and how to protect themselves from those hazards. Topics covered include: stop work authority, pre-task planning, PPE, working at heights, fall protection, fall prevention, power tool safety, hazard communication, housekeeping, and emergency procedures.

    New Worker Safety Orientation resources include:

    VIDEO

    POCKET GUIDE

    DOCUMENTATION SHEET

    TEST

    ANSWER KEY

    For coverage of other safety topics critical to our industry, including training videos and materials, visit the Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page. If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management