Category: Safety

OSHA Releases Interim Enforcement Guidelines for Silica Rule – MCAA’s Resources Will Help You Comply

OSHA recently released interim silica enforcement guidelines for its Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs). The guidelines, which are attached, may be helpful to you in preparation for OSHA’s enforcement of the standard.  MCAA expects that OSHA will begin full enforcement of the standard on October 23, 2017.      Guidelines

MCAA has a bank of silica safety resources that will help you protect your workers from overexposure, and help your companies comply with the standard. All the resources, including a worker safety training video, are available to members for free as a benefit of membership.  Direct links to the resources follow.

 

 

Need to Teach Your Service Techs to Work Safely Around RF Radiation? This Video Can Help!

MCAA’s Radio Frequency Radiation Exposure and Protection Safety Training Video will teach your mechanical service technicians how to identify sources of RF radiation and protect themselves from overexposure.

Your techs will learn about:

  • Potential rooftop RF exposures
  • The best safe work practices
  • Other protective measures for situations where standard safe work practices may not provide enough protection

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training concepts

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Register Now for MCAA’s 15th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference

Register now for MCAA’s 15th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference.  Join us January 23-25, 2018 at the Marriott Marquis, San Diego, California, for this “must attend” conference for all safety professionals. The 2018 conference theme is “Not on Our Watch,” where attendees will get even better at helping our fitters, plumbers, and service technicians protect themselves for workplace hazards.

Not only will attendees receive world class industry-specific education on emerging safety issues, applicable safety regulations, best safe work practices, and new safety technologies, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from  motivational speaker Neil Pasricha who will leave them feeling highly motivated and energized.

This conference continues to grow each and every year. For fourteen consecutive years the number of conference attendees has increased in large increments. We are already on target to set a new record for attendance in 2018.

Registration is $735 for members, $75 per guest and $900 for Exhibitors.

Please contact MCAA Director of Safety & Health, Pete Chaney at pchaney@mcaa.org if you have any questions.

Risk Factors, Solutions & Prevention Strategies that Fight the Opioid Epidemic

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is the research arm of OSHA, reports that narcotics—i.e., opioids— account for 29 percent of prescription costs covered by workers’ compensation. Construction workers are constantly moving and handling materials in ways that can lead to strains, sprains, ligament tears and pulled muscles. Opioid prescriptions are very common, but the drugs are highly addictive. However, employers can help prevent their workers from becoming addicted to opioids. The attached article on How to Mitigate the Abuse of Construction’s Drug of Choice was provided to MCAA  by long-time partner in safety… CNA.

Learn More

30 Day Compliance Assistance Period for Employers Making Good Faith Efforts to Comply with OSHA Silica Standard

OSHA’s new standard on Respirable Crystalline Silica is enforceable as of Saturday, September 23, 2017. However, employers who make good faith efforts to comply will receive compliance assistance from OSHA up to October 23, 2017. The agency is developing interim inspection and citation guidelines, which will be made available prior to October 23rd. MCAA will provide you with access to the guidelines as soon as they become available.

Learn More

Use of Sharp Drill Bits Results in Less Concrete Dust/Silica Exposure

The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) recently shared the results of research regarding the use of sharp vs. dull drill bits for drilling into concrete. The research was performed by Dr. David Rempel and his team at the University of California’s Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. In three experiments the research team showed that a worker’s exposure to noise, tool vibration and airborne silica dust increases substantially as a bit wears down from continued use.

The team designed a test bench system (pictured) that allows the researchers to test for and measure potential exposures to several hazards generated by different hammer drills – information that can help contractors and workers select and purchase safer tools. The test bench uses a mannequin torso attached to a slide mounted with equipment to measure a worker’s potential exposure to silica dust, noise, and the force and vibration that can lead to musculoskeletal injuries. The test bench also measures productivity – that is, how quickly the drill penetrates the concrete.

In their experiments, the team used a common hammer drill and carbide-tipped bit, isolating the effect of wear on the drill bit. As expected, heavily worn bits took much more time to penetrate the concrete than new ones, adding up to 60% to the time required to drill a 3” deep hole. Moreover, the worn bit increased the risk for illness and injury, generating about twice as much airborne silica dust, was almost two decibels (dBA) louder, and produced a small but significant increase in handle vibration. Combined, that means that a worker using a worn drill bit is exposed to more dust, noise and vibration, and for a longer period of time.  These results underscore the importance of replacing worn bits.

In a separate study, the team found that the best measures of wear on a carbide-tipped bit were reduced width of the tip and rounding of the tip shoulders.  Contractors and workers can check the condition of a bit by following these wear patterns.

While vacuums to control the dust and hearing protection will still be needed, the increase in productivity along with the reduced exposure to silica dust, noise, and vibration makes a strong safety and business case for regularly replacing worn drill bits.

Silica Standard Compliance Resources

OSHA’s new silica rule becomes enforceable on September 23, 2017. MCAA has several silica safety resources that are available to members for free as a benefit of membership. In addition, CNA, a long-time partner in safety with MCAA, is sharing its silica compliance course with MCAA members. Links to the silica safety resources are listed below.  If you have any questions, please contact Pete Chaney at pchaney@mcaa.org or 301-990-2214.

Wish Your Safety Supervisors Were Better Leaders? MCAA’s Video Will Teach Them How to Be!

MCAA’s Safety Leadership for Supervisors training video will provide your supervisors with an overview of the skills required to be a good safety leader and build a strong safety culture.

Your supervisors will learn from real-life examples about key leadership skills such as:

  • Leading by example
  • Relationship building
  • Mentoring
  • Demanding safety excellence
  • Taking good care of employees
  • Effective handling of difficult personalities

Download or Play

Revised Safety Manual for Mechanical Construction Workers Now Available in Print

MCAA recently released an electronic version of its newly revised Safety Manual for Mechanical Construction Workers. The manual, which includes substantive revisions to sections on CPR, choking, OSHA, silica, and confined spaces in construction, and new sections on noise, manganese, and zinc, is now available in print.

The extremely popular printed version is a pocket size manual on a durable, hard stock laminated paper. It’s also spiral bound to prevent binding damage.

The member price for printed copies has been substantially reduced. The new member pricing is $5.00 per manual, regardless of the number of manuals ordered. The non-member pricing is $20.00 per manual.

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Does Your Company Do Service Work or Have a Fab Shop?

Then you won’t want to miss these similar titles designed especially for service and fabrication shop workers.

Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Safety Manual for Mechanical Fabrication Shop Workers

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Revised Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians Now Available in Print

MCAA recently released an electronic version of its newly revised MSCA Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians. The manual, which includes substantive revisions to sections on CPR, choking, OSHA, arc flash and electrical shock protection, and refrigerants, and new sections on hexavalent chromium, manganese, noise, and zinc, is now available in print.

The extremely popular printed version is a pocket size manual on a durable, hard stock laminated paper. It’s also spiral bound to prevent binding damage.

The member price for printed copies has been substantially reduced. The new member pricing is $5.00 per manual, regardless of the number of manuals ordered. The non-member pricing is $20.00 per manual.

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Does Your Company Do Construction Work or Have a Fab Shop?

Then you won’t want to miss these similar titles designed especially for construction and fabrication shop workers.

Safety Manual for Mechanical Construction Workers

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Safety Manual for Mechanical Fabrication Shop Workers

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Registration for MCAA’s 15th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference Opens October 1, 2017

MCAA’s 15th annual Safety Directors’ Conference will be presented January 23 – 25, 2018 at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. Please mark your calendars so that you won’t miss this incredibly popular, world-class mechanical industry-specific safety and health education and networking conference.

Additional Offerings:

  • MCAA will present pre-conference first aid and CPR/AED classes, and first aid, and CPR AED instructor classes.
  • A post-conference Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification preparation workchop will be presented as well.

If you have interest in attending any of the pre or post conference classes, please let us know by sending an e-mail to pchaney@mcaa.org. Please disregard this request if you have already let us know your intentions.

MCAA Releases Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Worker Safety Training Video & Materials

MCAA’s new worker safety training video, Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems, and its accompanying materials are now available to members. The video walks the viewer through the most common causes of steel and copper piping system pressure testing failures, pretest walk-downs, and general safe work practices for hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing.

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training concepts

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Do You Have the Skills to Keep Workers Safe While Maintaining Profitability? MCAA’s Video Will Help Get You There!

MCAA’s Safety Management for Supervisors Training Video follows a seasoned mechanical construction supervisor as he leads a new colleague through the skills that are critical for effective safety management on mechanical construction projects.

The video, which was produced specifically for mechanical industry project managers, foremen and other jobsite supervisors, describes the key management skills that enable supervisors to keep employees safe and help maintain project profitability, including:

• Pre-task planning;
• Leadership;
• Hazard recognition;
• Auditing for compliance;
• Addressing safety concerns;
• Loss control;
• Recordkeeping; and
• Conflict resolution.

Download or Play

Protect Your Fitters, Plumbers, and Service Techs From the Extreme Heat By Reminding Them About Heat Illnesses and Prevention Methods

Now is a great time to remind your fitters, plumbers, service technicians, and their supervisors about heat illnesses and how to prevent them.  The heat illnesses we’re most concerned about include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat syncope, and heat cramps.

HEAT STROKE: The body loses its ability to sweat and can’t control its temperature. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.

HEAT EXHAUSTION: The body sweats away too much water and salt.

HEAT SYNCOPE: The body’s blood pressure becomes too low resulting in dizziness or fainting.

HEAT CRAMPS: The body experiences painful muscle spasms.

To help prevent heat illnesses:

  • Provide training for all affected workers on heat illnesses and prevention methods.
  • On extremely hot days, reduce the physical demands on your workers as much as possible.
  • Work tasks that are particularly physically demanding should be performed early in the morning or later in the afternoon avoiding the hottest part of the day.
  • Provide a constant supply of cold water.
  • Encourage your workers to drink at least a full cup of cold water every 15 to 20 minutes throughout each day.
  • Encourage your workers to avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and high sugar content drinks during periods of extremely hot temperatures.
  • Allow frequent rest periods in cool shaded areas.
  • Encourage your workers to wear light-weight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabrics that are also designed to filter out harmful UV rays.
  • Keep a close watch on workers who are at higher risk for heat illnesses. For example, workers required to wear hot personal protective equipment, such as arc flash gear, welding gear, respirators, etc., and overweight workers may be at higher risk.

New MCAA Safety Training Video on Musculoskeletal Wellness for Mechanical Construction Workers Now Available

MCAA recently released its new safety training video Better by Design: Musculoskeletal Wellness for Mechanical Construction Workers. The video, which replaces the association’s obsolete (2002) video on the safe manual handling of materials, addresses the most common causes of non-trauma related musculoskeletal pains and injuries in the mechanical construction industry. It includes safe work and personal health practices to help prevent them. Accompanying safety training materials, including a pocket guide, a training documentation sheet, and a 20-question multiple choice test with answer key are also available. The video is the first in a series of three MCAA worker safety training videos for 2017. Watch for the second video on safe pressure testing of steel and copper piping systems in August, and the third video on protection from workplace violence in November. Electronic access to all MCAA safety resources is free to members as a benefit of membership.

Video

Pocket Guide

Documentation Sheet

Test

Test Answer Key

Need Worker Training on the Proper Use of Fall Restraint and Fall Arrest Systems? These Resources Provide It.

Mechanical construction requires that workers perform many of their tasks at heights of 6’ or more above a lower level or an object. MCAA’s Fall Restraint and Arrest Systems Safety Training Video educates workers about when and how to properly use fall restraint and fall protection systems to protect themselves from injury.

The training:

  • Covers proper selection, fit, and use of fall restraint and arrest system components;
  • Introduces newer technology for safely accessing hard-to-reach overhead areas; and
  • Addresses worker safety immediately after an arrested fall.

After watching this training, workers will be much more aware of the tools that are available to help prevent and protect them from falls and how to effectively use them.

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Enforcement of New Provisions in OSHA’s Recordkeeping Rule Likely to Be Delayed

OSHA recently published a proposed rule that would establish a five-month enforcement delay of the new provisions in it’s recordkeeping rule. The new provisions require affected employers to report work-related injuries and illnesses to the agency annually in electronic format. The original enforcement date was July 1, 2017. However, the agency will not be prepared to receive electronic submissions from employers anytime soon. The newly proposed enforcement date is December 1, 2017. The proposed rule is out for public comment until the close of business July 13, 2017. MCAA anticipates that OSHA will proceed with a final rule. The agency is also considering proposing another rule that would revise the controversial recordkeeping regulation. For more information, please read the proposed rule. Updates on this issue are forthcoming.

Will You Be Prepared If OSHA Shows Up? MCAA’s Video Will Get You There!

“Uh-oh, OSHA just showed up!” These words can turn even the most seasoned jobsite supervisors into nervous wrecks. Avoid the stress with MCAA’s OSHA Inspections Safety Training Video, which will help you prepare for and properly manage OSHA jobsite safety inspections.

The video, which was produced specifically for mechanical industry project managers, foremen and other jobsite supervisors, shows you how to:

  • Prepare in advance for unexpected OSHA inspections
  • Manage the inspection process
  • Properly document the inspection
  • Address alleged violations and citations

Download or Play

MCAA Releases New Volume of Toolbox Safety Talks for Mechanical Construction Workers

A new volume of toolbox safety talks is now available. MCAA Toolbox Safety Talks for Mechanical Construction Workers (Volume VI) features 52 new talks representing one talk for each week in a calendar year. Volume VI also features a new format, which now highlights the potential hazards and primary exposures at the beginning of each talk, and includes a relevant picture to make each talk more engaging. Topic categories include:

  • Silica
  • Confined Spaces in Construction
  • Lesser Known Potential Health and Physical Hazards
  • Potentially Hazardous Substances/Energy Sources
  • Potentially Hazardous Equipment
  • Protective Equipment/Emergency Planning
  • Miscellaneous
  • Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Recordkeeping

The new resource is free to members as a benefit of membership and is accessible here.