MCAA recently added information to its safety bulletin and model program on confined spaces in construction to emphasize that even when employers are in compliance with OSHA’s confined spaces in construction standard, they are still required to comply with applicable parts of the agency’s welding and cutting standard.

National Construction Safety Week is a celebration of safe work practices by national and global construction firms. The celebration takes place each spring to remind construction workers and supervisors how important workplace safety is every week of every year. This year’s celebration takes place May 6 – 10.

Make sure your service techs have the up-to-date safety training they need to protect themselves from arc flash and electrical shock hazards while working on equipment pushing 480 volts or less. The session covers all applicable OSHA requirements, NFPA 70E provisions, best practices, and real-world accident information.

In the mechanical industry more than 50% of falls from elevation are falls from ladders. Most of the time it’s because our workers are reaching out too far, or carrying tools or materials in their hands while climbing. However, there are many other reasons for falls from ladders and this video can help you train your workers to recognize and avoid all of them.

MCAA president Mike Brandt and CNA construction segment director Mark Wilke presented five MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards at MCAA19 in Phoenix. The participating firms were judged on the quality of their safety programs, innovative safety initiatives, and overall safety performance in 2018.

Justin Azbill of J.C. Cannistraro is the first recipient of the new MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year Award. In presenting the award, Bill Hughes of MILWAUKEE TOOL said, “The incredible present-day emphasis on safety in the mechanical construction industry helped us realize the need to recognize the safety and health professionals that actually make the safe workplaces happen.” The award will be presented annually to the most deserving safety professional in the industry.

MCAA’s long-time partner in safety CNA has extensive expertise in fleet and driver safety. The firm is sharing distracted driving prevention solutions with MCAA, including a guide on limiting driver distractions from cell phone use, and a bulletin introducing small business (bSafeMobile) and large business (FleetSafer) technology solutions for distracted driving prevention.

MCAA’s 2019 Safety Directors’ Conference included five general session presentations, including a presentation on the Near Future of Safety in America by Dr. David Michaels, immediate past Assistant Secretary of Labor (OSHA).

OSHA recently published a final rule modifying its recordkeeping regulation that required employers with 250 or more employees to submit recordkeeping forms 300 (log of work-related injuries and illnesses), 301 (incident report form), and 300A (annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses). The new rule eliminates the obligation for the larger employers to submit their forms 300 and 301.

For the 16th consecutive year attendance at MCAA’s annual Safety Directors’ Conference increased substantially. The conference was presented last week in Orlando, Florida to a record crowd of 286 attendees, who enjoyed 17 educational sessions addressing the most current mechanical industry-specific safety and health topics and issues. They also appreciated several networking and team building opportunities throughout the conference.

Make sure your service techs have the up-to-date safety training they need to protect themselves from arc flash and electrical shock hazards while working on equipment pushing 480 volts or less. The session covers all applicable OSHA requirements, NFPA 70E provisions, best practices, and real-world accident information.

MCAA congratulates University Mechanical Contractors for working more than 1 million hours without an OSHA recordable injury or illness.

Online OSHA 10- and 30-hour construction safety standards courses, and the OSHA 10-hour general industry safety standards course (for fabrication shops and mechanical service work) are available to MCAA and MSCA members at discount prices.

OSHA’s recent changes to its recordkeeping rule also changed the way that employers must implement their safety incentive programs. MCAA’s new Guide to Safety Incentive Programs walks the user through what’s permissible, and why OSHA is requiring the changes. The guide also provides sample programs for individual workers; groups of workers, such as a crew on a single project; and both categories combined.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program is accepting applications from companies that achieved safety excellence in 2018. Applications must be submitted to MCAA by close of business on January 16, 2019.

Register right away to participate in MCAA’s 16th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference and guarantee the special MCAA hotel room rate. This conference is the mechanical industry’s single best safety and health educational and networking opportunity. It will be presented in Lake Buena Vista, FL (Orlando) January 22-24, 2019.

Many construction owners, general contractors, and construction managers require affected companies to establish written lockout/tagout safety programs that minimize risk to their employees and ensure compliance with OSHA regulations.

MCAA partner in safety CNA recently published 10 tips to help prevent overexposure to respirable crystalline silica. The company’s one page Risk Control Bulletin … Cut Down Your Silica Exposure describes ten ways to reduce silica exposure while working in construction. In the mechanical construction industry, exposure to respirable crystalline silica is most likely to occur when drilling, cutting or boring into concrete, or working around other trades that are performing similar tasks.

MCAA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Safety Training Video illustrates how observing basic precautions prevents the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and related diseases, such as Hepatitis B and HIV. Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training, and confirming that workers understand the training concepts. In addition, MCAA offers a model program on the topic.

MCAA recently learned that it earned a coveted 2018 Telly Award for its Workplace Violence Prevention and Protection safety training video. The video was developed and produced by MCAA to prepare pipefitters, plumbers, service technicians, fabrication shop workers, and office employees for the possibility of workplace violence. The Telly Awards winners represent work from some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world.

MCAA’s Rigging Safety Guide helps you deliver basic information about key safe rigging practices to keep your workers safe during rigging operations. Additional rigging safety materials from MCAA include a safety training video and accompanying materials and an Evaluator’s Guide to Qualified Riggers.

Register right away to participate in MCAA’s 16th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference and guarantee the special MCAA hotel room rate. This conference is the mechanical industry’s single best safety and health educational and networking opportunity. It will be presented in Lake Buena Vista, FL (Orlando) January 22-24, 2019.

The Milwaukee Tool Mechanical Industry Safety Professional of the Year Award will be presented for the first time at MCAA19 in Phoenix, AZ. The annual award will be presented to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence.

MCAA’s Model Fall Protection Program can be quickly and easily tailored to create your company’s program. You can supplement your written program with safety training from these MCAA resources.

MCAA recently released the MCAA Guide to In-Person Safety Training. The guide replaces the outdated MCAA Safety Training Guide. The new guide provides tips for making safety training sessions more engaging, walks the user through initial and on site safety training preparations, presents the most effective safety training methods, and describes the most critical safety training topics for the mechanical construction, service, and fabrication shop industry.