With so many of us working remotely it’s important to consider the ergonomic design of our workspaces. MCAA’s long-time partner CNA is sharing with us Ergonomic Tips for Working Remotely.

Due to the amount of questions received during MCAA’s 4th webinar: Guidelines for COVID-19 to Help Protect Mechanical Industry Workers, we have created an FAQ as of April 1, 2020. This resource will be updated as the situation evolves.

MCAA developed a best practices guidance document to help protect mechanical construction and service workers from COVID-19 exposure. MCAA and the United Association partnered with several industry experts to gather all facts and proper procedures concerning this virus. Because MCAA members are using the safety talk for worker training, MCAA developed a 20-question multiple choice test and accompanying answer key to help members document that the training occurred, and that trainees understand the training content.

A contracted estimator fell from an extension ladder when a cracked rung broke while he was climbing the ladder. The estimator was seriously injured, sustaining a skull fracture and multiple leg fractures. The estimator had been aware of the defect in the ladder. The defect was caused when the ladder fell at an earlier job site. However, the estimator continued to use the ladder rather than seeking a replacement. These ladder safety tips from CNA will help you keep workers safe.

MCAA is sharing a very informative video on how to safely bring groceries and fast food into your home, while protecting your family’s safety and health.

Long-time MCAA friend and partner, MILWAUKEE TOOL, is sharing guidelines with MCAA members regarding the proper cleaning and disinfecting of tools. MCAA thanks MILWAUKEE TOOL for helping prevent the spread of COVID-19, and for sharing this information with MCAA.

Guardian Fall Protection is recalling specified Diablo Big Block Leading Edge Self-Retracing Lifelines (SRL) due to a potential manufacturing defect. If your company is using this product and it falls within the part numbers listed below, remove affected products from service immediately and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for returning the product for inspection and repair. 

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 developed a best practices guidance document to help protect mechanical construction and service workers from COVID-19 exposure. MCAA and the United Association partnered with several industry experts to gather all facts and proper procedures concerning this virus.

Federal OSHA recently informed its regional and area offices that the agency is implementing a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica. The NEP targets specific trades in the construction industry. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code# 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) is being targeted. This means that OSHA’s compliance officers nationwide will be emphasizing inspections/enforcement where respirable crystalline silica could be generated in our trade.  MCAA recommends that you verify that your company is in compliance with the OSHA standard… Respirable Crystalline Silica.

Genie has been notified of three instances where the bottom turntable rotation bearing bolts in specified machines have come loose causing the separation of the turntable from the chassis. Separation of the turntable from the chassis can result in a machine tip-over or other structural failure.

Kim Bassett, President and CEO of Bassett Mechanical, and Charles A. Bacon, III, CEO of Limbach Facility Services, have been named to Safety+Health magazine’s list of 2020 CEOs Who “Get It.” This annual recognition is presented to safety leaders who go the extra mile to protect employees both on and off the job, as nominated by readers. “I do many things in my role as president and CEO,” Kim said, “but doing my best to keep our associates safe is by far the most important.”

Check out the pictures from MCAA’s 17th Annual Safety Directors Conference where a record number of attendees, including member safety professionals, UA safety instructors, and MCA local executives came together for world class education on the safety and health topics and issues that are currently affecting the mechanical construction and service industry. 

Mechanical industry safety professionals and UA safety instructors came together for world-class education on the most current, mechanical industry-specific safety and health topics and issues during MCAA’s Annual Safety Directors’ Conference. MCAA thanks CNA and MILWAUKEE TOOL for sponsoring the event.

MCAA is still accepting applications for the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program. The application deadline is January 24, 2020.

MCAA is still accepting applications for the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program. The application deadline is January 24, 2020.

A small number of Guardian Fall Protection leading edge compatible self-retracting lifelines (SRL-LE) have been identified as non-compliance with the American National Standard Institute’s (ANSI) standard Z359.14-14 Safety Requirements For Self-Retracting Devices For Personal Fall Arrest And Rescue Systems. The affected SRLs must be removed from service immediately.

The deadline to nominate someone for the 2019 Milwaukee Tool/MCAA Safety Professional of the Year award is Friday, December 20, 2019. 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.

All Guardian Fall Protection and Web Devices 3-Way Rescue and Retrieval self-retracting lifelines (SRL) manufactured before March of 2019 are being recalled. Under certain conditions, braking forces may cause gear misalignment, potentially resulting in diminished rescue/retrieval. If your company uses any of these SRLs manufactured before March 2019, or uses the equipment, but is uncertain of the date of manufacture, the SRLs should be removed from service immediately.

Crosby Group has determined that certain sizes and types of Crosby shackles may have a condition that can reduce the ultimate load capacity from the published catalog values. The shackle bow may have a previously undetected defect; and continued use may result in loss of load, property damage, severe injury, or death. If your company uses Crosby shackles G-2130, S-2130, G-213, S-213, G-209, S-209, G-2130OC in size and capacity range 7/8” Size, 6.50t,  with capacity and product identification code (PIC) 5VJ, immediate action is required. 

Don’t miss out on our industry’s best opportunity for world class education on the safety and health topics and issues that are currently affecting mechanical construction and service businesses. Registrations for MCAA’s 17th annual Safety Directors’ Conference are on pace to result in a 17th consecutive year of record attendance. There are already more than 170 attendees registered for the conference. The conference will be presented January 21-23, 2020 in San Antonio, Texas. Pre and post conference courses will also be presented. Our room block at the Westin on the River Walk in San Antonio expires on January 3rd, so please be sure to register before then to guarantee the best possible overnight room rate.

In response to numerous requests, MCAA is extending the application deadline for the MILWAUKEE TOOL/MCAA Safety Professional of the Year award to December 20, 2019. 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.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program is now accepting applications for 2019.

Motion is money and safety in the construction business, which relies on employees’ physical movements to accomplish the job at hand. MCAA’s new Motion is Money and Safety video will teach your supervisors to recognize opportunities to minimize movement, leading to safer and more profitable jobs.