Backend Category: Safety Excellence Initiative

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.

June 2023: MSDs/Ergonomic Safety

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) or Ergonomic injuries are more than a buzzword. OSHA approximates that 1 in 3 injuries is an MSD and is costing U.S. workplaces billions of dollars each year. This month we are relaunching our recent video on Musculoskeletal Wellness. This video comes with a pocket guide, documentation sheet, test, and answer key. The kit also includes several microlearning videos and a supervisor video, both collaborations with our partners at CNA Insurance. You can also rewatch our Ergonomics webinar where we partnered with Washington University in St. Louis and CPWR to reduce MSDs in construction.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Musculoskeletal Wellness (Ergonomics)

MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series

Safety Training Webinars

Supervisor Safety Training Webinars

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Share Your Insights With Dodge Construction Network in NEW Jobsite Safety Report

MCAA is partnering with Dodge Construction Network on a new study on jobsite safety, and your participation is vital to its success. The purpose is to track trends in safety practices in the U.S. construction industry. This survey should take approximately 12 minutes to complete. 

In return for qualifying for, completing and submitting the survey, you will have the option to have a summary report of the survey findings emailed to you.

The findings will be released in a SmartMarket Report that will examine the prevalence of safety practices such as pre-task planning and dealing with heat exposure, the use of technology to enhance safety programs, understanding industry engagement with safety training and mentoring, examining the degree to which companies are addressing challenges with mental health and addiction, and exploring the best ways to communicate about safety. 

TAKE THE SURVEY

Your answers are strictly confidential and will not be associated with your name or the name of your company in any way. Your answers will be combined with others and only presented as averages or percentages, or by visual means that cannot be linked back to individual answers. Your answers are stored in a password protected database that can only be accessed by analysts at Dodge Construction Network. Your participation in this survey is completely voluntary.

Thank you for helping the industry to continue to prioritize and improve safety.

OSHA Announces National Emphasis Program to Prevent Falls

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that OSHA has begun a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and to reduce hazards which are causing or likely to cause serious injuries and fatalities from falls while working at heights. Considering that falls remain the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries in all industries, and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections, the agency has determined that an increase in enforcement and outreach activities is warranted.

The targeted enforcement program is based on historical Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and OSHA enforcement history. BLS data shows that of the 5,190 total fatalities in 2021, 680 were associated with falls from elevation, about 13 percent of all deaths. “This national emphasis program aligns all of OSHA’s fall protection resources to combat one of the most preventable and significant causes of workplace fatalities,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, Doug Parker.

The program establishes guidance for locating and inspecting fall hazards and allows OSHA compliance safety and health officers to open inspections whenever they observe someone working at heights. An outreach component of the program will focus on educating employers about effective ways to keep their workers safe. If a compliance officer determines an inspection is not necessary after entering a worksite and observing work activities, they will provide outreach on fall protection and leave the site.

“MCAA supports the focus on improving fall prevention, including the outreach and education to prevent falls across all industries.” said Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management. MCAA has several resources on working at heights, including videos and programs on Aerial Lift Safety, Fall Prevention and Protection, Ladder Safety, and Scaffold Safety.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FEDERALLY REQUIRED FALL PROTECTION
MCAA RESOURCES ON WORKING AT HEIGHTS

Safety Week 2023 Comes to a Close – Look Back On the Week

#SafetyWeek is a wrap! But the safety & health of our workers, our teams, and each other continues to be of the utmost importance. You can view all of last week’s video clips below for tips to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of our workers below.

May 1, 2023:
We kicked off the week with a message from Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas about how workers can stay safe while using ladders and stairs, or when working at heights.

May 2, 2023:
On Tuesday, we heard from National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Executive Director, Outside Line Safety Mike Starner, CUSP, CHST about how workers can protect themselves from line of fire incidents including caught-in, caught-between and struck-by. Lockout/tagout is also covered.

May 3, 2023:
The Association of Union Constructors Director of Environmental Health & Safety Alex Kopp shared a message on Wednesday about the importance of mental health and resources that are available to provide support.

May 4, 2023:
On Thursday, we heard from SMACNA Director of Safety Justin Crandol, CSP, ARM, CRIS with tips to help workers protect themselves from heat hazards.

May 5, 2023:
To close out the week, we heard from National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Executive Director of Safety Wesley Wheeler, SMS, CESCP about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), a critical component to jobsite safety.

MCAA Partners with Tyfoom to Provide Safety Training Resources to Members

Springville, Utah — May 2, 2023 — Tyfoom, an engagement platform for employee communication and training, today announced a partnership with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), which will give MCAA members access to select MCAA-produced training and education material and products via Tyfoom’s video-based microlearning format.

MCAA materials will be made available as short bite-sized microlearning videos that are easy to digest and assist with knowledge transfer. With Tyfoom’s advanced training capabilities and MCAA’s safety training content, members have everything they need to stay competitive and keep their employees safe.

“We are thrilled to partner with MCAA ,” said Mark Nelson, CEO of Tyfoom. “This partnership will enable us to provide MCAA members with access to world-class training content, and we are excited to help support the industry by providing innovative tools for training and communication.”

“We are excited about this partnership and the opportunity to expand our reach and impact through Tyfoom’s platform,” said Raffi Elchemmas, Executive Director, Safety, Health, and Risk Management, MCAA. “We look forward to working closely with Tyfoom to provide our members with the tools and resources they need to succeed.”

MCAA members can take advantage of Tyfoom’s powerful training and communication platform that helps organizations deliver relevant communication and training in the flow of work and as an on-demand resource. With the platform, organizations can also create their own content to ensure standardization of their unique best practices.

MCAA safety training content will be rolled out throughout the second and third quarter of 2023. New users may sign up at www.tyfoom.com/signup.

About Tyfoom

Tyfoom is the #1 engagement platform for employee communication and training. They provide a simple and easy way to connect all employees with leaders everyday 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. For more information visit: www.tyfoom.com.

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.

May 2023: Working at Heights

Working at heights continues to be one of the most dangerous parts of construction and service. Each year falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities and fall protection is the most cited OSHA violation. MCAA has put together a kit which includes training on Aerial Lift Safety, Fall Prevention and Protection, Ladder Safety, and Scaffold Safety. This kit also includes model programs on fall protection and fall rescue. This could be one of the most important kits of the year.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Aerial Lift Safety

Fall Prevention and Protection 

Ladder Safety

Scaffold Safety

Model Safety Programs

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

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.

April 2023: Worker Health

Worker health is at the heart of all that safety professionals do. This month the MCAA is packaging six worker safety videos and their accompanying materials with eleven worker safety resources and bringing you an infection control recertification webinar with the ASSE, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. Members can refresh training on subjects such as Asbestos Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hexavalent Chromium, Silica, Radio Frequency Radiation Safety, Respiratory Protection as well as download guides, bulletins, and programs on each topic.

ASSE 12020 Infection Control Recertification Webinar

April 13, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Asbestos Awareness

Bloodborne Pathogens

Hexavalent Chromium

Silica

Radio Frequency Radiation Safety

Respiratory Protection

Safety Bulletins

Safety Guides

Model Safety Programs

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

Get Recertified for ASSE 12020 – This Webinar Is the First Step

Did you take MCAA’s ASSE 12020: Environment of Care, Infection Control and Construction Risk Assessment Professional Qualification Standard certification class in April 2020? If so, your certification is set to expire, and MCAA has prepared a free 2-hour recertification course through ASSE International. The goal of the ASSE 12020 personnel certification is to provide end users with contractors and technicians who can work as valuable members of construction risk assessment teams. You can assist in protecting building occupants from pathogens and other potential construction hazards while at the same time preventing outbreaks. Following the course, attendees will need to pass a recertification exam. The cost of the exam is $110. ASSE will provide additional details during the webinar. Join MCAA and ASSE on Thursday, April 13 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern to take the first step toward your recertification.

Get Recertified for ASSE 12020 – This Webinar Is the First Step

Did you take MCAA’s ASSE 12020: Environment of Care, Infection Control and Construction Risk Assessment Professional Qualification Standard certification class in April 2020? If so, your certification is set to expire, and MCAA has prepared a free 2-hour recertification course through ASSE International. The goal of the ASSE 12020 personnel certification is to provide end users with contractors and technicians who can work as valuable members of construction risk assessment teams. You can assist in protecting building occupants from pathogens and other potential construction hazards while at the same time preventing outbreaks. Following the course, attendees will need to pass a recertification exam. The cost of the exam is $110. ASSE will provide additional details during the webinar. Join MCAA and ASSE on Thursday, April 13 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern to take the first step toward your recertification.

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.

March 2023: Power Tool & Hand Tool Safety

Every contractor and worker use tools to do their job. Injuries from improper use and choosing the wrong tool for the job happen far too often. This month’s kit provides members with information on the most common hand and power tool injuries in the mechanical construction and service trades. The videos highlight the tools most likely to be involved in an injury incident and teach proper use of the tools to help prevent injuries. Also, check out these additional resources from our partner in safety, MILWAUKEE TOOL, for additional information on power and hand tool safety.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Hand & Power Tool Safety

Welding and Cutting Safety

Welding – Electric Arc Welding Safety

MILWAUKEE TOOL Resources

Hand Incident Prevention Training Kits

Safety Training Videos

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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

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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.

    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