Category: Safety

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Excavation Safety for Mechanical Construction Safety Training Video

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s Excavation Safety Training Video, which teaches workers to use protective systems and safe work practices to ensure their work in excavations will be as safe as any other part of the job.

Workers will learn:

  • How soil types govern protective system safety requirements
  • How weather conditions can change soil types
  • When it’s safe to enter an excavation
  • Why atmospheric monitoring is so important
  • When protective systems are needed
  • The importance of effective access and egress
  • What to do if they see anything that could be hazardous
  • What to do in case of an excavation cave-in

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Excavation cave-ins happen so quickly there is literally no time to react, so MCAA offers accompanying materials to assist members 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.

Need Guidance On Your Electrical Safety Lockout/Tagout Program to Comply with NFPA 70E – 2021? MCAA Has What You Need

NFPA 70E is the industry consensus standard for electrical safety in the workplace. It is part of the National Electrical Codes, and it is revised by the National Fire Protection Association every three years. The most current version is NFPA 70E – 2021. Parts of the standard help us protect our service technicians from electrical shock and arc flash hazards. One of the provisions in the standard calls for affected employers to establish a lockout/tagout program that is specific to electrical safety. MCAA’s Model Lockout/Tagout Program for Electrical Safety, which addresses work on mechanical equipment pushing 480 volts or less, was recently revised to make it consistent with NFPA 70E – 2021.

Would a Zero Injury Safety Award from NMAPC Benefit Your Company?

The National Maintenance Agreements Policy Committee (NMAPC) is now accepting online applications for its 21st Annual Zero Injury Safety Awards® (ZISA®), which will recognize zero-injury achievements in calendar year 2020. ZISA® celebrates the efforts of industrial business owners/clients, union contractors and building trades in achieving world-class safety performance on their projects. To be eligible, projects must be completed under the terms of the National Maintenance Agreement.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ZISA® CRITERIA

APPLY NOW

The Next Qualified Level Arc Flash Safety Training Webinars Scheduled for March 18, 2021

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.

VIEW BROCHURE

The next two webinars will be presented on March 18, 2021. The first webinar will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. EST, and the second is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST.

REGISTER TODAY

Take advantage of the MCAA/MSCA member discounted webinar prices below.

PRICING:

# of Trainees (per company)Cost (per person)
1-5$200/person
6-10$175/person
11-25$150/person
26-50$125/person
51-100$100/person
101+Email for Pricing

If you can’t make it in March, the webinar will be taught again twice on April 22, 2021. Questions? Contact Pete Chaney.

Need to Update Your Electrical Safety Program to Comply with NFPA 70E – 2021? MCAA Has What You Need

NFPA 70E is the industry consensus standard for electrical safety in the workplace. It is part of the National Electrical Codes, and it is revised by the National Fire Protection Association every three years. The most current version is NFPA 70E – 2021. Parts of the standard help us protect our service technicians from electrical shock and arc flash hazards. One of the provisions in the standard calls for affected employers to establish an electrical safety in the workplace program. MCAA’s Model Electrical Safety in the Workplace Program, which addresses work on mechanical equipment pushing 480 volts or less, was recently revised to make it consistent with NFPA 70E – 2021.

Fluke Recalling Certain Clamp Meters

Fluke is recalling certain models of its clamp meters. The first of the two recalls addresses meters manufactured at various times throughout 2019 and 2020. The concern is a manufacturing error that may render a safety function inoperable. The error could severely limit or eliminate protection against arc explosion, burns, or electric shock. To help protect your workers, determine whether your company has any of the affected clamp meters. If so, stop use of the meters immediately and follow the instructions for repair. LEARN MORE

The second of the two recalls addresses meters manufactured at various times throughout 2010, 2011, and 2012. In this case, the concern is a circuit assembly that may not be properly fastened, which could result in inaccurate voltage readings presenting shock, electrocution, and thermal burn hazards. LEARN MORE

Scissors Lifts Load Sensing/Operation Issue

SkyJack, Genie, and possibly other brands of scissors lifts that have been outfitted with load sensors are experiencing problems. While the sensors help the user comply with the recently revised ANSI A92.20 standard’s load sensing requirements, the lifts’ new sensor systems allow the user(s) to elevate with an overload and may leave workers stranded at elevation.

This occurs when platform elevation is stopped at around 10 feet high or higher. The overload light comes on and the lift will no longer operate. Apparently, the load sensors are in the lift cylinder, so they cannot start measuring actual platform load until the main lift cylinder is almost vertical.

If your company is using these types of lifts, make sure your workers know the lifts’ load limits and have an alternative way to accurately calculate the total load (for example, their body weight(s) plus the weight of tools, materials, etc.).

It is also a good idea to have a plan to get the workers down safely if needed. This might involve proper use of the lifts’ rescue functions or use of another nearby lift. 

Need the Bottom Line on OSHA’s Recent COVID-19 Guidance? MCAA’s Summary Has It

OSHA recently released guidance to help employers protect their workers and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace. MCAA’s new summary highlights the bottom line items in the areas of COVID-19 Prevention Programs, Return to Work Criteria, Social Distancing Measures, Engineering Controls, Face Coverings and PPE, and Sanitization, Cleaning, and Disinfecting Practices.

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Congratulations to MCAA/Milwaukee Tool Safety Professional of the Year Cheryl Wiese

MCAA and Milwaukee Tool congratulate Cheryl Wiese for receiving the 2020 Safety Professional of the Year award, which was announced last month at MCAA’s 18th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference. Cheryl is the Safety Director for Modern Companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She leads the extremely strong safety culture across five divisions at five different locations throughout the Midwest. Cheryl and her team recently implemented a safety down day across four office locations to provide needed reminders and training to all the crews who were working more than 30 jobs. She ensured that the company’s senior leadership and project managers were actively involved in facilitating the safety training and reinforcing the company’s positive safety culture. Warmest congratulations to Cheryl from MCAA and Milwaukee Tool!

User Safety Notice for MSA’s Latchways Standard Self-Retracting Lifelines

MSA has issued a user safety notice to inform users of received field reports for a limited number of Latchways Standard Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRL) in which some internal bolts came loose. MSA has not received any reports of injuries associated with this condition. However, it is requesting that users perform the actions outlined in the notice. Over time, the loose bolts will be identifiable by the user as extraction of the cable from the SRL housing will no longer be possible. However, MSA’s investigation has determined that this may be preceded by a window of time in which a fall may not be arrested.

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Need to Learn About the Changes Made to NFPA 70E for 2021? Join Our Webcast on February 9th

Join us for a 45-minute executive summary of the key changes to the NFPA 70E 2021 standard, free for MCAA/MSCA members. The instructors will also provide critical updates from OSHA on how they intend to enforce electrical and arc flash safety in 2021. There will be two webcasts on February 9th. The first webcast will be presented from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. ET. The second will be presented from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. ET.

BROCHURE

REGISTER

MCAA’s COVID-19 Safety Stand Down Will Emphasize Pandemic Safety

Safety is top priority for MCAA member companies, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. MCAA’s COVID-19 Safety Stand Down from February 1-5, 2021 will revisit the protective measures and MCAA safety resources associated with COVID-19. A series of resources will help you provide the necessary information about COVID-19 risks, protective measures, forthcoming vaccines, and vaccine administration phases to your workers. Also included is information to help you remind your state and local officials that mechanical construction work is both safe and essential, and must continue to be categorized that way.

Resources

  1. Two COVID-19 Toolbox Safety Talks for Mechanical Industry Workers LEARN MORE
  2. CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit for Essential Workers LEARN MORE
  3. CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Phases LEARN MORE
  4. Access to MCAA’s COVID-19 Safety Resources LEARN MORE
  5. COVID-19 Information for Construction Employers Concerning Keeping Construction Safe and Essential LEARN MORE

If you have questions about any of these resources, or need other safety-related assistance, please contact Pete Chaney.

The Next Qualified Level Arc Flash Safety Training Webinars Scheduled for February 18, 2021

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.

VIEW BROCHURE

The next two webinars will be presented on February 18, 2021. The first webinar will take place from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. EST, and the second is from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EST.

REGISTER TODAY

Take advantage of the MCAA/MSCA member discounted webinar prices below.

PRICING:

# of Trainees (per company)Cost (per person)
1-5$200/person
6-10$175/person
11-25$150/person
26-50$125/person
51-100$100/person
101+Email for Pricing

If you can’t make it in February, the webinar will be taught again in March. Please watch the website for dates and times. Questions? Contact Pete Chaney.

MCAA’s 18th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference Scores Big

MCAA’s 18th annual Safety Directors’ Conference, which was presented virtually this year due to the pandemic, was attended by more than 400 participants, including mechanical industry safety professionals, member firm principals, MCA local affiliates, and United Association OSHA instructors.

We came together for world-class education on the safety and health topics and issues that are currently affecting the mechanical construction and service companies nationwide.

Conference participants received opportune safety messages in keynote presentations from renown disaster response physician Dr. Dan Diamond, space shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane, and safety training expert Dale Lesinski. The group also participated in educational sessions covering NFPA 70E, tool safety, Legionella, the new ANSI A92 aerial work platform standards, positive safety culture change, refrigerant safety, microlearning, asbestos, opioids and reasonable suspicion, and the biological basis of complacency. Conference sessions are available to registered attendees until February 19, 2021.

Next year’s conference will be presented January 18-20, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. Mark your calendars!

MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Application Deadline EXTENDED to January 22

MCAA and long-time safety partner CNA are extending the deadline for members to apply for the most prestigious safety awards in the mechanical construction and service industry. The annual MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards program honors MCAA member companies’ successful safety programs and innovative safety initiatives because nothing is more important than the health and safety of our workers. Take a moment to celebrate your company’s successes in the age of COVID-19 – APPLY TODAY!

To be eligible to win, a company needs to submit an application by January 22, 2021 describing:

• Its safety and health program in 2020 and why it believes it deserves the award, and
• An innovation that helped it achieve a high degree of safety excellence during the year

Companies will be divided into five categories by number of hours worked, and a winner will be chosen in each category. Each winner will receive national recognition and an attractive glass award for display.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Pete Chaney at pchaney@mcaa.org or 301-990-2214.

APPLY NOW

Need a Fall Rescue Safety Program & Plan? MCAA’s New Model Can Help!

Quick rescue is paramount to keeping workers safe while they are suspended in fall arrest harnesses after falling from an elevation. Having a safety program and plan in place to address the needs of these workers is critical to minimizing suspension trauma and meeting OSHA requirements. MCAA’s model program and accompanying model plan can be tailored to address various project fall arrest system applications and ensure the safety of your company’s most important asset, its workers.

Ideally, suspended workers should be rescued within five minutes. Workers who are suspended longer may suffer from suspension trauma. This condition occurs when a worker is suspended in a harness long enough for the harness straps to negatively affect blood flow. When blood is not circulating properly, vital organs are deprived of oxygen. This can lead to loss of consciousness, permanent organ damage, and ultimately death if a worker is suspended too long.

Fall rescue plans are required by OSHA as referenced in the agency’s fall protection standard for construction.

MCAA’s model program and accompanying model plan will help you develop appropriate fall rescue plans which, when performed properly, will help limit the time that any worker is suspended in a fall arrest harness to less than five minutes.

MODEL PROGRAM & PLAN

CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidelines on When to Quarantine

The CDC recently updated its guidelines on when to quarantine following exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The new guidelines indicate that people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, excluding people who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months, should quarantine immediately. It is considered close contact when:

  • You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more;
  • You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19;
  • You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them);
  • You shared eating or drinking utensils; and/or
  • The person sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you.

People who have tested positive for COVID-19 do not need to quarantine or get tested again for up to 3 months as long as they do not develop symptoms again. People who develop symptoms again within 3 months of their first bout of COVID-19 may need to be tested again if there is no other cause identified for their symptoms.

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Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention in Construction Webinar on December 9 at 12:00 p.m. EST

MCAA and the Allied Trades Assistance Program are partnering to present this webinar addressing mental health issues in the construction industry, such as opioid addiction, suicide, depression, and anxiety. The webinar will highlight how work-related stress and anxiety have overtaken musculoskeletal disorders as the most reported workplace health issue. Mental health issues in construction can be just as dangerous as the industry’s physical hazards. And, according to the CDC, the construction industry is one of the most at-risk industries for suicides. Come join us to learn how to improve outreach, provide support, and remove the stigma associated with mental health issues to help your workers navigate this new hazard. The free webinar will be presented on December 9, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EST.

BROCHURE

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OSHA Provides New COVID-19 Guidance Regarding Workplace Ventilation

OSHA recently issued new guidance on how to use workplace ventilation systems to reduce exposures to the coronavirus, including efficiency targets for air filters and recommendations for fan use. The guidance calls for employers to install HVAC filters with minimum efficiency reporting value ratings of “13 or higher, where feasible,” and to “consider using” high-efficiency particulate air fan and filtration systems, “especially in higher-risk areas.”

It also urges several stems to increase the flow of outdoor air into indoor areas, including increasing HVAC systems’ outdoor air intake; taking steps to verify that exhaust air is not being pulled back into a building, such as by traveling through open windows or nearby intakes; ensuring exhaust fans in restrooms specifically are “fully functional, operating at maximum capacity, and are set to remain on”; and opening windows and “other sources of fresh air” when possible.

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