Archives: News Items

Nominate a Next Gen All-Star for the Plumbing & Mechanical Magazine’s Top 20 Under 40 Contest

We all know the plumbing industry is aging, much like our water infrastructure. The average estimated age of a master plumber is 58 years old. However, there are many young professionals entering the industry to make a difference. Plumbing & Mechanical would like to highlight these Next Generation All-Stars in their Top 20 Under 40 Contest. They will be spotlighting the young professionals that are driving the industry into the future.

How do you nominate someone?

Please fill out the questionnaire to nominate a deserving individual. All winners will be profiled in upcoming editions of Plumbing & Mechanical, PM Engineer and Supply House Times. The deadline to submit nominations is June 30.

NOMINATE NOW

Who can be nominated?

Any professional working in any aspect of the plumbing industry, including plumbers and pipefitters, contracting business owners, professional engineers and plumbing designers, wholesalers, manufacturers and manufacturers reps.

Questions? Please contact Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke at krawcken@bnpmedia.com.

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Wheatland Tube in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Morris Group International
Lose the unpleasant “sewer gas” smell with the Smith Quad Close® “Stink Stopper” Trap Seal. This fixture closes to minimize trap seal evaporation in floor #drains and opens when #drainage is needed.

Learn More

Wheatland Tube
Now ASTM A53, Grade B certified, SureThread™ continuous weld standard pipe offers exceptional strength and ductility for better threading, bending and cutting in steam, water, gas and air lines.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

There is Still Time to Recognize Your Hero! 

There are unsung heroes among us who use their time, gifts, and generosity to propel their communities forward. They do the things that are truly needed out of the kindness of their hearts and with a passion for making a difference. Whether it is helping the needy, aiding the elderly, volunteering for a charitable organization, or fostering children, they are truly heroes in every sense of the word.

MSCA’s Everyday Hero Award has become a favorite recognition award for employees, peers, employers, and the community. Who do you know who has stepped up and propelled their community into a better place?

Submit your nomination by completing the brief survey below. MSCA will recognize them onstage at the MSCA23 Conference Propel this October 22-25, 2023 in Marco Island, Florida, as well as make a very generous donation to the winner’s charity of choice. Help us honor these generous and caring individuals today by nominating them for the MSCA Everyday Hero Award. Every year we have wonderful nominees, so if you have nominated someone before and they haven’t won, you can always nominate them again.

Nominations due by July 14, 2023.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY

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

Registration is Now Open for MCAA’s Collective Bargaining & the UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference

We are very pleased to announce that registration is now open for MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Conference and the UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference this September! Through the registration process, you will have the ability to register for both conferences at once, or select an individual conference. After your conference registration is complete, you will be directed to make your own hotel reservations based on your particular travel arrangements.

Collective Bargaining Conference –

September 25-27, 2023
The Mirage, Las Vegas, NV

Suggested Attendees: Affiliate Directors, Bargaining Committee & Contractors welcome

Registration Rate: $495/member

This workshop is designed to highlight MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Guide. Attendees will learn negotiating techniques and constructive approaches that will improve workforce performance along with contractor and industry competitiveness. The workshop will help members and local association executives improve their understanding of the bargaining process to assist in preparing properly for negotiations and to make bargaining a constructive event for management and labor.

REGISTER

UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference –

September 27 & 28, 2023
The Mirage, Las Vegas, NV

Suggested Attendees: Affiliated Association Executives and Leadership welcome

Registration Rate: Complimentary

The conference, jointly hosted by the United Association (UA) and MCAA, will feature networking opportunities, panel discussions focused on topics such as the current need for manpower, organizing, workforce develop, and other topics that involve our UA/MCAA partnership. This is a great opportunity for local labor/management teams to attend and develop strategies to help protect our industry.

REGISTER

Check Out the Line Up for MCAA’s 2023 WiMI Conference

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN at the Grand Hyatt and is packed with opportunities to learn, grow and discover all that you are capable of and what this industry has to offer.

Keynote Sessions

Our industry’s own, Kathy Crosby will use the personal DISC assessment tool to help attendees uncover valuable information about themselves and others. 

Best selling author, Diana Kander will show us how we can level up our simple questions to get significantly better results and drive innovation in the opening keynote presentation; Unleash Your Curiosity.  

In our Closing General Session, Be Who You Came to Be, through personal experience, stories, and research, Tara Renze, author and thought leader, will walk her audience through a three-step process to “be who they came to be”.

Education Sessions

In the Women & Mental Health in Construction session, Sally Spencer-Thomas, Co-Founder & President, United Suicide Survivors International, will dive into why mental health matters for women in construction, why leaders need to attend to risk factors and environmental drivers, and what action steps they can take.

John Koontz, MCAA Director for Project Management Education and Kathryn Crosby, Owner and Founder of C2 Consulting, Inc, have seen hundreds of success stories in this industry, and they will share the traits they all have in common in the Quality, Traits and Characteristics of Successful People in Our Industry session.

Colene Rogers, speaker and Executive Coach, will lead the session, Change the Conversation. Change the Culture, and provide practical tips to help attendees have conversations that address differences of opinion to resolve issues; what Colene calls Tough Talks.

Industry Panels

Keynote speaker, Diana Kander, will moderate an interactive discussion with some of our WiMI Committee members on lessons learned and keys to being successful in our industry.

Discover Your Allies, will be moderated by UA’s Special Representative for Training and Outreach, Laura Ceja and feature Ray Boyd, UA’s Director ‑ Education and Training, Bill Tavenner, Vice President of Sales at Ferguson Enterprises, Tom Bello, Executive Vice President of Mechanical Contractors Association of Metropolitan Washington and MCAA’s Director of Project Management Education, John Koontz. The panel will discuss how men can be allies and support the growth of women in our industry.

Additional Opportunities for Development & Networking

We have two sessions of roundtable discussions that will cover a variety of industry and growth-related topics led by WiMI committee members. Our evening receptions will provide additional time for networking and connecting with peers.

Check out the full line up of this year’s conference. Hotel rooms are filling up fast, so register today and lock in the group rate by May 14!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Parker Hannifin in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Morris Group International
Learn how vacuum plumbing can assist design professionals in addressing the need for a healthy, safe, and sustainable building design.

Learn More

Parker Hannifin
ZoomLock® MAX, Press-To-Connect Refrigerant Fittings is the next step in ZoomLock’s evolution. ZoomLock MAX fittings provide better overall value than the original ZoomLock for today’s contractor.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

DISCover Your Professional Style at MCAA’s 2023 WiMI Conference

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference kicks off on Monday, June 12th with our Opening General Session – DISCover You. In this session led by Kathryn Crosby, attendees will complete a “style analysis” profile to produce a graph of the behavior and personality tendencies for each letter designation used in the popular DISC system specific to the attendee. Attendees will uncover valuable information about themselves and others, including why some relationships work and some don’t, along with why it is essential to adapt. Crosby will also reveal your “secret weapon “and how to use it.

Kathryn Crosby has more than 30 years experience in the construction business. While serving as Vice President and CFO for a mechanical contractor she was elected to the MCAA Board of Directors, nominated as chair for MCAA’s Project Management Education Committee, was active in the AGC, and served on the faculty of the MCAA’s highly acclaimed Institute for Project Management (IPM). Today, as owner and founder of C2 Consulting, Inc, Kathryn continues her dedication and love for the construction industry doing seminars and training throughout the U.S. and Canada. She currently serves on the faculty of IPM, Construction Education Institute, MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) and the UA’s Instructor Training Program. Kathryn has developed custom training programs for several trade organization and construction companies including the UA and Asbestos Workers.

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN. See you there!

Learn More About WiMI23 & Register

Find the Latest from Viega and McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc. in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Viega
Pressed for time? No Sweat. ProPress copper fittings make secure, flameless connections in 7 seconds or less. Approved for more applications than any other copper press fitting system, it’s what the pros use.

Learn More

McGuire Manufacturing Co., Inc.
McGuire is proud to announce the addition of the BV2Press stop valve to their Convertible II Ball Valve series. Designed to save labor cost and manufactured to McGuire’s high-quality standards.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

Curtis Harbour Tapped to Lead Brandt’s Labor Relations Efforts

Curtis Harbour has been named Brandt, a Southland Industries Company’s Vice President of Labor Relations. Curtis, who became MCAA’s Vice President/Assistant Treasurer at MCAA23, will transition to his new role effective June 1, 2023, eventually expanding that role to the enterprise level.

Curtis has played a significant role in building Brandt’s business in all the company’s markets. He was instrumental in the company’s recent conversion to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

His long-time connections with national trade associations and labor unions make him well-suited for this role. As Vice President of Labor Relations, Curtis will make sure that Brandt has consistent coverage and representation with all their local labor unions and their respective contractors (e.g., MCAA, NECA, etc.). He will also oversee the management and organization of all the labor contracts and renewal timeframes.

As Curtis transitions to his new role, Brian Walsh will step into his current role of Senior Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Houston, TX, region.

Since joining Brandt in 2011, Brian has significantly impacted the development of Brandt’s North Texas Industrial business, both from an operational and preconstruction perspective. He is well-positioned to continue to develop the company’s presence in Houston and grow their project business in the local market, especially with Life Science and Industrial clients.

MCAA congratulates Curtis and Brian on their new roles and wishes them both continued success.

Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump Turns Emergency Replacement Into No-Cost Upgrade With Delta Cooling Towers

By installing antimicrobial cooling towers from Delta Cooling, Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump helped a rural Kentucky school district qualify for a federal grant to replace a failed tower and another nearing the end of its life. The units solved the two biggest issues the school district was facing: budget constraints and the need for durable solutions.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Temporary Usage of HVAC Equipment

The use of permanent HVAC systems to provide temporary heat during construction introduces the possibility of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues down the line. MCAA’s Temporary Usage of HVAC Equipment explains why temporary heating, cooling and dehumidification equipment specifically designed for use during construction is preferable. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin explains:

  • Indoor air quality (IAQ) guidelines and issues
  • LEED considerations
  • Impacts on the mechanical contractor
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

WiMI-KC Featured in P1 Group, Inc. Newsletter

A recent MCA of Kansas City WiMI Committee (WiMI-KC) event inspired Tiffany Oldham, a digital media specialist with P1 Group, Inc., to write an article for her company’s newsletter. Learn more about the event and how WiMI-KC is engaging, empowering, inspiring and mentoring women in Kansas City’s mechanical industry.

There are Heroes Among Us – Recognize Yours Today! 

There are unsung heroes among us who use their time, gifts, and generosity to propel their communities forward. They do the things that are truly needed out of the kindness of their hearts and with a passion for making a difference. Whether it is helping the needy, aiding the elderly, volunteering for a charitable organization, or fostering children, they are truly heroes in every sense of the word.

With a tradition that started in 2014 MSCA wants to honor our very own everyday hero and we need your help! MSCA’s Everyday Hero Award has become a favorite recognition award for employees, peers, employers, and the community. Who do you know who has stepped up and propelled their community into a better place?

Submit your nomination by completing the brief survey below. MSCA will recognize them onstage at the MSCA23 Conference Propel this October 22-25, 2023 in Marco Island, Florida, as well as make a very generous donation to the winner’s charity of choice. Help us honor these generous and caring individuals today by nominating them for the MSCA Everyday Hero Award. Every year we have wonderful nominees, so if you have nominated someone before and they haven’t won, you can always nominate them again.

Nominations due by July 14, 2023.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TODAY

GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan Joins Speaker Lineup for the 2023 CEA National Issues Conference

Learn about federal procurement policy directly from U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Administrator Robin Carnahan during the 2023 CEA National Issues Conference. If you want to stay informed and involved in the legislative and regulatory policy issues that impact your business, you can’t afford to miss this conference! Join us May 2-4 in Washington, D.C. to hear about U.S. Department of Labor regulations from Jessica Looman, Wage and Hour Division Principal Deputy Administrator. Get the latest on federal construction procurement rules from Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly. And learn about new pension and healthcare plan regulations from Mariah Becker of the NCCMP. Only a few spots remain. Register today!