Resource Center

MCAA/MSCA is pleased to announce the release of a new refrigerant safety training resource for members. The resource, which includes a PowerPoint safety training presentation and accompanying notes for the instructors will help you bring your service technicians and other affected workers up to speed on the most current ASHRAE refrigerant designations and safety classifications, new and existing refrigerant safety concerns, toxicity and flammability protective measures, and much more.

It’s critically important for all mechanical service firms to have a current, sound company safety program. The program should describe the safety policies, safety procedures, and safe work practices the company is implementing to help protect its service technicians and other workers from workplace hazards. The model program, which can be easily tailored to meet specific company needs, includes everything from an initial sample safety policy statement to required safe work practices for 33 different mechanical industry-specific safety and health subjects.

MCAA believes that ergonomics should be a standard part of every company’s overall safety program. Recently MCAA partnered with The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Washington University in St. Louis, and Best Built Plans to develop and record a webinar on Creating a Contractor Ergonomics Program to Reduce Soft Tissue Injuries Among Construction Workers. The webinar is ideal for helping viewers understand the vital components of a successful ergonomics program, and why the components are so vital.

As our great nation returns to work it’s critical mechanical construction and service firms properly protect their employees and others from COVID-19. Along with the MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan, MCAA is providing several accompanying documents, including the OSHA Guidance on Returning to Work and the Critical Industries Requirements Summary.

As our great nation returns to work it’s critical mechanical construction and service firms properly protect their employees and others from COVID-19. Along with the MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan, MCAA is providing several accompanying documents, including the COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan 25-Question Multiple Choice Test and the COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan 25-Question Multiple Choice Test Answer Key.

As our great nation returns to work it’s critical mechanical construction and service firms properly protect their employees and others from COVID-19. Along with the MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan, MCAA is providing several accompanying documents, including the COVID-19 Return to Work Employee Safety Training PowerPoint and the COVID-19 Return to Work Employee Safety Training Instructor Notes.

As our great nation returns to work it’s critical mechanical construction and service firms properly protect their employees and others from COVID-19. Along with the MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan, MCAA is providing several accompanying documents, including the COVID-19 Jobsite Screening Questionnaire and the COVID-19 Company Screening Questionnaire. These two questionnaire templates are available for download and customization.

As our great nation returns to work it’s critical mechanical construction and service firms properly protect their employees and others from COVID-19. MCAA is pleased to provide a MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan. The plan is specific to the mechanical construction and service industry, and includes the COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan Checklist.

As our great nation returns to work it’s critical mechanical construction and service firms properly protect their employees and others from COVID-19. Along with the MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan, MCAA is providing several accompanying documents, including the COVID-19 Temperature and Symptom Screener Training PowerPoint and the COVID-19 Temperature and Symptom Screener Training Instructor Notes.

MCAA’s recently revised Guide to Steel and Copper Piping System Pressure Testing Safety includes information on pressure testing hazards, associated injuries, primary causes of pressure testing failures, general pressure testing safety, safe work practices for hydrostatic testing, and safe work practices for pneumatic testing. The guide also provides direction on pre-test safety planning, and sample checklists to help improve safety during your company’s hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing operations.

This planning tool helps you determine the costs associated with unplanned events, circumstances and factors that may impact the outcome, productivity and schedule of construction projects. New for 2020: a chapter highlighting the benefits of sharing native critical path method (CPM) schedule files.

This full-featured digital version of our Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide enhances the look and feel of our printed directory with digital-only benefits.

The use of BIM and related technologies and processes that leverage data from models is delivering meaningful impact to mechanical and HVAC contractors on a wide variety of measures, including cost and schedule improvements, enhanced productivity, better collaboration between stakeholders and better worker safety. This research report quantifies other benefits to users and the challenges related to leveraging BIM to increase industry understanding of which factors will most effectively drive growth and expand future use.

Improved productivity and quality are among the benefits driving interest in, and use of, prefabrication and modular construction today. This research report quantifies other benefits to users and the challenges related to each to increase industry understanding of which factors will most effectively drive growth and expand future use.

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

Protect your workers with the safe work practices in this guide. It covers the hazards associated with RF radiation exposure, the health effects posed by these hazards, and how to avoid overexposure. A checklist helps workers assess their work areas for sources of RF radiation. See the related tools for educating your workers.

Benchmark your practices and protect your workers with the information in this guide. It covers common hazards, injuries from improper line breaking operations, common causes of line breaking incidents, and general line breaking preparations. A checklist is included to help ensure that line breaking is done consistently. See the related tools for educating your workers.

The video teaches viewers how to work safely in excavations. Topics covered include: soil types and how they are impacted by weather, safe access and egress, the importance of atmospheric monitoring and what to do in case of an excavation cave-in.

This pocket guide highlights key training points from MCAA’s Excavation Safety for Mechanical Construction Safety Training Video.

This documentation sheet can be used to document who has received the training contained in MCAA’s Excavation Safety for Mechanical Construction Safety Training Video.

Verify that workers are retaining key training points from MCAA’s Excavation Safety for Mechanical Construction Safety Training Video with this test, designed to be used in conjunction with the Excavation Safety for Mechanical Construction Safety Training Test Answer Key.

Check your workers’ responses to the Excavation Safety for Mechanical Construction Training Test to ensure they’re retaining key training points.

Encourage your employees to practice sound safety procedures by establishing an effective safety incentive program. This publication offers tips from those who have developed successful programs.

Host Bob Lindbloom and co-host Rob Armistead discuss Exit Strategy Planning with Mario Vicari, business advisor to privately-held companies at Kreisher Miller. This podcast complements the Management Methods Bulletin on the same topic. Play the podcast directly from the WebBook, or listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Google Play.

This bulletin reviews the various options for transferring ownership of a company and showcases the advance planning and analysis needed for a successful transfer. Prefer to listen? Check out the podcast!

MCAA’s Guide to In-Person Safety Training explores effective techniques to help you achieve your safety training goals.

Col. Nicole Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) captivated the crowd at MSCA18 in Huntington Beach, CA, with her personal stories of how she harnessed the headwinds of change and overcame some incredible obstacles in her own life as she pursued her dream of being a Thunderbird pilot. Hitting home the importance of resurgence over resilience and not being afraid to dream big and do what it takes to make those dreams come true.

This video will be available until 12/1/2018 and requires you to log-in with your member email and password to view.

This guide will assist you in determining whether an injury or illness must be recorded and reported. It will also help you comply with applicable requirements in OSHA’s recordkeeping rule.

The video teaches viewers how to protect themselves while working with aerial lifts. Topics covered include: load capacities, inspection and function testing, what to do in case of a problem, fall prevention and protection, and safe operating procedures.

This pocket guide highlights key training points from MCAA’s Aerial Lift Safety Training Video.

This documentation sheet can be used to document who has received the training contained in MCAA’s Aerial Lift Safety Training Video.

Verify that workers are retaining key training points from MCAA’s Aerial Lift Safety Training Video with this test, designed to be used in conjunction with the Aerial Lift Safety Training Test Answer Key.

Check your workers’ responses to the Aerial Lift Safety Training Test to ensure they’re retaining key training points.

This video will help you combat unsafe driving behaviors by teaching your supervisors how to properly screen drivers, the components of effective driver training, how to monitor driver behavior, and how to ensure proper inspection and maintenance of the company’s fleet.

Why spend time gathering equipment rates when you don’t have to? This is a comprehensive, current guide to cost recovery for commonly used tools and equipment. MCAA members can now access our Tool and Equipment Rental Guide via an enhanced web portal. There you can refine your search to find what you need quickly. A list of all rates is also included. Regardless of how you view them, search results can be downloaded as either a .pdf or .csv file. The traditional PDF format is also available for download.

MCAA’s Guide to Silica Safety incorporates provisions in OSHA’s new Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard. The guide provides mechanical construction employers with the information they need to help their workers protect themselves from overexposure to respirable silica.

NFPA 70E – 2018 states that each employer shall implement and document an overall electrical safety program that directs activity appropriate to the risk associated with electrical hazards. This model program will help you develop an electrical safety program that is specific to your company’s needs.

This bulletin addresses approaches prime contractors and subcontractors may assert to recover under fixed priced contracts for the price increases resulting from new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

This ground breaking analysis of historical trends in pension plans’ key operating data will aid stakeholders and public policy makers in ensuring plans’ futures with fact-based, in-depth analysis of plan experience over ten year periods. Prepared by MCAA and Horizon Actuarial Services, LLC. Looking for information about FASB? Check here for answers to frequently asked questions.

NFPA 70E – 2018 requires employers to establish a written lockout/tagout program. And, when complex lockout/tagout is required, employers are also required to establish a written complex lockout/tagout plan that is specific to each application. This model simplifies the process, saving you time.

This bulletin provides guidance to help you set up a PM program for your fleet.

This bulletin outlines specific strategies that contractors can implement to increase their ability to retain employees as well as metrics that can be used to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives.

This bulletin reviews the advantages and disadvantages of making payments via credit card.

This video teaches viewers to identify warning signs and take appropriate action to prevent workplace violence. It also shows viewers how to protect themselves and others if they find themselves in an active workplace violence situation.

This pocket guide highlights key training points from MCAA’s Workplace Violence Prevention and Protection Safety Training Video.

This documentation sheet can be used to document who has received the training contained in MCAA’s Workplace Violence Prevention and Protection Safety Training Video.

Verify that workers are retaining key training points from MCAA’s Workplace Violence Prevention and Protection Safety Training Video with this test.

Check your workers’ responses to the Workplace Violence Prevention and Protection Safety Training Test to ensure they’re retaining key training points.

This bulletin reviews the advantages sought by direct purchasing and the hidden pitfalls that may result.

This bulletin provides an overview of the “Unit Price” basis for pricing changes. It also highlights the pitfalls a contractor can expect in the implementation of a unit price change or contract.

This bulletin provides advice, tools and information about the federal legislative process to help you be effective in presenting and discussing industry issues with your House and Senate representatives.

This bulletin highlights the need for regular promotion as a business development tool and offers tips for selecting a public relations consultant.

This bulletin can help you avoid legal and other pitfalls that may affect your business relationship with a customer that has or may file for bankruptcy.

This video walks the viewer through the most common causes of steel and copper piping system pressure testing failures, pretest walk-downs, and general safe work practices for hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing.

This documentation sheet can be used to document who has received the training contained in MCAA’s Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Safety Training Video.

This pocket guide highlights key training points from MCAA’s Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Safety Training Video.

Verify that workers are retaining key training points from MCAA’s Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Safety Training Video with this test.

Check your workers’ responses to the Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Safety Training Test to ensure they’re retaining key training points.

MCAA produced this document to assist member companies and their accountants in complying with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) disclosure requirements pertaining to an employer’s participation in multiemployer defined benefit pension plans. Questions? Please contact John McNerney.

This comprehensive, user-friendly manual was designed specifically for the mechanical service industry. Color illustrations highlight key points and enhance the reader’s ability to find information.

MCAA members can compare their business performance against industry averages for 20 key financial ratios and other data with this new report.

This report gives the pros and cons of the most applicable technology from the 2017 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) exhibit. It includes the latest in augmented reality, drones, cameras, sensors, mapping devices and scanners.

Written by JBKLabs exclusively for MCAA, this report found that most applications for safety professionals are geared towards documentation. There is a growing trend analytics on this data to identify root causes and trends. A companion webinar is also available.

This webinar offers additional insights into the MCAA Safety Apps research report written by JBKLabs exclusively for MCAA.

Our partners at JB Knowledge surveyed MSCA members on the technology practices and software needs for their service operations before comparing 16 different software solutions in this report.

Designed to assist you in developing a human resources manual for your company, this publication reflects current trends and law on human resource management.

This manual has it all! Written by contractors for contractors, this is THE definitive guide to the basics to help you keep your company running smoothly, efficiently and profitably.

This video covers mandatory respiratory protection training requirements for workers using air-purifying respirators.

MCAA has now released its third installment of the Construction Technology Research Series with a report produced by JB Knowledge Labs on BIM to Field Software, free to members.

Verify that workers are retaining key training points from MCAA’s Respiratory Protection Safety Training Video with this test, designed to be used in conjunction with the Respiratory Protection Safety Training Test Answer Key.

Verify that workers are retaining key training points from MCAA’s Respiratory Protection Safety Training Video with this answer key, designed to be used in conjunction with the Respiratory Protection Safety Training Test.

This documentation sheet can be used to document who has received the training contained in MCAA’s Respiratory Protection Safety Training Video.

This pocket guide highlights key training points from MCAA’s Respiratory Protection Safety Training Video.

This webinar explores and compares the differences in products, software and processes that contractors will see when they begin to utilize 3D scanning technology.

Technology is a challenge and an opportunity. MCAA partnered with JBK Labs to help our members keep pace by conducting independent research.

In the last of a four-part webinar series, ENERGY STAR, you will learn how to navigate the new and improved Portfolio Manager software. Recorded 9/10/13.

In the third of a four-part webinar series, ENERGY STAR, you will learn about the many ways you can generate external and internal recognition for your participation in the ENERGY STAR program. Recorded 6/19/13.

In the second of a four-part webinar series, ENERGY STAR, you will understand and feel confident about explaining the financial benefits of reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings. Recorded 4/17/16.

The first of a four-part webinar series, ENERGY STAR, highlights the importance of compiling and entering accurate data into ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager to ensure the accuracy of your energy performance score. Recorded 2/20/13.

How can the GreenSTAR advantage add value and marketing smarts to your company’s business plan? To find out, view this enlightening webinar, which will provide you with important insights on the significance of being an MSCA GreenSTAR contractor. Recorded 1/30/13.

In the fifth of the six-part webinar series, Building the Ultimate Sales Team, you will learn how to break down the barriers between divisions; develop incentives for cross-selling; train all staff on every service the company offers; and establish a cross-referral lead generation program. Recorded 10/30/12.

In the fourth of the six-part webinar series, Building the Ultimate Sales Team, you will gain a better understanding of the technician’s role in sales; the pros and cons of hiring from outside/promoting from within; learn to identify best practices for transitioning technicians from field to sales; and attain guidelines for making technicians and field incentive programs effective. Recorded 8/22/12. Recording not available due to technical difficulties.

In the third of the six-part webinar series, Building the Ultimate Sales Team, you will learn how to identify and define typical compensation terminology; understand selling behaviors and compensation theory; become familiar with different ways to pay salespeople such as salary, commission, and bonus plans; learn the differences in incentivizing projects versus maintenance; and attain a list of the Do’s and Don’ts for MSCA contractors. Recorded 6/20/12.

In the second of the six-part webinar series, Building the Ultimate Sales Team, you will learn best practices to analyze and justify the reasons for adding new sales staff; identify ways to validate a candidate’s background, experience and potential fit; plan for the new hire’s arrival; develop a 90-day performance appraisal; how to discuss unsatisfactory performance – the right way and the wrong way; and know when and how to terminate. Recorded 4/18/12.

In the first of the six-part webinar series, Building the Ultimate Sales Team, you will gain a better understanding of the required elements for an effective sales plan; how to forecast future sales; examine an actual sales plan case study; predict future revenue growth; integrate the sales plan with your compensation policies; and ensure sales plan success with proper training. Recorded 2/29/12.

In the last of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, you will learn how offering energy services can bolster your sales and help cement relationships with customers. You will also discover how to expand into plumbing service with minimal additional overhead or personnel. Plus, find out how to build a loyalty plan to secure commitment from existing customers. Recorded 12/3/14.

In the sixth of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, you will learn how to utilize existing or low-cost technology to answer customer demand for faster, more detailed information. In addition, how to make the best financial decision regarding whether to maintain or replace vehicles will be explored as well as strategies for streamlining office and overhead management. Recorded 10/22/14.

The fifth of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, will teach you how to implement a blended workforce to maximize labor resources, use the National Service & Maintenance Agreement as a tool to manage your labor force, and evaluate the profitability of an account. Recorded 9/10/14.

The fourth of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, will provide you with the skills you need to measure labor productivity and understand the value of labor mix and indirect burdens. You will learn the importance of engaging your entire service organization in understanding non-billable time and productivity. You will also discover how to get rid of timesheets to simplify your paperwork system and increase the profitability of your business. Recorded 5/21/14.

In the third of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, you will learn how to utilize scorecards to incentivize and motivate employees. Tips will also be revealed for instituting and communicating a clear, simple commission plan to motivate employees to increase sales. Hiring and termination recommendations will be reviewed. Recorded 4/9/14.

In the second of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, you will learn how to continually create an enjoyable customer experience to ensure a positive perception of your company and potential repeat business. You will also gain a better understanding of your customer relationships and reputation and how to best leverage those relationships. Recorded 2/26/14.

In the first of the seven-part webinar series, The Path to Higher Margins Is Not Business as Usual, you will learn the importance of good leadership to inspire employees, and taking risks and thinking strategically about the long-term goals of your company. You will also discover how to create a culture of accountability and optimism, and to communicate a clear and strategic vision. Recorded 1/29/14.

What separates the “good” team members from the “great” ones? What is it about that “star player” that makes him or her not just effective, but someone you want to retain as long as possible? In the last of the six-part “The TEAM Thing” webinar series, Steve Thomas discusses what some of those “great” qualities are, and what separates them from the “good.” He also recaps all six sessions to illustrate how all the concepts work together to form an effective team. Recorded 12/2/15.

In the fifth of the six-part “The TEAM Thing” webinar series, Steve Thomas does a deep dive into specific characteristics of effective teams that you can develop as a leader to make your team more effective. With so much information to share on this topic, this is a two-part session. Recorded 11/11/15.

In the fourth of the six-part “The TEAM Thing” webinar series, Steve Thomas discusses the make-up of a solid team foundation and how to achieve it from the ground up as well as how to rebuild it. Recorded 9/2/15.

In the third of the six-part “The TEAM Thing” webinar series, Steve Thomas reveals the four kinds of team players that come to work and how to clearly define what an effective team player looks like for your team. Recorded 6/3/15.

In the second of the six-part “The TEAM Thing” webinar series, Steve Thomas discusses what it means to be a “follow-able” leader; the four main qualities that people look for in a leader that also determine whether they will follow him or her; and practical applications. Recorded 4/1/15.

In the first of the six-part “The TEAM Thing” webinar series, Steve Thomas focuses on the desire of every leader to build a “team” within their organization, teaching what it truly is (and isn’t), and how to embody it as a team player and a leader. Recorded 2/11/15.

This series of safety talks deliver basic information about the most common hazards mechanical service contractors face on the job and how to avoid them.

SDS BinderWorks, MCAA’s preferred safety data sheet service, helps reduce costs and time associated with SDS-related efforts, and it keeps the compliance process simple and convenient. It offers GHS-compliant SDSs online with flexible delivery options in digital and hardcopy formats. To establish service or learn more, contact SDS BinderWorks, Inc. at 877-433-7774 or via email. MCAA and MSCA members save 5 percent on any subscription plan.

OPUS allows the user to make dynamic combinations of pipe types, materials, applications and joinings. This free resource was developed by a task group of MCAA contractors and Manufacturer/Supplier Council members for those who are new to the industry, but all MCAA members are encouraged to use the system.

Find practical management techniques in straightforward language in this manual designed for employees who are not IT specialists and for IT professionals with little or no experience in mechanical construction.

This module will help the members of your service team understand how they fit into the team. It includes an overview of the equipment and functions, the types of buildings and facilities where technicians work, and the typical members of a service team.

This checklist can be easily customized to help keep you organized and on track when you perform safety inspections.

This bulletin explains how provisions that impose fines or penalties for subcontractors’ safety violations could impact a subcontractor and how best to avoid them.

This module provides an overview of industry terminology and slang in order to enable your service team to better relate to vendors and suppliers. It also offers an overview of major equipment, systems, tools and materials.

This module provides your service technicians with a basic knowledge of the underlying science of HVACR systems to enable them to become more effective in providing service for HVACR systems.

This module explains the the components of a basic refrigeration cycle and identifies the types equipment that are most often encountered in residential and small business applications. It also helps the user to understand the purpose of equipment efficiency ratings such as SEER and Energy Star.

This module provides an overview of the equipment, concepts and operation of large tonnage systems. It also highlights HVACR refrigerant types, regulations and special handling procedures to help your team recognize the most common issues or questions that HVACR businesses encounter when dealing with large tonnage systems.

This module provides a background in the role of air distribution and ventilation in occupant comfort to help service teams understand the most common issues or questions that HVACR businesses encounter when dealing with airflow and ventilation systems.

The module reviews the practical application of many of the concepts discussed in earlier modules via examples of HVACR installations in several market segments.

This module reviews important support components for HVACR systems and the operation and importance of different types of controls in improving HVACR system efficiency and operation. It will also highlight common issues that HVACR businesses encounter when dealing with HVACR support components.

This module reviews the types of heating systems widely used in HVACR applications. On completion, you will be able to explain fundamental principles behind all heating systems,
recognize different fuel types used for heating and the characteristics important in selecting and working with fuels, identify various heating methods encountered while servicing HVACR systems, differentiate between the types of boilers used in residential and commercial heating installations, explain alternatives to conventional heating systems, along with benefits and tradeoffs for different geographic areas or building types and recognize the most common issues or questions HVACR businesses encounter when dealing with heating systems.

The module highlights the importance of effective customer service including keys to exceeding customer expectations.

Labor and employment law experts Michael Boldt and Ryan Poor cover essential collective bargaining details in plain English. Appendices cover construction site strikes, picketing and boycotts; equal employment opportunity and affirmative action; and preventing harrassment.

Keep your data private after an IT breach. Three types of cyber threats have been on the rise in business; each requires your leadership skills to help your company avoid them or emerge unscathed. Find out what you can do as an executive to protect your company if your website is hacked and defaced, if your files are held for ransom or if your Data Center goes offline with no estimate for restoration.

This manual covers all aspects of mechanical industry project management, including key topics like managing change orders and claims, job cost and labor control, productivity, scheduling, safety and much more.

In the last of the six-part webinar series, Building the Ultimate Sales Team, you will learn how to analyze the status of your company’s sales culture, identify characteristics of a great leader, tell the difference between leadership vs. management and develop a personal action plan. Recorded 12/05/12.