All webinars will be recorded and made available to those who are unable to join live. The recorded versions will be made available shortly after each live webinar concludes.
Webinar #31: What to Expect from OSHA in the New Administration – Adele Abrams
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. EDT
Prepare for OSHA’s coming regulatory and enforcement agendas by participating in this 60-minute webinar for mechanical construction and service companies. Our presenter is nationally recognized safety and health expert and attorney Adele Abrams. She is a frequent presenter for MCAA with expertise in legal, occupational safety/health issues, employment law, and mine safety. Adele is also co-author of several books related to occupational safety and health, construction, employment law, and mining. The webinar will be presented on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT.
PREVIOUS WEBINARS
Webinar #1: Safely Working Remote – Nick Espinosa
As COVID-19 is forcing companies around the world to change the way business is conducted, MCAA members need to prepare their businesses and be ready to operate differently. To help our members adapt their business operations and prepare for this rapidly evolving situation, MCAA will be hosting a series of quick-hitting webinars in the coming weeks! MCAA’s cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa provides an extensive presentation on ways to work remotely while protecting your company’s data. He discusses best practices for working offsite, including setting up a virtual private network (VPN) and making sure that a standard set of best practices are in place to protect your company’s digital assets.
Webinar #2: Continuity of Business Operations for Trade Contractors – Jeff Sample
Many organizations are struggling to handle the deluge of information during this troubling time. Knowledge is power, but deciding to act is a critical component for the survival of your business. Making business decisions and having a clear line of communication is crucial to keeping remote teams informed. The technology available for contractors of all sizes creates an opportunity to facilitate communication and maintain steady work where appropriate. Learn about the tools available through your current platform and others being offered by technology companies free of charge to adapt to working remotely. In this time of crisis, leadership from all levels is critical. Jeff Sample, Director of Strategic Accounts for eSUB and ConTech Crew Co-host provides an enlightening and open discussion.
Webinar #3: Shifting Work from the Jobsite – Jonathan Marsh, James Benham, Sean McGuire and Josh Bone
The COVID-19 crisis is forcing contractors to perform work in challenging new ways. This webinar focuses on two scenarios that will become more likely in the weeks ahead – forced remote work with no job site activity and one in which job sites might be shut down and fabrication facilities remain open. We discuss how to prepare staff to work remotely, what work can be prioritized to be done remotely and how to utilize fabrication space safely to keep projects progressing. This panel includes Jonathan Marsh, MEP Innovation Lab; James Benham, CEO of JBKnowledge; Sean McGuire, MCAA Director of Innovative Technologies; and Josh Bone, Director of Industry Innovation at NECA.
Webinar #4: Guidelines for COVID-19 to Help Protect Mechanical Industry Workers – Scott Hamilton
The UA, MCAA, ASSE and IAPMO have joined forces to bring our collective memberships information to be able to understand the risks of COVID-19 and show you the best ways to help prevent the spreading the virus among our pipefitters, plumbers, service technicians, sprinklerfitters, steamfitters and apprentices. Evaluating the exposures, understanding the risks and learning the most appropriate protective measures will help prepare you to establish an effective plan. Plumbers Local 75 member, Senior Director at IAPMO and ASSE, Scott Hamilton, describes the best-known safe work practices for helping mechanical industry workers avoid exposure to COVID-19.
Webinar #5: Implementing Paid Leave Requirements Under the New FFCRA – Michael P. Kreps and Katie Bjornstad Amin
The new Family First Coronavirus Response Act took effect April 1, 2020 and with it comes temporary requirements that will impact MCAA member companies who employ 500 or fewer employees. Katie Amin and Michael Kreps, both principals of Groom Law Group, along with John McNerney, MCAA general counsel, discuss which employers must adhere and who is eligible under the new act currently set to expire December 31, 2020.
Webinar #6: HVACR/Plumbing Best Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic
A panel of leading contractors discuss important strategies to help companies deal with the current coronavirus situation. Panelists discuss the role of HVACR/plumbing companies as essential services, crucial safety issues, impact on customers, the financial realities and a number of technical recommendations for mechanical/plumbing systems.
Webinar #7: The Effects of COVID-19 on Construction Contracts – Notice, Contract Clauses, Schedule and Productivity Impacts – Paul Stynchcomb, William Ibbs and Douglas L. Patin
Panelists Paul Stynchcomb, CCM, PSP, CFCC, of The Ibbs Consulting Group, Professor William Ibbs, Ph.D. of The Ibbs Consulting Group and Douglas L. Patin, a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, a national construction law firm that serves mechanical trades, discuss ways to maneuver through contract clauses and analyses of various impacts that may arise due to COVID-19. The panel discusses pandemic-related subjects of contractual rights and remedies, force majeure clauses, proper and timely notice, applicable case law, impacts to the procurement chain, schedule impact analyses and potential adverse effects of the pandemic on labor productivity caused by crew disruption, absenteeism, materials and equipment unavailability and other potential effects of the pandemic.
Webinar #8: COVID-19 OSHA Enforcement Preparation – Adele Abrams
As positive cases of COVID-19 increase around the nation there is speculation that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will increase its enforcement efforts. The agency will want to ensure that employers are making a good faith effort to help protect their workers from contracting the virus. California, which is an OSHA state-plan-state, has already started COVID-19 related enforcement actions. OSHA does not have a regulation or standard for COVID-19. However, the agency can cite and fine employers using the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970’s general duty clause, and several other generic regulations and standards. The webinar presenter is occupational safety and health attorney, and long-time MCAA friend, Adele Abrams. Adele discusses what’s anticipated, and how to prepare for it, along with the OSHA record-keeping issue involving COVID-19 cases.
Webinar #9: COVID-19 Selling in Turbulent Times – Jim Bartolotta, Dave Bavisotto, Jaimi Lomas and Wayne Turchetta
These uncertain times have forced many companies to focus internally and hunker down. But this is the perfect time to go on the offense and embrace creativity and innovation. A panel of past MSCA board members and service contractors lead an informative session on refocusing your service sales priorities and implementing unique and proactive sales strategies. As your business continues to face tension between generating sales during a period of extreme economic hardship and respecting the threats to life and livelihood that have altered consumer priorities, you now have a unique opportunity to re-educate your customers and reinvent your offerings.
Webinar #10: Project Management Tools for Remote Work – Travis Voss and Doug Smith
Although most construction work has been deemed essential, project managers are not allowed to visit or inspect job sites. MCAA Director of Innovative Technologies, Sean McGuire, moderates a discussion while reviewing several tools that project managers are using to help maintain efficiency while working remotely. Travis Voss, leader of Innovative Technologies at Mechanical Inc, shares how they are using solutions like Cupix and Structionsite to digitally capture active job sites, and tools like Dado to ingest all their project data and find information faster. Doug Smith, Corporate BIM Manager at DSI, shares how they are using OpenSpace to digitally capture active job sites, and solutions like Autodesk BIM 360 and Microsoft Teams to review project information and collaborate from multiple locations.
Webinar #11: Future Planning for the Service Industry Virtual Roundtable – Michael Rosone, Mike McHenry, Mike Star, Rich Happel, David Geith, Pete Chaney
Business as usual is not a phrase we are likely to hear again any time soon – if ever. HVACR and plumbing service contractors need to prepare now in order to remain viable and successful moving forward. Contractors will need to understand their customer’s new concerns and challenges as well as your changing role in ensuring the safe and proper operations of their facilities’ systems. A panel of MSCA leaders led an open and enlightening discussion on the “new normal” and how best to prepare your service company for the unchartered road ahead. Hear about unique strategies and forward-thinking ideas that are being implemented now as these leaders share their expertise and knowledge.
Webinar #12: Strategies to Improve Your Business Cash Flow – Kathy Crosby
Cash is the lifeblood of any business. In good times, cash management may slip to the back burner, but with the current pandemic and companies delaying payments, now is not the time to be casual about your money. NEI and UA training instructor, Kathy Crosby, discusses how to keep delayed payments from getting out of control, protecting your rights, and how to measure your company’s cash flow in order to better manage it. You will learn about leveraging relationships with vendors, subcontractors, banks and sureties, as well as how to reduce the risk of delayed cash when it comes to retention, change orders, T&M work and billing issues.
Webinar #13: What Keeps You Up at Night: How We Are Running Operations During COVID-19 – John Koontz, Mark Rogers, Greg Fuller
MCAA presents an interactive roundtable session, hosted by John Koontz (MCAA Director of Project Management), to explore best practices for dealing with operational issues in these unprecedented times. Panelists Mark Rogers (COO, West Chester Mechanical Contractors) and Greg Fuller (CEO, North Mechanical) leverage their combined expertise to address current industry challenges. Greg, Mark, and John have first-hand experience in everything from the field to the office to the executive suite. They provide insights based on decades of experience in the mechanical industry, tailored to specific issues that you are currently facing.
Webinar #14: Navigating Uncertain Times with Radical Self-Care – Beverly Holcomb & Sarah Pozdol
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to reevaluate so much of our lives and what is TRULY important to us. It is imperative that all of us focus on our own personal health and well-being. And contrary to how we might feel – we are NOT powerless. The more proactive we act individually – and collectively – the more empowered we become. In the webinar with SATAURA; co-founders Beverly Holcomb & Sarah Pozdol, they provide simple strategies on how to nourish and support, not only your mental and emotional health; but also provide practical tools and guidelines that will help you strike a healthy “work-life-home-health” balance. By providing tools for mental and emotional resilience, work-life strategies, REAL whole foods, restorative sleep, moving our bodies, and staying connected to nature and our loved ones – we can invoke deep reservoirs of balance, health and healing. This wellness webinar is sponsored by Women in the Mechanical Industry.
Webinar #15: Identify and Reduce Social Engineering Attacks – Paul Gouge and Terry Smith
Cybercriminals often take advantage of significant current events to increase activity. The entire world is experiencing such an event and cybercriminals have found more opportunities. The sudden increase in teleworking expands the target for bad guys to strike. This course explores social engineering attacks. These attacks include email phishing, phone scams, and text smishing. This presentation addresses the user’s online behavior to:
- Recognize social engineering manipulative techniques that trick victims
- Become aware of available controls and commit to implement them
- Provide an overview of the cybersecurity landscape within the construction industry
Webinar #16: Calculating Impacts: How to Apply the Measured Mile Method – John Koontz
The past few months have introduced us all to a whole new set of issues impacting productivity. From additional safety and screening requirements to distancing protocols, COVID-19 is causing real and often dramatic productivity losses on the jobsite. In this webinar, MCAA Project Management educator John Koontz will walk you through The Measured Mile Method of productivity analysis. The Measured Mile is an established method for identifying productivity loss. Using it can not only assist you in adjusting workflow to limit loss, but can also provide clear metrics for documentation and potential cost recovery. In the first of four webinars covering content found in the MCAA’s newly updated Change Order Productivity Overtime manual, John will cover labor cost system best practices that allow you to use the measured mile system of productivity analysis.
Webinar #17: Legal Issues Concerning COVID-19 Employee Screening – Brad Hammock
Returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic will require many employers to screen their workers regularly, including taking body temperatures. Ideally, all employers would hire 3rd party companies to perform the screening. However, there will not be enough qualified 3rd party companies to go around. Since body temperature screening involves complicated legal issues the screenings must be performed consistently, professionally, and with proper training for those performing the screening. Long-time MCAA friend and attorney, Brad Hammock, from Littler law firm walks employers through the legal traps and make recommendations for properly navigating employee COVID-19 screenings.
Webinar #18: Learn How to Influence Your Workers to Willingly COMPLY with COVID-19 Protections – Sharon Lipinski
The Coronavirus is asking employers and employees to make unprecedented and rapid changes to their behavior in order to prevent the spread of disease and the closing of their facilities. The good news is that 71% of employees have confidence that their employers can bring them back to work safely. But 58% say that hinges on the availability of protective equipment like masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer. What happens if some of your employees are not consistently using these protective devices? When 54% of U.S. employees say they are worried about exposure to COVID-19 at their job, it can mean constant complaints, employees refusing to work, and lawsuits about the company risking their employees’ health. You need a way to quickly and effectively influence your employees’ behavior. Join Sharon Lipinski, CEO of Habit Mastery Consulting, on what you can do when employees ignore or push back on the company’s Coronavirus safety procedures. She shares the 6 reasons employees fight these types of guidelines, 3 tactics that make the situation worse, and 3 steps you can take to get employees to want to follow your guidelines. You’ll leave this presentation with insights and strategies that work for influencing your employees’ behavior— not just in following Coronavirus safety procedures, but in other areas, too.
Webinar #19: Estimating Labor Impacts: How to Use The MCAA Factors – John Koontz
The MCAA’s “Factors Affecting Labor Productivity” can be an invaluable tool when attempting to prove labor productivity loss, a process that has always been one of the most difficult aspects of change management. John Koontz explores how to practically apply the MCAA factors to estimate and price losses of labor productivity. He discusses the dos and don’ts of applying these factors, bridging the gap between theoretical percentages and actual jobsite impacts. When used correctly, the MCAA factors can be an invaluable resource in both forward pricing change orders and retroactively determining cumulative impacts. This webinar explores best practices for making these factors work for you, helping you to account for additional labor costs resulting from the scope changes and disruption of workflow that occur on jobs far more often than we might like.
Webinar #20: Virtual Communication Skills – Mark Matteson
Now more than ever, with apps and software connecting employees worldwide, the need for virtual communication skills is crucial. Video calls and virtual meetings are the new “normal” and likely take up most of your day. But are you getting the most out of your meetings? Are you getting distracted? Have you dusted off your nonverbal communication skills? Join us for some basics on effective virtual communication – getting started, some do’s and don’ts, and helpful tools. As we’ve all adjusted to this new world, virtual meetings have proven to be effective. Speaker and author Mark Matteson gives an interactive and tailored presentation, just for MCAA members.
Webinar #21: COVID-19 Cleaning & Disinfecting Tools – Raffi Elchemmas
Milwaukee Tool will lead a health & safety conversation on tool cleaning and disinfecting for your tools to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This presentation will discuss tool sharing protocols, length of virus stability, EPAs List N, and how to properly disinfect tools, batteries, and gear. Raffi Elchemmas, AEP, CHST, is a subject matter expert in construction health & safety. He is an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer with board certification in professional ergonomics.
Webinar #22: How to Estimate the Impacts of Overtime on Labor Productivity – John Koontz
People are not machines. Running an engine for 16 hours will result in twice the output achieved by running it for 8 hours… but the same math does not apply to our workforce. It is a well-known fact that working longer hours each day, and more days per week, results in reduced worker productivity. However, while it is easy to calculate the difference between overtime premiums and straight time labor costs on a spreadsheet, calculating the real costs of productivity impacts caused by extended periods of overtime work is less clear-cut. So how do we explain, estimate, and account for this lost productivity? In this webinar, John Koontz explains the three types of overtime typically found in construction and talks about the three universally accepted methods of calculating overtime impact costs. Most importantly, he covers the preferred and most effective method of OT impact calculation, which incorporates all three methods. We can’t always avoid overtime, and we certainly can’t avoid the productivity impacts that result from working extended hours – but we can learn to use the information contained in the 2020 Edition of the MCAA Change Orders-Productivity-Overtime Primer to make a solid case for recouping impact costs associated with working overtime.
Webinar #23: The Importance of Obtaining the Prime Contractor’s Native CPM Scheduling Files – John Koontz
The Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule is an essential management tool for all construction team members when it comes to completing an on-time and financially successful project. John Koontz discusses how, even in the absence of receiving access to the master schedule, a contractor can provide notice and quantify delay impacts, so as not to waive important contractual rights. Providing notice and quantifying delay are just some of the issues that make obtaining the prime contractor’s native CPM scheduling files so important. Is it always easy? Or even possible? Maybe not… but John Koontz discusses best practices for how to get the GC’s CPM schedule, and even what to do if you can’t. As an added bonus, John is joined by the author of MCAA’s 2020 Change Order Productivity Primer, Paul Stynchcomb, to discuss the relationship between the Prime’s CPM Schedule and impact quantification on your end, along with important concepts relating to CPM schedule review.
Webinar #24: Permanent Tech Solutions from the Pandemic – Tauhira Ali & Sean McGuire
As the old proverb goes, Necessity is the Mother of Invention. The COVID-19 crisis has forced contractors to fundamentally change the way they operate. Innovative solutions have been rapidly adopted to meet the needs of limited job sites, distributed workforce and enhanced safety demands. Some quick fixes have crashed and burned or been discarded quickly for better solutions. However, some practices, software and tools have met with success and become a permanent part of operations. In this webinar, MCAA’s Director of Innovative Technologies, Sean McGuire will co-host the presentation with Milwaukee Tool’s Group Manager of Construction Technology, Tauhira Ali to cover some of the best ideas while trying to forget the worst.
Webinar #25: Harassment & Respect in the Workplace – Jon Landesman & Dan Fierstein
All contractors must know how to respond to harassment allegations and how to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all employees. In this fast-paced and interactive webinar, Cohen Seglias Labor & Employment co-chair Jonathan Landesman shares advice on handling harassment issues in the workplace utilizing real-life examples. Landesman also reviews how to encourage and enforce appropriate workplace culture, establish a confidential, multichannel complaint procedure, and respond to and investigate complaints. Jon is joined by his colleague, Dan Fierstein, who is an associate in the Cohen Seglias Construction practice group.
Webinar #26: Using the MCAA’s Publication to Quantify CV-19 Loss of Labor Productivity on Your Project – Paul Stynchcomb, William Ibbs and John McNerney
There is no question the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the construction and service jobsite productivity. In this expanded webinar John McNerney, Paul Stynchcomb, CCM, PSP, CFCC and Professor William Ibbs, Ph.D. of The Ibbs Consulting Group discuss MCAA’s newly updated Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime manual, and how to use the manual to quantify a loss of productivity (LoP) impact caused by COVID-19. Being one of the most difficult processes, our panelists will guide you through the nuts and bolts of how to craft an LoP claim and the need for construction counsel to review contracts, government guidelines and current regulations. This webinar explores the project-specific LoP quantification methods and reviews which of the MCAA Factor categories are potentially applicable to the COVID-19 LoP impacts.
Webinar #27: The Latest Research Impacting Workplace Re-Occupancy Planning – Steve Horwood & Luke Leung
Watch this informative webinar for the most up-to-date information on managing your business and customer expectations in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Learn about the latest research on the airborne transmission of COVID-19 through air conditioning systems and prioritization of different strategies as explained by ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Luke Leung, LEED Fellow, Team leader of “Commercial Building” for ASHRAE COVID19 task force and upcoming Vice Chair of the Environmental Health Committee. Luke is joined by MSCA member, Steve Horwood, VP of Business Development for GDI/Ainsworth, author of the comprehensive publication, “Building Systems: Workplace Re-Occupancy Planning,” which will be provided to all webinar attendees. Steve helps you understand how this new research can help you advise and guide customers as they continue to reopen their facilities and strive to maintain a safe and productive environment.
Webinar #28: What Are Your Legal Rights to Recover for COVID-19 Delay and Impacts? – Adrian Bastianelli, III, Esq. & Mark R. Berry
Leading construction contract experts from the national law firm of Peckar & Abramson, Adrian Bastianelli, III, Esq. and Mark R. Berry, analyze the key private and public construction contract terms and conditions that govern contractor entitlement to COVID-19 project delay and impact. They discuss the added cost requests for equitable adjustment and claim for time and money.
Webinar #29: Conversation with Facility Managers: Straight Talk Regarding Building System Needs and Expectations – Patrick Shaw, Kevin Goetz, Andy Van Haren, David Bavisotto and Chris Carter
Listen to this candid conversation with facility managers who share insights and recommendations for developing and maintaining important and productive partnerships with service providers. Hear directly from these representatives what they specifically look for when selecting a service provider for their buildings’ systems and how you can become a valuable asset and advisor to them. You will also hear about their recent experiences during the pandemic and their concerns for their tenants’ safety and health when reopening their buildings. Gain a better understanding of their current challenges and priorities and how this can impact your service offerings.
Webinar #30: Navigating the PPP Loan Forgiveness Process – Daniel Mayo and Matthew Walsh
As the 24-week period finishes up for many borrowers, the time is now to start putting together that application for loan forgiveness. Join Withum Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) leaders Daniel Mayo and Matthew Walsh as they discuss the application process and what your lenders will be looking for when applying for forgiveness.
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