Organization: MCAA

PCA’s Virtual Education Series Has Officially Started!

We recognize that virtual events simply cannot replace our in-person educational conferences and networking opportunities, so MCAA has combined several approaches and techniques to create the PCA Virtual Education Series hosted by JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Service, Inc. This year, MCAA attendees will be able to virtually walk through JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Service’s operations through seven workstations as representatives speak about the various aspects.

Once a week, for seven weeks, JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Service will highlight one of the seven workstations through a 15-minute video, followed by a 45-minute discussion of operational costs and Q&A between attendees around the country with similar operations in their companies.

The first module highlights the commercial plumbing service vehicle itself. In the video, JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Service covers the type of vehicle, the equipment and tools on each vehicle and why/how they wrap it with advertising. Each attendee will receive a comprehensive list of the tools mentioned, as well as a link to the manufacturer website and an MSRP. The video will be followed with an open discussion between attendees on how they spec a vehicle or vehicle type differently and what tools they use. By the end of the module, attendees will have a much more thorough understanding of the cost to put a plumbing service truck on the road.

VIEW BROCHURE

Although it is hard to match the insight and knowledge that attendees receive from connecting with peers and networking, MCAA believes this approach is certain to provide greater detail and information for our members, as if one were in the JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Service facility themselves. You can still register – don’t miss out!

REGISTER NOW

What You Should Know About OSHA’s Recently Revised Beryllium Standard

On August 31, 2020, OSHA published a final rule revising the beryllium standard for the construction industry. Although it is exceedingly rare for the agency’s beryllium standard to affect mechanical construction employers, if there are operations on any of your jobsites where your workers could be exposed to airborne concentrations of beryllium, you will be required to comply with the standard. For example, if your workers are hanging pipe in an area on a jobsite where abrasive blasting is being performed, it’s conceivable that your workers could be exposed to beryllium, and you would be required to make inquiries, and establish protective measures.

The primary protective measures include:

  • Perform exposure assessments;
  • Prevent your workers from being exposed above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for beryllium (0.2 ”g/m3 over an 8-hour time weighted average);
  • Prevent your workers from being exposed above the short-term exposure limit for beryllium (2.0 ”g/m3, over a 15-minute sampling period);
  • Establish engineering and work practice controls (such as ventilation or enclosure) to limit worker exposure to beryllium;
  • Provide respirators when controls cannot adequately limit exposure;
  • Limit worker access to high-exposure areas;
  • Develop a written exposure control plan;
  • Train your workers on beryllium hazards; and
  • Make medical examinations available to monitor exposed workers and provide medical removal protection to workers identified with a beryllium-related disease.

The original standard took effect on May 20, 2017, but since then, OSHA has only enforced the permissible exposure limit (PEL). However, OSHA will begin enforcing the remaining provisions of the standard, including the revised provisions, which were published in the federal register on August 31, 2020, starting September 30, 2020.

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

Need to Evaluate Your Company’s Ergonomics Program? Check Out this New Safety Resource

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.

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Find the Latest from LAARS, a Bradford White Company and Aquatherm LP 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:

LAARS, a Bradford White Company
The LAARS MagnaThermÂź HTD condensing boiler and volume water heater boasts real-time Tru TracTMO2 trim compensation that maintains ideal air-to-fuel ratios, 20:1 turndown to match varying load profiles, and the advanced LAARS LINCÂź icon-driven control system.

Aquatherm LP
Engineered from scale- and corrosion-resistant polypropylene, Aquatherm Blue PipeÂź is ideal for commercial heating and cooling systems and many other non-potable applications. It is available in sizes ranging from Âœ-in. to 24-in. to handle any size project. Aquatherm pipe and fittings are connected using virtually leak-free heat fusion, and have an anticipated life span of 50+ years.

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

New Virtual Education Series on Plumbing Service Gets Out From Behind The Desk and Explores Operations

The PCA announced the opening of a new Virtual Education Series today that goes beyond the typical Zoom meeting that we have become accustomed to.  The seven-episode series features an in-depth look at JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services, a member contractor based in Jessup, MD.  Each episode is a mini case study in a different area of operations and hosted by the JPG employees in charge of the relevant work.

What makes this series different than a typical webinar is that each area of focus includes a 15-minute video to showcase the operation, a workbook that includes products, materials and costs as well as an interactive interview with the host to get more insight into functions and share attendee solutions.

“We were all set to do a similar conference on plumbing service in person,” JPG President and CEO John Geiling stated.  “When COVID hit, instead of cancelling it or doing it via a PowerPoint presentation, we decided to try to figure out how to expand out the content and share even more information.  The result is that instead of a 15 minute demo that we would have done in our shop, we can get into a lot more details, share more information and get insight from other members as to how their operations are different.”

Beginning on Wednesday, September 23 the series will host a live module each week until its conclusion on November 4.  Each Wednesday, the session materials will be posted with a link to the live episode posted upon its completion.  Materials will be available throughout the duration of the series.  The schedule includes:

  1. Wednesday September 23, 1:00 PM EDT – The Plumbing Service Vehicle – From Tools to Truck
  2. Wednesday September 30, 1:00 PM EDT – Dispatch, GPS, Fleet Vehicle Tracking and Mobile App
  3. Wednesday October 7, 1:00 PM EDT – Technician Training and Recruiting
  4. Wednesday October 14, 1:00 PM EDT – Water Heater Repair and Installation
  5. Wednesday October 21, 1:00 PM EDT – Commercial Drain and Sewer Services
  6. Wednesday October 28, 1:00 PM EDT – Video Inspection/Robotic Pipe Inspection
  7. Wednesday November 4, 1:00 PM EST – Vac Services

Registration for the series is $400 and open to PCA, MCAA and MSCA members only.

To learn more, visit the PCA Virtual Education Series Site.

Support for the series is brought to you by MCAA’s Sponsoring Benefactors.

STOP USE! Miller MightEvac & MightyLite SRLs

Honeywell has issued an Immediate Stop USE Notice for certain models of Miller MightEvac and MightyLite self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) manufactured within a specific time frame. The notice only affects specifically listed models, with identified manufacturing dates or re-certification dates between October 27, 2016 and October 6, 2018. Models outside of this date range, including new units, are not affected by this notice. If your company uses these SRLs check Table 1 in the attached notice to determine whether your SRLs are affected. If so, they should be removed from service immediately. Honeywell is making arrangements for their return and replacement. That information is forthcoming.

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Donnelly Mechanical Team Plays Key Role in Two NYC Field Hospitals

During the height of the COVID-19 crisis in New York City in April, MCAA member Donnelly Mechanical was an integral part of converting two facilities within Queens and Brooklyn into temporary field hospitals. These hospitals were staffed with doctors and nurses from around the country who traveled to New York to help treat COVID-19 patients and to relieve the burden from the nearby, overtaxed hospitals.

Following a fast-paced, intense, competitive vetting process, Donnelly Mechanical was contracted by SLS Construction to install oxygen lines at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Based in Galveston, Texas, SLS Construction provides general contracting and construction management services with a specialty in aiding disaster relief efforts. Within just a few days, the combined effort between SLS and Donnelly converted a dozen indoor tennis courts into a temporary overflow hospital with 450 additional beds.

Once the hospital was up and running, Donnelly returned to the site to assist with additional work. Fully functional ventilators require high-pressure oxygen that meets precise specifications. Donnelly’s service team ran high pressure oxygen tubes to the ventilator location in Ward 1, where many COVID-19 patients were being treated. The team took every possible safety precaution, including the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and HAZMAT suits.

Quality Work Leads to Second Project

The GC was thoroughly impressed by Donnelly’s work and quickly awarded them a similar conversion project at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. Work to install oxygen lines at the 750-bed facility started immediately.

Teams of 25-30 men worked very long shifts to successfully complete the conversion in five days.

Unsung Heroes Recognized

The dedication of an incredible group of service technicians and field supervisors from Donnelly’s HVAC Service Team played a crucial role in the emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

The team members involved in those projects were:

  • Doug Abramowitz
  • John Battles
  • Aleko Bode
  • Eddie Buffington
  • Raphy Caba
  • Daniel Carranza
  • Domenico Cecere
  • Vladislav Ceselka
  • Cameron Clarke
  • Stephen Croteau
  • Eliasaph Dorilas
  • William Duffy
  • Nick Feliciano
  • Brandon Fernandez
  • Robert Flynn
  • Kevin Gaertner
  • Ivan Grigorov
  • Richard Harker
  • Christopher Hartley
  • Luis Hoyos
  • Luis Joseph
  • John Keaveney
  • Delano King
  • Everett Kinsler
  • Jeremy Klink
  • Robert Lagomarsine
  • Nekeb (Chad) Laurencin
  • Aleksandar Lazic
  • James LeCrichia
  • Joseph Lopez
  • James Lovett
  • John Mangino
  • James Mansfield
  • Timothy Meyers
  • Bryan Montesino
  • Antonio Mota
  • Arnold Padarath
  • Gavin Petersen
  • George Petersen
  • Endri Prifti
  • Felix Rivera
  • Nicholas Rizoglou
  • Thomas Rogoz
  • Miguel Sambolin
  • Angel Santiago
  • Paul Sehlmeyer
  • Rejnaldo Shehi
  • Mitram Singh
  • Rajendra Singh
  • Christopher Soto
  • Cedric Spencer
  • Anthony Tartaglia
  • Henry Taveras
  • Lester Tom
  • Kevin Torres
  • Aaron Vanterpool
  • David Warner
  • Stanley Young

MCAA thanks the Donnelly team and all of our members who have worked tirelessly to protect their communities’ safety. We’re all in this together.

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: Real-World Experience Matters

In this month’s edition of Beyond the Classroom, Peter Gebert, a Washington State University student, talks about the highlights of being involved in his student chapter and how that involvement has led to more learning opportunities, hands-on experience, and ultimately two internships with McKinstry.

Gebert’s interest in Mechanical Contracting was piqued while on a field trip to Seattle, “I’m walking through all these high rises and they are putting in all this HVAC, heating, plumbing, electrical and that really kind of got me going.” Gebert said. “Wow, there is so much you can do, there is so much going on in construction other than concrete and steel.”

Upcoming Beyond the Classroom videos will showcase how MCAA student chapter members and MCAA members alike are benefiting from the program. They will also share the opportunities available to students who choose careers in the mechanical industry.

Find the Latest from Watts Water Technologies and DEWALT Industrial Tool Company 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:

Watts Water Technologies
Get the job done Pronto!ℱ Now available in Cast Iron as well as PVC, this dual adjustable floor drain from WattsÂź provides maximum efficiency and accuracy during installation. Designed for post-pour adjustment with flexibility in mind, Pronto! key product features save contractors time and labor costs.

DEWALT Industrial Tool Company
DEWALTÂź, the leading manufacturer of power tools, hand tools, accessories and storage solutions, announces that its new ToughSystemÂź 2.0 Storage System, which offers improved durability and modularity versus previous units, is now available.

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

American Bar Association Publication Highlights Loss of Productivity Methodologies

The American Bar Association (ABA) published an in depth article by Paul Stynchcomb, CCM, PSP, CFCC, Professor William Ibbs, PhD and James Newland, Esquire in the Summer 2020 edition of The Construction Lawyer. The authors dissect recent Civilian Board of Contract Appeals cases in which three MCAA member firms received substantial compensation for losses in labor productivity using a variety of quantification methodologies, including the MCAA Factors, the MCAA overtime inefficiency tables and the measured mile method.

The article titled “Preparing and Presenting Loss of Labor Productivity Claims: Analysis of the Methodologies with Two Exemplars,” is the most recent in the quarterly publication, which contains some of the most pertinent articles on contracts, recent court decisions and construction law to be found anywhere in the industry. Some of the construction industry’s most acclaimed attorneys and experts publish articles that have a direct bearing on the construction industry.

In the current COVID-19 environment, many contractors are seeking recovery of loss of labor productivity and are looking for methods of productivity impact quantification specific to the effects of the pandemic. All of the well tested methods applied to the two exemplar cases described in the article are applicable to quantifying COVID-19 impacts. 

This ABA article, coupled with the MCAA’s series of informative webinars on quantifying losses in labor productivity, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, provide a valuable training tool for MCAA member firms attempting to quantify and recover losses in labor productivity.

Related Webinars:

The following webinars are available as part of MCAA COVID-19 Contingency Plan Webinar Series.

Related Resource:

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program Finishes Week 2

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program has kicked off! Each of the 17 presentations is meant to help students navigate the proposal and bid process for the annual MCAA Student Chapter Competition project.  

Did we mention registration is free and you only have to register once for ALL of the presentations!

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program website login instructions. This website includes:

  • All virtual program details;
  • Presentation descriptions;
  • Speaker overviews; and 
  • A full agenda with links to join the live sessions!

We encourage you to attend as many presentations live to interact with fellow students and engage with the presenters in the presentation Q&A. If you are unable to attend any of the sessions live, don’t you worry, the recorded presentations will be posted on MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program website AFTER the live session.

MCAA is sending a weekly Monday reminder email to registered attendees, highlighting the presentations for that week. Don’t forget to add them to your calendar!

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program is sponsored by

REGISTER NOW

MSCA Virtual Sales Basecamp

This updated program is now available virtually!

This interactive, three week virtual program will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 PM EDT, starting November 3 – 19, 2020. Sales Basecamp is where it begins for entry-level service sales personnel in the HVACR and plumbing industry. This program will prepare this recent hire or employee new to a sales position with all the relevant skills necessary to confidently sell HVACR and plumbing services while creating added value for the customer. The skills and knowledge attained in this class will become the strong foundation on which you build a long and successful career in service sales.

Class size is limited, so make sure to sign-up today!

The MCAA Family Is Growing

The MCAA family is growing, with more and more companies seeing the value of MCAA membership in ensuring their productivity and profitability. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the MCAA family.

Contractor Members

All Trades Distribution
Bensalem, PA

Beaumont Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Lake Grove, NY

Big Apple Piping Inc.
Sound Beach, NY

Big Pipe Mechanical LLC
Brentwood, CA

BIM Designs, Inc.
Aurora, CO

Blue Bear Plumbing
Marshfield, MA

Christopherson Plumbing
Omaha, NE

City Brewery
La Crosse, WI

Colombo Sales and Engineering Inc.
Oakley, MI

Craft Mechanical LLC
Chicago, IL

DeLong Plumbing Two, Inc.
Springfield, MO

D.A. Dodd, LLC
Rolling Prairie, IN

DR Specialties
Grand Junction, CO

Emcon Services, Inc.
Peachtree City, GA

Flo-Tron Contracting, Inc.
Hunt Valley, MD

Franco Belli Plumbing & Heating & Sons, Inc.
Brooklyn, NY

Fluid Mechanical, LLC
Kennard, NE

G&G Mechanical Inc.
Lancaster, CA

General & Mechanical Services, LLC
Annapolis, MD

GJM Engineering, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

Graycon, Inc.
City of Industry, CA

Harris Bay Area, LLC
Brisbane, CA

Herrman & Goetz, Inc.
South Bend, IN

IPC Lydon
Sayreville, NJ

Industrial Resourcing Group
St. Marys, OH

Jersey Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Farmingdale, NJ

Keystone Fabrication, LLC
Mt. Pleasant, PA

Dorvin D. Leis Co., Inc.
Kahului, Maui, HI

Robert L. Kistler Service Corp.
Rochester, NY

Maylon Enterprises, LLC
Gambier, OH

Mel-Kay Electric Company, Inc. dba Mel-Kay Mechanical Company, Inc.
Evansville, IN

Metro Mechanical Colorado LLC
Arvada, CO

Midstate Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Fort Dodge, IA

MK Industries, Inc.
Vernon Hills, IL

F.E. Moran, Inc. Refrigeration
Lemont, IL

Northstar Refrigeration
Plymouth, MA

Ochoa Mechanical Group, LLC
Chicago, IL

O’Connor Plumbing Company
Oak Hills, CA

On Point HVAC Corp.
Ozone Park, NY

Owens Companies
Minneapolis, MN

Perrysburg Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC
Perrysburg, OH

Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Dover, OH

Preferred Mechanical, Inc.
Bronx, NY

Prime Specialty Contracting, LLC dba Prime Mechanical Contracting
Marquette, MI

Redstar Mechanical, Inc.
Fort Lee, NJ

Rivera Equipment dba Valley Industrial Mechanical
Oak Hills, CA

S & L Plumbing and Heating Corp.
White Plains, NY

Schadegg Mechanical
South St Paul, MN

Service2.0
Monroe, MI

Solutions Mechanical LLC
Aurora, CO

Traina Mechanical, Inc.
Metairie, LA

TRS Mechanical
Spanaway, WA

Uhl Company, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN

United Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc.
Woodhaven, NY

United States Mechanical, Inc.
Circle Pines, MN

Manufacturer/Supplier Members

Lochinvar, LLC
Lebanon, TN

Procore Technologies, Inc.
Carpinteria, CA

Raken
Carlsbad, CA

Ridge Tool Company
Elyria, OH

SF&P Advisors
Boca Raton, FL

Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Kansas City, MO

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.
Fort Mill, SC

Recent Revisions to MCAA’s Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan

MCAA’s Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan was again revised to address changes to CDC guidance and add additional COVID-19 safety resources to the plan. MCAA recommends that you evaluate these changes to ensure that your company’s program is current.

Revisions were made to the actual MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan and to the accompanying documents, including:

  1. The addition of the Temperature and Symptom Screener Training PowerPoint with accompanying instructor notes;
  2. Changes to COVID-19 symptoms;
  3. Changes to discontinuing isolation protocol;
  4. Definition of “Prolonged Period”;
  5. Changes to temperature and symptom screening protocol; and
  6. Changes to PPE requirements for screeners.

The following resources can be found in the RESOURCE CENTER and below:

MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan & Checklist

MCAA COVID-19 Regulatory & Legal Guidance

MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan Questionnaires – Jobsite Screening and Company Screening Questionnaires

MCAA COVID-19 Return to Work Employee Safety Training PowerPoint & Instructor Notes

MCAA Model COVID-19 Return to Work Exposure Control Plan Test & Answer Key

MCAA COVID-19 Temperature and Symptom Screener Training PowerPoint & Instructor Notes

MCAA PAC Appreciates Your Support

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCAA Government Affairs Committee has been working tirelessly meeting with countless Congressional and Senate offices remotely to push our agenda forward. This vital work was made possible by PAC contributions to candidates who support our positions over the long term. Please join us in thanking those who gave and consider making a contribution to support these vital efforts.

The Government Affairs Committee’s legislative and advocacy work on issues like COVID-19 cost increases on Federal projects, change orders in the NDAA, pension issues, and the PBGC just to mention a few was made possible by:

  • Robert Beck
  • Robert Bolton
  • Tim Brink
  • Michael Cables
  • Don Chase
  • Jay Chase
  • Matthew Cunningham
  • Steve Dawson
  • Jim Dougherty
  • Charles Fell
  • Lyle Ferguson
  • John Feikema
  • John Ferrucci
  • Steve Fosdick
  • Greg Fuller
  • James Gaffney
  • Michael Gallagher
  • John Geiling
  • Don Giarratano
  • Jason Gordon
  • Brian Helm
  • Scott Hinton
  • Brian Hughes
  • Jay Lusita
  • William Lynch
  • Mark Magnuson
  • Rick Moreno
  • Edward Newville
  • David Quirk
  • Mark Rogers
  • Bob Snyder Jr.
  • Lawrence Verne
  • Frank Wall
  • Scott Wallenstein

MCAA’s 2020 advocacy efforts continue to need your help. Contribute to the MCAA PAC, a critical factor to our success in moving forward legislation that positively affects your business.

(Note: In order to comply with campaign finance laws, you will need to complete a solicitation authorization form before making a contribution. Find additional details and both the solicitation authorization and contribution forms via the button below.)

Law Office of Adele Abrams Newsletter – August 20, 2020

MCAA partner Adele Abrams has released the Law Office of Adele Abrams Newsletter dated August 20, 2020. The latest newsleter includes articles on OSHA Use of NWS Chart for Heat Stress Invalidated and Updates Affecting Marijuana in the Workplace.

Arden Building Companies Named Among 2020 Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies

MCAA member Arden Building Companies has been named among the Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies by Providence Business News. Arden is recognized as one of the region’s Fastest Growing Companies in the $75 million and above category based on three-year revenue growth. The company will be honored during a virtual awards ceremony on September 16, 2020. Congratulations to Bob Bolton and the entire Arden Building Companies team!

Baker Group Achieves 2.5 Million Hours Without Injury

Baker Group reached a remarkable safety milestone on August 18, 2020 when the company surpassed 2.5 million hours worked with no recordable or lost time injuries. “The successes of our employees and our projects are greatly dependent on doing work safely,” says BJ Baker, Chairman and CEO. “It’s a cornerstone of Baker Group culture.”

This milestone reflects both the high safety standards set by the company and its commitment to its clients, employees and the industries with which it connects.

This commitment shows in the awards and recognition the company has received for its safety initiatives. The two-time winner of MCAA’s highest safety award, the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award, has also received MCAA Certificates of Commendation for consistently earning exceptionally low occupational injury and illness incidence rates. The most recent of these was presented in 2020.

Earlier this month the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) recognized Baker Group with two prestigious national awards for 2020. These included the Zero Injury Award and the Safety Excellence Award for the lowest injury/illness rate among association participants in its highest category (over 500,000 hours of operation).

“We focus on achieving the highest levels of safe job performance as part of our planning as well as our field team operations,” notes Tracy Haus, long-time Director of Safety. “We roll it into all levels of communication, education and follow-through.”

A Commitment to Safety Behind the Scenes

In addition to Tracy’s role leading Baker Group’s safety initiatives, he is co-chair of the MCAA Safety & Health Committee. As a member of the committee for the past 10 years, he has had an active role in the development of MCAA’s extensive library of safety and health resources.

He, BJ and the entire Baker Group team of safety professionals have been instrumental in the creation of MCAA’s safety training videos. In addition to hosting all of the video shoots, the company has gone to extraordinary lengths in both the planning and execution of the “accidents” and “incidents” portrayed in the videos, procuring materials, equipment and locations as well as dedicating their time to being sure that things went off flawlessly. For example, see the recent videos on excavation safety, aerial lift safety, and workplace violence prevention and protection.

Congratulations to the entire Baker Group team on this major safety milestone and thank you for everything that you have contributed to MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative.

AB&I Supports Retooling Project that Extends the Life of Valuable PPE Materials

MCAA members are committed to giving back to their communities. AB&I Foundry is just one example. The company has teamed up with the California Metals Coalition (CMC), Assemblyman Rob Bonta (Alameda County), and MiraCosta College Technology Career Institute (TCI) for a “retooling” project aimed at supporting local first responders during the COVID‐19 pandemic by extending the life of their personal protective equipment (PPE).

The shortage of PPE such as 95 masks can leave health care workers, fire fighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) at risk. In order to help solve this problem, TCI retooled a portion of their Carlsbad, California location to manufacture portable decontamination kits. In support of their efforts, AB&I Foundry will be donating these kits, valued at $900 each, to four recipients: Highland Hospital, Alameda Hospital, San Leandro Hospital and Roots Community Health Center in Oakland.

Each kit includes a germicidal Ultraviolet (UV‐C) System, which is an environmentally friendly, non‐chemical disinfection process. The state-of-the art system is easy to use, and it is portable. It does not use any harmful chemicals, sprays or solvents, and is safe on all surfaces.

“UV-C Light has been proven to kill germs, viruses and bacteria. At AB&I Foundry we have hired a service that comes in periodically to fully disinfect the foundry as part of our routine maintenance to combat the Coronavirus,” said Michael Lowe, General Manager of AB&I Foundry. “Making this technology available to healthcare workers is our way of helping as we all navigate these difficult times,” he said.

Here’s how it works: The UV-C light is a short-wavelength, ultraviolet light that breaks apart germ DNA, leaving it unable to function or reproduce. In other words, UV-C light is a germicidal that kills or neutralizes “superbugs” like the Coronavirus, germs or any other pathogens on surfaces. The system plugs in to any standard outlet, and within a 2- to 4-minute disinfecting process it can sterilize PPE equipment thus extending the service life of PPE gear. This compact disinfecting kit is 16”x20”x8” and it’s easy and safe to use – just place an item inside the box, close the lid, and the system starts the process of disinfecting. An added safety feature automatically turns off the system if the lid opens.