Organization: MSCA

Need to Teach Workers About Hazard Communication? This Video Can Help!

MCAA’s Hazard Communication Safety Training Video will help your workers protect themselves from chemical hazards in the workplace.

Your workers will learn about:

  • The globally harmonized system for communicating chemical information
  • Hazard communication programs
  • Chemical container labels
  • Safety Data Sheets (SDSs)

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training concepts

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Plus, give workers a quick jobsite reference

Download the GHS Pictograms and Hazards Poster

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

MSCA CONNECT 2017 Post-Conference Website is Live!

We give our sincerest thanks to all the conference attendees who made MSCA CONNECT 2017 the best attended MSCA conference to date and to those who were unable to attend this year, here’s a peek at what you missed and a good snapshot of what’s to come for MSCA CONNECT 2018.

We hope that all of you will join us for next year’s conference to be held October 21-24, 2018 in Huntington Beach, CA at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa! So please Save the Date!

MSCA CONNECT 2017 Education Conference Recap Video:

Click below to see the MSCA CONNECT 2017 Post Conference Website!

Need Help Managing Your Business Finances? Check Out These Bulletins!

Staying on top of your company’s finances can be challenging, especially during periods of economic volatility. With that in mind, MCAA’s Management Methods Committee produced bulletins that address the most critical accounting and financial issues facing your business.

The bulletins cover a wide range of topics from general guidelines—Tips to Help Contractors Manage Through an Economic Downturn, Guide to Financial Statements and Credit Policy Criteria—to more specific issues, such as Cash Flow, Service Mark-ups vs. Construction Mark-ups and Other Direct Job Costs (ODJC’s) and Indirect Job Costs. Each bulletin provides detailed, current information that will not only help you keep your finances in balance but may also streamline your company’s accounting processes and improve your business relationships with your customers, project associates and equipment suppliers.

Want to See All of the Management Methods Bulletins?

You can find them on our Management Methods Bulletins page, where they’re listed by category with links.

GO THERE NOW

Or in the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

VISIT THE RESOURCE CENTER

Want to Prevent Falls from Ladders? Check Out this Video!

MCAA’s Ladder Safety Training Video can help you prevent falls by showing workers how to inspect, transport, set up and use ladders safely.

Your workers will learn about:

  • Common reasons for falls
  • The safe use of ladders, including stepladders and portable straight ladders
  • How new ladder technology has substantially improved ladder safety

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training concepts

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

MSCA Appoints First Female Chair of MSCA Board of Managers

NEWS RELEASE

Mechanical Service Contractors of America Names First Woman Chair of MSCA Board of Managers

Jaimi Lomas, VP of Service, A.O. Reed & Co., makes MSCA history

ROCKVILLE, MD—The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) announced the appointment of Jaimi Lomas, vice president of service at A. O. Reed in San Diego, CA, as the first woman chair of the MSCA board of managers during its 32nd annual education conference in Boca Raton, Florida. Kip Bagley, vice president of service at EMCOR Services, Mesa Energy Systems, Irvine, CA, will serve as vice chairman, Steve Smith, senior vice president of ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc., Glendale, CA, will serve as treasurer and Chris Carter, vice president of service at Murphy Company, St. Louis, MO, will now serve as past chairman.

Jaimi Lomas, vice president of service for A.O. Reed & Co. in San Diego, CA is a 20+ year veteran of the company and is responsible for sales, operations, and the overall growth and financial health of the service division. With over 10 years in her current role at A.O. Reed & Co., Jaimi is expert in building strategic customer relationships and has a true passion for developing internal culture and mentoring employee success.  As a female in a male dominated industry, Jaimi is focused on building an inclusive and diverse organization that reflects the community and allows individuals to contribute and reach their full potential. Jaimi was selected as the 2011 HVAC Woman of the Year by HVAC News, and has been an active leader with BOMA in San Diego for over 20 years. She has served on the MSCA marketing committee for 10 years and as its chairman for the past two years as well as serving on the MSCA Board of Managers for six years. Jaimi is currently President of the Mechanical Service Contractors of San Diego. For over a decade she has been a committed Big Sister for Girls Rising where she has inspired many young women.

MSCA and Convoy of Hope Video Highlights at MSCA CONNECT 2017!

MSCA & Convoy of Hope video highlights at MSCA CONNECT 2017 at the Palm Beach County Food Bank in Boca Raton, Florida!

For the eighth consecutive year, MSCA and Convoy of Hope worked together to assist a local charitable organization at MSCA’s annual education conference. This year, MSCA worked in Boca Raton at the Palm Beach County Food Bank, during MSCA CONNECT 2017.

Check out MSCA’s day of charity, hard work and fun.

 

MSCA and Convoy of Hope Featured in News!

MSCA made the News – with HOPE anything is POSSIBLE!

For the eighth consecutive year, MSCA and Convoy of Hope worked together to assist a local charitable organization at MSCA’s annual education conference. This year, MSCA worked in Boca Raton at the Palm Beach County Food Bank, during MSCA CONNECT 2017.

Click the link below for the story!

Last Chance to Register for MCAA’s Technology Conference

This week is your last chance to register for the MCAA Technology Conference. The conference provides insight on new tools, processes and software that even the most established contractors are having a hard time keeping up with.

This year’s event addresses challenges for your entire team. It was designed for all areas of your company that work with technology. General sessions are combined with in-depth breakout and roundtables to allow for a dive deep for specific users:

  • For BIM experts, we have sessions on keeping BIM costs in check, optimizing productivity and learning about the next generation of tools.
  • For service contractors, we have a full slate of breakout sessions on the hardware and software being used today by service contractors.
  • IT managers will find incredible insight from Nick Espinosa on cyber security threats from a hacker’s point of view. (Check out his video interview with BuiltWorlds)
  • Operations and management will learn how to sell technology to customers, hear about software designed for their use and understand what their IT team is asking them.

There are a lot of events each year, but this conference is the only one that is MEP focused with peers sharing ideas on the latest technology. Don’t miss this opportunity. Register now and I hope to see you in Austin this November 8-10.

MSCA Social Media Survey Winners!

We Have Winners! 
Congrats to the 10 winners who won – just for completing the one minute Social Media Survey! Many thanks to all who responded to the survey for your valuable feedback!

 

$100 Amazon Gift Card Winners:
Michele Hoffman, MCA of Omaha, Inc.
Richard Cooke, ABM Building Solutions, LLC
Chris Rainwater, McKenney’s, Inc.
Ron Timmons, American Mechanical Services of Colorado, Inc
John Ferrucci, F & F Mechanical Enterprises

 

$50 Amazon Gift Card Winners:
Jodi Van Haren, Advantage Mechanical Refrigeration, Inc.
Steve Hayes, The Brandt Companies, LLC
Pattie Krippendorf, Mechanical, Inc.
Daniel Huelsenbeck, Wagner-Meinert, LLC
Roger Eineichner, Penta Technologies, Inc.

 

Winners: Please email Mia Yi, Director of Communications at myi@mcaa.org, to claim your prize!

Ready… Set… Go! MCAA’s Student Chapter Competition is Off and Running

MCAA student chapter members have been challenged to plan a project involving the renovation of the mechanical systems of a Brazilian restaurant in mid-town New York City—Fogo De Chao Steakhouse. The project, which was provided by Arista Air Conditioning Corporation, was announced during MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum in Indianapolis on September 30, 2017.

Project Presents Challenges

The project calls for the mechanical subcontractor to assist and coordinate the removal of the existing equipment and the installation of the new equipment using variable refrigerant flow technology (VRF). The contractor also must arrange for and coordinate the subcontracted work, manage the project within the space constraints of the restaurant (16,000 sq. ft.) and arrange all necessary city permits and licenses. The mechanical contractor may select the equipment manufacturer.

The original project design called for a chilled water system that was to be installed on the restaurant building’s roof, but the owner preferred a design option using VRF. A Simultaneous Heat Recovery system (producing heating and cooling at the same time) was selected, but bidders are to determine its design and operation.

Proposals Put Students’ Skills to the Test

Proposals are to be submitted in two segments. The first is to include pre-qualification data, such as corporate background, relevant project experience, financial information, a corporate organization chart, Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities, the company’s safety record, letters of recommendation and more. The second segment calls for project-specific information, such as a project staffing matrix, a schedule, a detailed construction and/or logistics project plan, unique means and methods anticipated, and a Total Lump Sum Cost Summary Breakdown.

Proposals also must include a Preventative Maintenance and Service Contract which must incorporate a complete energy service agreement covering all the installed equipment, complete tasking of all equipment, tracking and analysis of all energy used in the system, a monthly report of all energy used, a dedicated mechanic and a back-up familiar with the restaurant and the equipment, quarterly reviews of the energy spent, filter service, estimated labor and much more.

Bidders also must take into consideration the following requirements and information:

  • Bidders are invited to submit Value Engineering suggestions limited to alternative construction means and methods, alternative materials and items that will enhance the efficiency of the facility.
  • The city has requested that union labor perform all the construction work.
  • This is not a LEED project, and therefore no LEED certifications will be considered.
  • All rigging and hoisting are to be performed on Sunday only.
  • Construction crews are not allowed to use areas shared with other businesses in the building, including stairways and stairwells, lobbies and building entrances and exits.

Final Four Teams Will Present at MCAA 2018

Proposals, which are due December 15, 2017, will be evaluated by members of MCAA’s Career Development Committee. These members will select the top four scoring teams to present their proposals at the MCAA 2018 convention in San Antonio, TX on March 26, 2018. The winning team will receive $10,000, the second place team will receive $5,000 and the other two finalists will each received $2,500.

Have Questions?

For more information, please contact Harlee Gallo.

MCAA Tech Conference Brings Big Ideas Down to Earth

Small ideas can make a big difference to your company. The MCAA Technology Conference is an event that doesn’t just provide a few small takeaways, but a wealth of ideas that can be applied across your business. Technology is providing so many new tools, processes and software that even the most established contractors are having a hard time keeping up. The MCAA Tech Conference is your crash course on the latest tech trends in the industry and how other contractors are taking advantage of them.

This year’s conference addresses challenges for your entire team. MCAA fields a lot of questions on who should attend. This conference is designed for all areas of your company that work with technology. General sessions are combined with in-depth breakouts and roundtables to dive deep for specific users:

  • For BIM experts, we have sessions on keeping BIM costs in check, optimizing productivity and learning about the next generation of tools.
  • For service contractors, we have a full slate of breakout sessions on the hardware and software being used today by service contractors.
  • IT managers will find incredible insight from Nick Espinosa on cyber security threats from a hacker’s point of view. (Check out his video interview with BuiltWorlds)
  • Operations and management will learn how to sell technology to customers, hear about software designed for their use and understand what their IT team is asking them.

MCAA and MSCA host many educational events each year, but this conference is the only one that is MEP-focused with peers sharing ideas on the latest technologies. Don’t miss this terrific learning opportunity. Register now!

MCAA’s “A Day in the Life of Ted” Video – A Must-See for College Students!

“Despite being on the executive board of my school’s MCAA Chapter, I still didn’t fully appreciate what it is actually like to work for a mechanical contractor until this presentation. The “A Day in the Life of Ted” video was an excellent view as to what makes your section of the industry different than a typical building contractor.” That was one student’s reaction to the video at MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum.

The video follows Ted McHugh of West Chester Mechanical in Aston, PA through a typical workday. In addition to highlighting the daily demands associated with keeping a project on time and within budget, it showcases for students how a great future is achievable in the mechanical industry!

Tech Conference to Feature White Hat Hacker

Hacking is becoming a big business these days.  It is not just limited to big companies like Equifax, Target and Home Depot, but small to medium sized businesses as well.  While most contractors do not store credit card data or store valuable information, they can be seen as the gateway to larger companies because of their access to their networks.

Recently, we interviewed Nick Espinosa, a “white-hat” hacker that specializes in finding weaknesses in companies’ computer networks and protecting them before criminals can exploit them.  Nick is a featured speaker for the MCAA Technology Conference in Austin, Texas this November 8-10. There he will share case studies of ways that hackers are sneaking in to companies and what they have done once inside.

Watch his interview to get a preview of his session at the Tech Conference.  If you are interested in attending, check out the conference website to learn more about all of the conference sessions that will help contractors compete in the new age of technology.

MCAA Tech Update Episode Six

In the latest episode of the MCAA Tech Update, we preview the 2017 MCAA Tech Conference with an interview of one of its featured speakers, Nick Espinosa. Nick is a a white-hat hacker – a cyber security specialist that protects and defends companies from the bad guys. In his interview, he talks about threats that companies face, and the role that mechanical contractors face in these new connected times. Registration is open for the event which takes place November 8-10 in Austin, Texas.

Click Here for More Information.

The update also provides a recap of the latest MCAA sponsored ConTech Roadshow in Chicago. The one-day event featured some of the best technology speakers as well as a case study by Travis Voss of Mechanical Inc. In his presentation, Voss demonstrated how contractors are beginning to use virtual reality and mixed reality in their operations to visualize designs and install more accurately.

MCAA is sponsoring the next two Contech Roadshows in Dallas, Texas and Oakland California.  Visit the ConTech Roadshow website for more information.

MSCA’s Plumbing Service 101 – Cash is King Webinar is Now Available!

If you missed Plumbing Service 101, Module 4 – Cash is King, don’t worry, you can now access the webinar in both MSCA’s Resource Center and in Archived Webinars.

This fourth webinar in the MSCA original series, Plumbing Service 101, Cash is King, focuses on the financial aspects of operating a successful plumbing service business. Some of the topics discussed include the cost of an hour of service; flat rate pricing versus hourly billing; the components of labor burden; pre-qualifying customers; billing and collections; handling paperwork; and initial expenses required for start-up.

Each module consists of a 60-minute webinar and corresponding workbook. Webinars and workbooks are free to MSCA/MCAA members.

Access the webinar in Archived Webinars

 

“I have never been more proud to be a plumber for a union contractor…”

MCAA is a family. Tragically, members of our family now need our help. Many of our MCAA and UA families had their lives turned upside down by the unbelievable tragedy named Harvey.

That’s why MCAA established the MCAA Disaster Relief Fund. THANK YOU to those MCAA-affiliated local associations, individuals and member companies, both contractors and manufacturer/suppliers, that have contributed to our Relief Fund.

Together, We are Making a Difference!

If you would like to make a contribution to our Fund you can easily do so via a check made out to the “MCAA Disaster Relief Fund.” Checks can be mailed to the attention of MCAA CEO John Gentille at the MCAA National Office, 1385 Piccard Drive, Rockville, MD 20850.

 

MSCA CONNECT 2017 – Trends and Forecast for Mechanical Service Industry

Dr. Christopher Kuehl 
MSCA CONNECT 2017
An Economy in Flux: Has it Worked Out as Expected?

Dr. Kuehl, leading chief economist for several national and international organizations, will discuss and share his forecast for the mechanical service industry at MSCA CONNECT 2017 Education Conference, October 15-18.

This informative session will give you a solid overview of what has transpired in 2017 and what we can expect and look forward to in 2018. The world of the mechanical service contractor engages with almost every sector of the economy. After Dr. Kuehl’s revealing session, you will have a better idea of which sectors are healthy and which still struggle so that you are better equipped to make decisions for your company armed with this important economic information.

Dr. Christopher Kuehl is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence and holds advanced degrees in economics, Soviet and East Asian studies. He provides forecasts and strategic guidance for a wide variety of corporate clients around the world. Dr. Kuehl was a professor of economics and finance for 15 years, teaching in the US, Hungary, Russia, Estonia, Singapore and Taiwan.

Don’t miss Dr. Kuehl’s informative session on Tuesday, October 17! Register today for MSCA CONNECT 2017 using the button below.

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

Revised Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians Now Available in Print

MCAA recently released an electronic version of its newly revised MSCA Safety Manual for Mechanical Service Technicians. The manual, which includes substantive revisions to sections on CPR, choking, OSHA, arc flash and electrical shock protection, and refrigerants, and new sections on hexavalent chromium, manganese, noise, and zinc, is now available in print.

The extremely popular printed version is a pocket size manual on a durable, hard stock laminated paper. It’s also spiral bound to prevent binding damage.

The member price for printed copies has been substantially reduced. The new member pricing is $5.00 per manual, regardless of the number of manuals ordered. The non-member pricing is $20.00 per manual.

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Does Your Company Do Construction Work or Have a Fab Shop?

Then you won’t want to miss these similar titles designed especially for construction and fabrication shop workers.

Safety Manual for Mechanical Construction Workers

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

Safety Manual for Mechanical Fabrication Shop Workers

Download a PDF or Purchase Hard Copies

MSCA CONNECT 2017 – Does Your Company Have a Culture of Innovation?

Jay Rao – MSCA CONNECT 2017

Innovation Sandbox: 
Entrepreneurial Leadership &
Culture of Innovation

Jay Rao, a highly rated MCAA ALI presenter and Babson Executive Education programs instructor, uses his executive teaching and consulting in the areas of innovation in initiatives within firms; implementation; customer experience; and  corporate entrepreneurship to show how companies need to change and adapt to new technologies in order to embrace the future of our industry. Dr. Rao’s insights and examples of how big companies like Kodak missed tremendous opportunities to embrace new inventions, for the sake of keeping the status quo, will help you recognize how not to follow that old way of thinking. Dr. Rao shares how the sustainability and stability of big companies has changed with technology and how embracing innovation trends will enable us to implement new technologies into areas of our business with an open mind.

Dr. Rao teaches extensively in the Babson Executive Education programs and has taught and/or consulted for leading companies such as BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline and Ocean Spray.

Don’t miss Dr. Rao’s eye-opening and informative session on Tuesday, October 17! Register today for MSCA CONNECT 2017 using the button below.

MSCA 2017 Conference Website