Backend Category: Safety Excellence Initiative

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Safety Culture Resources

A positive safety culture starts at the top and can have a profound impact on your company’s bottom line, reducing or even eliminating serious injuries and violations. MCAA’s Safety Culture Resources give workers the tools they need to recognize and work safely around hazards. These resources also provide supervisors with the solid grounding in safety leadership, management, and conflict resolution needed to support a company safety program. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Hazard Recognition (Part 1)

Hazard Recognition (Part 2)

Supervisor Safety Training Videos

MCAA Shares Mental Health Resources In Honor of National Suicide Prevention Month

Construction continues to be a hard and high-stress profession with one of the highest rates of death by suicide of all industries in the United States. In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month this month and Construction Suicide Prevention Week from September 9-13, MCAA is highlighting resources and training to help you to start or continue the conversation with your teams.

Available resources include:

  • MCAA’s award-winning Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Video highlights the success story of an industry veteran, with appearances from MCAA president Robert Beck, the UA’s Jen Massey, industry expert Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas, and MCAA member Ricky Reams. English and Spanish versions are available to MCAA members via mcaa.org. The public video, available to all, can be found at YouTube.com/@MCAAmerica or directly here in English or Spanish.
  • Over the last year, MCAA has partnered with the UA, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC to distribute over 150k 988 awareness hard hat stickers and chips highlighting the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Both items include the UA and MCAA logos.
    • MCAA members can order stickers here. To order chips, contact Lindsay Korpiniski at orderdesk@unionproud.com and reference the MCAA and UA 988 Chips. Both manufacturers employ union labor, and the chips and stickers carry the union label. Those with questions can contact Raffi Elchemmas (raffi@mcaa.org).
    • UA members can order right from the UA’s webstore. Those with questions can reach out to Nicole Jeup (nicolej@uanet.org).
  • The UA/MCAA Mental Health Toolbox Talks are easy to reference, quick to use, and a great way to start or continue the conversation on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in construction at your company. They are available in English and Spanish.
  • COMING SOON: MCAA’s newest education opportunity, the Construction Mental Health Summit will take place January 13th, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, FL, in conjunction with the MCAA/TAUC/SMACNA Safety and Health Conference. Developed in partnership with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), the half-day Construction Mental Health Summit will focus on the importance of understanding and leading through vulnerability, courage, connection, and compassion. Participants will join in this interactive experience to discuss the importance of courage, connection, and compassion in our personal and professional values. There are many things we can do to take care of ourselves at a deeper level as well as take care of those we lead at a deeper level. Additional information and registration will be available in the coming months at mcaa.org.
  • MCAA members are invited to attend a Suicide Prevention in the Construction Industry webinar put on by CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), CIASP, and the Laborers’ Health & Safety Fund of North America (LSHFNA). The webinar will be held September 5 at 2:00 PM ET. Learn more and register here.

With these resources, we hope that your teams will spend time discussing this important industry issue. By learning how to support one another, they just may save a life.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Workplace Safety Resources

Workplace safety includes more than PPE and fall protection, it encompasses workplace distractions and workplace violence. MCAA’s Workplace Safety Resources help team members identify warning signs and take appropriate actions to prevent workplace violence. They also show viewers how to protect themselves and others if they find themselves in an active workplace violence situation. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Workplace Distractions

Workplace Violence

MCAA Microlearning Safety Videos

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Confined Spaces Safety Resources

Confined spaces present hazards from reduced oxygen content to an increased risk of combustion. Flammable gases or vapors and other physical hazards may also be present. MCAA’s Confined Spaces Safety Resources provide safe work practices to help protect those working in confined spaces. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Confined Spaces in Construction

Safety Bulletin

Model Safety Program

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Equipment Safety Resources

In 2020, almost 3,000 fatal and over 200K nonfatal distracted-related motor vehicle accidents occurred. Commercial drivers are 6 times more likely to be involved in a critical safety event when participating in handheld browser activities. MCAA’s Equipment Safety Resources provide vital information to assist in reducing the risks associated with operating automobiles, forklifts, and heavy equipment, including four CNA infographics in their fleet safety series. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Forklift Safety

Heavy Equipment Safety

Inspecting Materials Handling Equipment

Supervisor Safety Training Videos

Safety Bulletins

Safety Guides

CNA Fleet Safety Infographics

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA Shares Safety & Health Videos to Support OSHA Safe + Sound Week

In honor of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safe and Sound Week campaign, August 12-18, 2024, MCAA is re-sharing a series of safety videos created by the Safety Alliance between MCAA, TAUC, NECA, and SMACNA for your use to highlight key safety topics with your employees and co-workers. From fall protection to tips to combat the opioid crisis, the shared responsibility for safety, and the importance of workplace violence training, take time to focus on safety, you will be glad you did!

We kick off the week with a message from Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas highlighting the resources available to members.

On Tuesday, The Association of Union Constructors Safety Director Alex Kopp addresses falls, which remain a leading cause of injury or incident in our industry. He presents a multi-layered approach that will allow Safety Alliance members to not only meet OSHA guidelines, but to exceed them.

On Wednesday, we hear from SMACNA Director of Safety Justin Crandol, CSP, ARM, CRIS with tips to help contractors combat the opioid crisis with knowledge and action.

National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Executive Director, Outside Line Safety Mike Starner, CUSP, CHST talks about the shared responsibility for safety on Thursday.

To close out the week, Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas encourages contractors to spend time on workplace violence training.

MCAA offers a wide range of 700+ safety and health resources, all free to members as a benefit of membership, to keep workers safe and ensure your company has the programs in place to comply with OSHA regulations.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Musculoskeletal Disorders & Ergonomic Safety Resources

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) or ergonomic injuries are more than just a buzzword. OSHA approximates that one in three injuries is an MSD and these injuries cost U.S. workplaces billions of dollars each year. MCAA’s Musculoskeletal Disorders & Ergonomic Safety Resources provide the information you need to reduce risk and ensure worker safety, including several videos developed in collaboration with our partners at CNA insurance and an ergonomics webinar developed in partnership with The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), Washington University in St. Louis, and Best Built Plans. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Musculoskeletal Wellness (Ergonomics) 

MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series

  • Worker Personal Health to Help Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries – English | Spanish
  • Safe Lifting Technique to Help Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries – English | Spanish
  • Proper Material Staging to Help Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries – English | Spanish

Safety Training Webinar

Supervisor Safety Training Video

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical construction, service and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Worker Health Resources

Worker health is at the heart of all that safety professionals do. MCAA’s Worker Health Resources include six worker safety videos and their accompanying materials and eleven worker safety resources that let you refresh training on subjects such as Asbestos Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hexavalent Chromium, Silica, Radio Frequency Radiation Safety, Respiratory Protection. Guides, bulletins, and programs on each topic support these efforts. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Asbestos Awareness

Bloodborne Pathogens

Hexavalent Chromium

Silica

Radio Frequency Radiation Safety

Respiratory Protection

Safety Bulletins

Safety Guides

Model Safety Programs

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical construction, service and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Personal Protective Equipment Safety & Health Resources

PPE is the last line of defense, and sometimes all you need to prevent and injury or save a life. Preventable injuries impact our safety culture, company morale, and our bottom lines. MCAA’s Personal Protective Equipment Safety & Health Resources include our newest videos on hearing protection, head protection, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hand protection. These videos are a candid look at what happens when you don’t wear PPE, and how easily you can help yourself and others by wearing these lifesaving pieces of personal protection. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

PPE Demo Series

Safety Bulletin

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA & ASSP Formalize Collaborative Relationship to Advance Worker Safety

After years of mutual collaboration, MCAA and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) have formalized the relationship with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to provide greater access to resources, strengthen advocacy, and create safer jobsites around the country.

Earlier this year, Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA Executive Director of Safety, Health and Risk Management, welcomed ASSP CEO, Jennifer McNelly to keynote the annual safety and health conference in Tucson, AZ. MCAA members heard from McNelly on leadership, culture, and her personal career experiences. McNelly received a standing ovation from conference attendees in a very memorable experience for all involved. 

“We recognize the benefits of collaboration to improve occupational safety and health practices while elevating the voice of our profession,” said ASSP President Pam Walaski in a statement. “Together we strive to strengthen advocacy efforts, implement programs and create standards that reduce worker illnesses, injuries and fatalities.”

Our work together will widen the access to safety professionals through greater involvement in MCAA’s Safety & Health Conference – one of the longest-running construction safety conferences. The annual event offers training and education courses designed to improve safety practices among mechanical contractors.

Timothy J Brink, MCAA CEO said, “Reflecting on our years of mutual effort and shared goals, I’m excited to announce MCAA’s formal alliance with ASSP, marking a significant stride towards enhancing workplace safety nationwide. This collaboration unites MCAA & ASSP in a commitment to elevate safety standards and disseminate vital knowledge to countless construction jobsite professionals.”

For more information, view ASSP’s press release here.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Working at Heights Safety & Health Resources

Working at heights continues to be one of the most dangerous parts of construction and service. Each year falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities and fall protection is the most cited OSHA violation. MCAA’s Working at Heights resources, which include training on Aerial Lift Safety, Fall Prevention and Protection, Ladder Safety, and Scaffold Safety, help keep workers safe, while model programs on fall protection and fall rescue simplify OSHA compliance.These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Aerial Lift Safety

Fall Prevention and Protection

Ladder Safety

Scaffold Safety

Model Safety Programs

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s New Worker Safety & Health Resources

New workers are often the most vulnerable to accidents and injuries. MCAA’s New Worker Safety & Health Resources assist contractors in providing training on how to identify common hazards in the mechanical industry, and how to protect themselves from those hazards. Topics covered include stop work authority, pre-task planning, PPE, working at heights, fall protection, fall prevention, power tool safety, hazard communication, housekeeping, and emergency procedures. These are just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

New Worker Safety Orientation

Safety Manuals

Safety Programs

Explore the the full range of resources for mechanical service contractors, including resources that are also of interest to mechanical construction and plumbing contractors, using the blue Find A Resource bar on our website or browse our collection of 700+ safety and health resources.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA & NFPA Are Empowering Electrical Safety for Mechanical Service with New Training & Education

MCAA has joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer resources and tools customized and curated to specifically address and mitigate risks related to electrical safety posed to MCAA members, including physical, compliance and financial risks. Crafted by NFPA’s trusted subject matter experts, this content will provide actionable information and strategies to help you and your team keep pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment, identify potential hazards and shortfalls, and markedly improve safety for your employees, customers, and their workplaces and communities.

Depending on your needs and goals, we offer different levels of educational programs from introductory to more in-depth and on-going programming—and it’s all at a discounted rate.

See the brochure for offerings and discounts, then request more information at nfpa.org/mcaa-nfpa.

If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, please contact Raffi Elchemmas.

2026 Safety & Health Conference

MCAA, SMACNA, TAUC have partnered together to host the Safety & Health Conference, the biggest construction safety event of the year. The conference brings together safety professionals from across the construction industry to collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities within our field. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a range of educational programs designed to enhance their professional skills. Subject Matter Experts will cover various aspects of jobsite safety, including discussions on emerging technologies and evolving best practices that can be implemented in their operations. Hands-on workshops will also be available, allowing experts to delve into new safety & health concepts in detail and provide practical guidance to help attendees better understand these innovative ideas. Two summits will also be offered, a pre-conference Construction Mental Health Summit and a post-conference Construction Risk Management Summit. 

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Power & Hand Tool Safety Resources

Every contractor and worker use tools to do their job. Injuries from improper use and choosing the wrong tool for the job happen far too often. Our resource this week highlights the tools most likely to be involved in an injury incident and teach proper use of the tools to help prevent injuries. Be sure to check out the additional resources on power and hand tool safety from our partner in safety, MILWAUKEE TOOL. They’re just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

DOWNLOAD

On June 26th, the MCAA, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Contractors (TAUC) announced the inaugural Safety & Health Conference scheduled for January 13-16, 2025, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL., poised to be the biggest construction safety event of the year, sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL.

Explore the full range of 700+ safety and health resources available from MCAA here.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Resource Highlight: Heat Stress

Each year, thousands of workers suffer from heat illness while working in high temperatures, direct sun, and humid conditions; dozens even die. Many mechanical contractors spend part of their working day in hot environments, both indoors and outdoors. Workers performing physical labor are often exposed to hazardous heat conditions that can have severe safety and health outcomes. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

VIEW RESOURCE

Explore the full range MCAA resources in the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Find A Resource bar to pinpoint exactly what you need.

MCAA Partners with SMACNA & TAUC for the Biggest Construction Safety Event of the Year

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Contractors (TAUC) are thrilled to announce the inaugural Safety & Health Conference scheduled for January 13-16, 2025, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL., poised to be the biggest construction safety event of the year. 

Sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL, the 2025 Safety & Health Conference will bring together safety professionals from across the construction industry to collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities within our field. It is imperative that contractors are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to create safe workplaces where the risk of injury and illness is minimized. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a range of educational programs designed to enhance their professional skills. Subject Matter Experts will cover various aspects of jobsite safety, including discussions on emerging technologies and evolving best practices that can be implemented in their operations. Hands-on workshops will also be available, allowing experts to delve into new safety & health concepts in detail and provide practical guidance to help attendees better understand these innovative ideas. 

For the first time ever, two new summits will also be offered, a pre-conference Construction Mental Health Summit and a post-conference Construction Risk Management Summit. 

Registration for the conference will open in September 2024. Mark your calendars to ensure you don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the safety industry! 

For those interested in exhibiting at the 2025 Safety & Health Conference, please reach out to Alex Kopp. 

MCAA and Partners Team Up with Virginia Tech to Improve Head Protection

Thirteen years after releasing the first independent safety ratings for varsity football helmets, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab is expanding into the construction industry. This summer, researchers will begin an 18-month study to develop the first ratings system for safety helmets, commonly referred to as hard hats or construction helmets, using their five-star scale. This project is being funded and guided by the John R. Gentille Foundation, ELECTRI International, the American Society of Concrete Contractors, and The Association of Union Constructors in an effort to reduce the number of head injuries in our industry.

The lab has previously conducted injury biomechanics research outside sports, including toy product safety and drone impact testing. However, this is the first time they will develop a ratings system for a non-sports helmet.

“Construction has the most workplace fatalities,” said Steve Rowson, Helmet Lab Director. “Better head protection could be life-saving in many accidents.”

Between 2000 and 2008, the construction industry had more traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) than any other industry, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The project’s objectives are:

  • Analyze head impacts in construction through accident reports and surveillance video.
  • Translate real-world conditions to controlled laboratory tests.
  • Test and publicly release data on available safety helmets on the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings website.

The lab will use its Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk (STAR) model to compute overall performance scores for helmets, assigning a rating from one to five stars based on a series of impact tests tailored to construction helmet conditions.

“We are honored to support research that will improve the safety of the men and women building our nation by focusing on the industry-specific factors that contribute to head injuries,” said Raffi Elchemmas of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. “We are all committed to finding solutions to the challenges that the construction industry faces every day and confident this project will lead to improved head protection and reduce injuries.”

The project is scheduled for completion by August 2025.

“We hope this work reduces disabling or fatal head injuries by providing stakeholders with data to make informed decisions on the most effective personal protective equipment,” Rowson said.

Learn more about the lab’s methodology, history, and upcoming project by watching the video on Virginia Tech’s website.

MCAA Safety & Health Data Raises The Bar

The 2024 MCAA Safety Statistics & Awards program highlights a consistent and stable cohort of safety performance across MCAA contractor membership. This year the MCAA Safety Excellence Initiative is proud to recognize 62 MCAA member companies. All applicants receive a valuable benchmarking report that will allow them to compare their own 2023 incidence rates with the aggregate rates of the other participating MCAA companies overall, those in the same size category, and with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics incidence rates.

This year’s cohort achieved best in industry rates across the construction sector. On average participating MCAA contractors had a recordable rate of 1.1, lower than years past and significantly lower than our industry in general with a 3.1. As far as lost workday cases go, MCAA members once again performed exceptionally with a .28 rate compared to the industry rate of 1.8.

Those who qualified will also receive a certificate of recognition.

The program provides six awards categories including awards for zero recordable cases, zero lost workday cases, recordable cases incidence rates that are 25% or more below the industry average, lost workday cases incidence rates that are 25% or more below the industry average, and two that are a mix of these items.

MCAA is pleased to give the following contractors special recognition for their safety performance.

Zero Recordable Cases

  • James T. Kay Co., Inc.
  • Bayes, Inc.
  • Benkari LLC
  • ACSI Mechanical Group
  • Stirrett Johnsen, Inc.
  • Sun Mechanical Systems, Inc.
  • Denali Construction Services, LLC
  • Neptune Plumbing & Heating Co.
  • King Industries Inc.
  • A J Allen Mechanical Contractors Inc.
  • W.J. O’Neil Company
  • BAKER GROUP

Zero Lost Workday Cases

  • DebonAir Mechanical
  • SEXSON MECHANICAL COMPANY
  • Indoor Environmental Services
  • Muir-Chase Plumbing Co., Inc.
  • Hurckman Mechanical
  • North Mechanical Service
  • Auburn Mechanical
  • Wm.T. Spaeder Co., Inc
  • RW LaPIne Inc.
  • UMC, inc.
  • Warwick Mechanical Group
  • icon Mechanical
  • Control Air Enterprises LLC
  • Therma LLC
  • Nooter Construction Company
  • Murray Company

Congratulations to all award winners and thank you to everyone who submitted. MCAA members’ focus on safety and health is objectively above average and your support of this program highlights your company’s commitment to safety.

BMWC Constructors, Inc. Earns Top MCAA/CNA Safety Award in Category 5

BMWC Constructors, Inc. was selected as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2023 in Size Category 5, 1M+ Work Hours. BMWC Constructors, Inc. earned this prestigious designation because their relentless commitment to “Zero Injuries” through culture, programs and performance makes safety and health a priority.

The innovative Safety for Life program connects all aspects of safety, from work to home to community. The program has become the centerpiece of the company’s core values.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards began in the 1990s when MCAA partnered with CNA Insurance. It is a fiercely competitive program in which only the best of the best compete for the awards.

This is one of the most competitive safety awards programs in the country and winners are highly regarded among their peers.

The award focuses on safety and health programs, safety innovations and achievements in safety to reach a high degree of safety and health excellence. Companies are divided into five categories by number of hours worked and winners are selected by a committee of their peers.

Participants are required to describe their safety programs in detail, including how they achieved safety excellence and why they believe they deserve the award. The Safety Awards Selection Taskforce, which is led by MCAA’s Safety & Health Committee, carefully evaluates each submission looking for safety leadership, an advanced safety culture, effective leading indicators of safety performance, and innovative safety initiatives that helped the company achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence.

MCAA and CNA congratulate BMWC Constructors, Inc. for achieving such a high degree of safety excellence in 2023.