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Register Now to Attend MCAA’s 16th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference

Register right away to participate in MCAA’s 16th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference. This conference is the mechanical industry’s single best safety and health educational and networking opportunity. It will be presented in Lake Buena Vista, FL (Orlando) January 22-24, 2019.

Attendees of this conference are predominantly occupational safety and health professionals from member firms and local affiliates, safety instructors from United Association locals, MCA local executives, and employees of member firms and local affiliates whose responsibilities include occupational safety and health.

The conference has grown in popularity and attendance each year since it’s inception. MCAA anticipates record attendance for the 16th consecutive year.

REGISTER

Brandt Impressed by Viega ProPress Efficiency

For the new Texas headquarters of a major worldwide corporation, Brandt Construction chose Viega for chilled water and domestic water—a “no-brainer,” because the company does nearly all its work with Viega product. “Viega is dependable, and Viega’s people in town support us really well,” said Craig Hawkins, project executive. “Pressing with Viega is tremendously efficient versus brazing or soldering. We’ve tried other similar products and had issues with them or the quality doesn’t seem to be as good as the ProPress®.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

MCERF Thanks Its Generous Supporters

MCERF has received three generous contributions in the past few days from Mechanical, Inc., Mid-Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association, and Harrell-Fish, Inc.

         

Each of these supporters has previously contributed to MCERF. Mechanical, Inc. contributed $2,500. Mid-Michigan MCA also contributed $2,500, and Harrell-Fish contributed $1,000. All three contributed online via the Foundation’s “Donate” button on its website.

MCERF President Mark Rogers said, “We are so thankful to each of these contributors and not just for the amounts they gave…but the fact they always find a way and take the time to support the Foundation is what makes them so exceptional!”

If you would like to know more about MCERF, please contact Dennis Langley.

Get All the Details for MSCA18!

We are just weeks away from the 33rd Annual MSCA Education Conference and have launched the MSCA18 phone App and digital program book, with access to all the details needed for a successful and inspiring experience at this year’s conference! Both the App and program book include detailed descriptions of the inspiring key note speeches, relevant peer group topics and powerful education sessions, as well as optional activities and extras that will be available throughout this information packed week.

With exclusive content and access to the conference attendee list, ability to directly message other conference attendees, download conference handouts and build personal conference schedules — the App is the perfect tool to navigate this year’s conference.  It is available in the Apple and Google Play stores using keyword MSCA18.

We have a lot of exciting things in store for this year’s conference and we are excited to share them all with all participants in just a few more weeks!

MCAA GreatFutures Forum A Huge Win-Win!

MCAA’s 2018 GreatFutures Forum (GFF) was held just blocks from “the happiest place on earth”. As it turned out, Anneheim, CA became a pretty happy place for quite a few MCAA members and MCAA student chapter members, as well! A definite win-win!

In a program that accentuated networking and developing relationships, MCAA kicked things off Thursday evening with a welcome from MCAA President Michael Brandt who urged the students to enjoy and fully participate in the program and all offerings ahead.

Next was an outstanding presentation by Alex Banayan, author of The Third Door.  Banayan has met and interviewed most of the world’s top 100 who’s who celebrities and power brokers in his 20-something years on this planet! Talk about a network!

Then, speaking of the happiest place on earth, MCAA took the students to Disneyland, providing them an unparalleled opportunity to network and get to know each other on a fun level. And, boy, did they ever!

Friday morning began with the 2nd annual bigger, better MCAA Job Fair featuring a great mix of contractors and manufacturer-suppliers reaching out to excited students looking for both internships and full-time employment. The Fair which began at 8:30 AM was still going strong when it wrapped up at 11:30 AM.

Also on Friday morning, MCAA held the inaugural meeting of its brand-new Student Chapter Presidents Advisory Council. This council was created to advise MCAA’s Career Development Committee (CDC) on student issues and concerns. The CDC wants the advisory council to provide direct student representation and input. It will meet in conjunction with MCAA’s annual GreatFutures Forum and convention, and possibly with other MCAA-sponsored venues. The goal is to have students become more exposed to and involved with MCAA opportunities in the mechanical contracting industry.

Students then visited nearby Southland Industries. Besides an hour-long tour of this new mega-facility, Southland provided barbecue and students were afforded a chance to listen to and question a panel of young people recently hired by MCAA members. Some students even said they enjoyed the tour more than the Disney trip…now, that was a good tour!

Then it was back to the Marriott for dinner and yet another amazing speaker, J. Kelly Hoey, author of Build Your Dream NetworkHoey revealed creative and surprisingly simple ways students could harness the power of their networks to accomplish their ambitions.

Saturday morning, Scott Hinton and Jeff Miller of Harrell-Fish, Inc., Bloomington, IN (donor of this year’s project) took students through the details of the MCAA National Student Chapter Competition. The 2018-2019 project is a proposal to be the prime contractor on the mechanical portion of the addition and renovation project of Indiana University’s Memorial Football Stadium. The top four scoring schools on this project will be invited to present and defend their proposals at the 2019 MCAA annual convention in Phoenix.

Closing out the 2018 GreatFutures Forum, James Benham, of JB Knowledge, Bryan, TX , mesmerized the attendees with his insights on technology that is currently impacting industry…and technologies yet to come! Benham shared his thoughts on how this would impact the attendees directly and how coming technologies may dramatically shape their future world of work.

Jon Finch of Milwaukee Tool who is the current Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee said, “I am so pleased with the outcome of this year’s GreatFutures Forum…now we start planning for next year!”

For more information about MCAA’s Career Development efforts or the GreatFutures Forum, contact Harlee Gallo, MCAA’s Director of Career Development.

 

 

Simplify Service Safety Training with these Tailgate Talks!

MCAA/MSCA’s Tailgate Safety Talks for Service Contractors – Volume I helps you deliver basic information about the most common hazards mechanical service workers face on the job and how to avoid them.

Topics covered include:

• Vehicle safety
• Falls from elevations
• Potentially hazardous substances like asbestos, carbon monoxide and airborne pathogens
• Fire and explosions
• Personal protective equipment
• Materials handling
• Electrical hazards
• Other hazards, like uncontrolled sources of energy, poor housekeeping, confined spaces and more

A worker safety training documentation sheet is also included to further simplify the process.

Download

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.

Explore the Latest from Viega, Lincoln Electric and More 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:

Viega MCAA Virtual Trade ShowViega
When it comes to your work, “good enough” isn’t good enough. With your reputation on the line, you don’t trust just any press system. You want the original ProPress®. Viega. Connected in quality.

Learn More

 
Lincoln Electric MCAA Virtual Trade ShowLincoln Electric
CrossLinc™ Technology and Flextec® multi-process welders from Lincoln Electric enable voltage control at the wire feeder, saving time while enhancing quality and productivity.

Learn More

 

Need Something Different?

No worries! There are many more smart solutions for you to explore 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 see 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 features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Muir-Chase Saves Caltech Gallons with High-Efficiency Zurn Urinals

Since Muir-Chase Plumbing installed Zurn Retrofit Pint urinal systems in every bathroom across campus, Caltech is saving 6,056,130 gallons of water and $42,393 per year. Californians know the value of every drop of water, and the world-renowned science and engineering institute in Pasadena recognizes the importance of being a responsible steward of water resources.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Students Glimpse GreatFutures in the Mechanical Industry

Our industry’s future leaders are getting a closer look at the field of mechanical contracting at MCAA’s 2018 GreatFutures Forum. MCAA President Michael Brandt welcomed everyone, and Career Development Committee Chair Jon Finch reviewed plans for the event, which includes a variety of education, the debut of a new Student Chapter Presidents Advisory Council, a job fair and a tour of Southland Industries.

Get Back to the Basics – People and the Project – at the Field Leaders Conference

Have you ever wished your field leaders were more focused on results? Would you like them to help grow your company’s profits and brand? The Field Leaders Conference gives them the skills they need to make those wishes come true.

Take it from Rick Gopffarth, Vice President of Dynamic Systems, Inc. (DSI), who said, “Getting back to fundamentals and understanding that mechanical contracting is a ‘people’ business are the key takeaways” that he and the 10 DSI superintendents who attended the Houston Field Leaders Conference garnered.

Eric White, DSI Piping Superintendent and a self-professed “kind of person who would rather have someone ‘get out of the way’ so I can do it myself,” found he needed to change his mindset and learn how to build a team, delegate and trust his crew to follow through. Inspired by Kevin Dougherty’s presentation, he has a new personal goal: getting his people to work with him, not for him.

First-time superintendent Luke Long found the session on the impact on profitability the most eye-opening. He learned that it’s his responsibility to dig into the job, review the specs and details and make certain everything is correct before turning the project over to his foremen. He appreciated the opportunity to attend the conference. He added that, building the skills of millennials like him, who want to work when they’re engaged in the project and involved in making decisions, is crucial to the future growth of the company.

Join Us in San Francisco

The next Field Leaders Conference will take place November 7-9, 2018 in San Francisco, CA. It’s a great time to reward your team members for a job well done and infuse your company with new energy for the year ahead.

Need to Create a Cranes and Derricks Safety Program? Start with this Model Program!

Many construction owners, general contractors, and construction managers require affected companies to establish written crane and derrick safety programs that minimize risk to their employees and ensure compliance with OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction safety standard. MCAA’s Model Crane Safety Program can be quickly and easily tailored to create your program. It makes development and implementation of such a program as easy and cost-effective as possible.

In addition to this model program, MCAA offers a safety bulletin summarizing OSHA’s Cranes and Derricks in Construction safety standard.

If you have any questions about this or any other safety resources, or about other occupational safety and health issues, please contact Pete Chaney.

Find the Latest from Milwaukee Valve, Applied Software and More 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:

Milwaukee Valve The Insulator/MSMilwaukee Valve Company, Inc.
INSULATOR/MS® from Milwaukee Valve is the only insulating ball valve handle that does it all – controls condensation, has reliable memory stop, and saves time since there’s no need to disassemble for adjustments.

Learn More


Applied Software MCAA Virtual Trade ShowApplied Software

Applied Software is the Southeast’s premier Autodesk software reseller, providing design technology planning, training, mentoring, and solutions to help clients improve project performance and workflows.

Learn More

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

Arden Engineering Constructors Slashes Man-Hours by 90 Percent with Trimble Scanner and Software

For a recent retrofit, Arden Engineering Constructors knew that an accurate as-built assessment of the project was essential to ensure a smooth process, so they put their Trimble® TX6 Scanner and RealWorks® Office software to the test. The scan took one field worker about 4 hours, compared with an estimated 32-man hours for manual measurements—a labor savings of 90 percent.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

MCAA GreatFutures Launches New Jobs Board

Is your company searching for great young talent to insure its future competitiveness? Are you looking to fill available internship and job openings? If so, MCAA just made your life a lot easier! Check out the new Jobs Board feature just added to MCAAgreatfutures.org.

This new feature was added to attract the best future industry talent. By giving its members direct access to the members of its 50+ Student Chapters, MCAA has found a way to connect the needs of its contractor members with those of its student chapter members. Can you say win-win?

So, how does an MCAA member post an employment opportunity on the Jobs Board? It couldn’t be easier! When employers go to the website the first time, they are asked to supply a company profile and details of any full-time, internship, or co-op opportunities. Student Chapter members have full access to browse the job board, and they can apply easily with their resume and their GreatFutures profile.

You can review already-posted student resumes on the GreatFutures website and reach out to any promising candidates you see there, and help them kick-start their great future…and yours!

For more information, contact Harlee Gallo, MCAA’s Director of Career Development.

Make Safety Training Easier with these Toolbox Talks!

MCAA’s Toolbox Safety Talks for Construction Contractors – Volume IV simplifies worker safety training with 52 talks, enough for a full year of weekly worker safety training.

Topics covered include:

  • Ladders and stairways
  • Vehicle safety
  • Wellness
  • Hazardous substances, such as hexavalent chromium and lead
  • Rigging
  • Electrical
  • PPE
  • Emergency preparedness
  • And more!

Instructions and a worker safety training documentation sheet are included to further simplify the process.

Download

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.

Explore the Latest from E.H. Wachs, Winsupply and More 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:


E.H. Wachs MCAA Virtual Trade ShowE.H. Wachs

E.H. Wachs manufactures portable weld prep machine tools used in construction and maintenance to cut, bevel, face and counterbore pipe and vessels. Available for purchase or rental.

Learn More

Winsupply
Because we bring national buying strength to local support directly to you.

Learn More

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

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. and Pan-Pacific/Murray Company Team Up for New LA Stadium

Close coordination with Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. is helping the mechanical design assist subcontractor Pan-Pacific/Murray Company (PPMC) tackle a tough job: building the NFL’s most massive stadium complex. At 3.1 million square feet, the Los Angeles Stadium and Entertainment District at Hollywood Park will house not just a 70,000-seat stadium but also a hotel, offices, retail spaces, residences, and restaurants.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

SAFETY RECALL – Specified Lot Codes of DBI-SALA 16 Ft. Talon Self Retracting Lifelines

3M Fall Protection is issuing a Stop Use and Recall Notice regarding the 3M™ DBI-SALA® 16 Ft. Talon™ Self Retracting Life Line. The company detected a small quantity of these lifelines that are defective due to an assembly error. There have been no reports of fall-related injuries associated with this. However, defective units would not arrest a fall, resulting in serious injury or death. Your immediate action is required.

Need Electrical Safety Training for Your Service Techs? Check Out this Video!

MCAA’s Electrical Safety in the Workplace Safety Training Video teaches your workers to recognize electrical hazards associated with HVAC units pushing 480V or less and perform their jobs safely.

Your workers will learn:

  • How to protect themselves from electrical shock and arc flash hazards
  • How to avoid the typical human errors associated with phase to phase or phase to ground contact
  • What types of equipment failures most frequently cause arc flashes
  • Why it’s important to observe appropriate protective measures and wear the right personal protective equipment
  • Standard safety boundaries for equipment pushing 480V or less
  • How the clothes you wear and the tools you use impact 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

Check Out these Related Resources

Download the Model Program

Download the Model Lockout/Tagout Program

Want 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.

Discover the Latest from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., Conex / Banninger and More 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:

 Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International MCAA Virtual Trade ShowJay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
Jay R. Smith, Mfg. Co. “Best In Class” Stainless Steel Grease Interceptors trap grease and grime at the source, are easy to clean and are built to outlast the competition.

Learn More

 

Conex / Banninger MCAA Virtual Trade ShowConex / Banninger
Benefiting from over 100 years’ experience in fittings manufacture and over two decades experience in press system design, >B< MaxiPro is set to revolutionize pipe jointing in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. The >B< MaxiPro range is brought to you by Conex Bänninger, a specialist in providing high quality fittings, valves and accessories across the globe.

Learn More

Need Something Different?

No worries! There are many more smart solutions for you to explore 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 see 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 features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS