Archives: News Items

Need to Keep Your Workers Safe Around Heavy Equipment? This Video Can Help!

MCAA’s Heavy Equipment Safety Training Video reminds your workers that awareness is key to accident prevention when they are working around heavy equipment.

The video stresses the importance of:

  • Being aware at all times
  • Listening for backup alarms
  • Knowing what heavy equipment is operating nearby
  • Making sure equipment operators know where they are
  • Avoiding positioning themselves in any danger zones
  • Looking out for their coworkers

Download or play the video in English

Download or play the video in Spanish

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 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 Viega, FastEST 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 MegaPress® Stainless FittingsViega
Time-consuming piping system repairs can lead to longer downtimes and lost revenue. A Viega MegaPress® Stainless fitting can be installed in 7 seconds or less, to get production back online quickly.

Learn More

 

FastEST, Inc.
FastPIPE®, FastDUCT®, and FastWRAP™ — accurate, fast, and easy-to-use mechanical estimating software

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

Easy Installation, Reliable Service Lead Cannistraro to Name Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. as Supplier of Choice

When Cannistraro, Boston’s largest mechanical contractor, needed a drain system for their own new fabrication and manufacturing facility, they turned to Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® for a solution that was delivered on a just-in-time basis to avoid the need for storage and was easy to install quickly. The level of service Smith provided cemented Cannistraro’s decision to name Smith their supplier of choice.

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

Hackers Cripple Boeing with Ransomware

Nick Espinosa, Chief Security Fanatic and featured speaker at the upcoming MSCA18 Conference, gives a quick update about what happened and how MCAA and MSCA contractors are often targeted as access points for larger corporations. Update and patch your software so that you are not the easy prey for criminal hackers.

MCAA18 Focused on Education

MCAA, the Education Association, provided a variety of educational offerings during MCAA18 to advance members’ knowledge about new industry trends, technologies and practices. Whether they needed to develop or hone their leadership abilities, learn new business growth strategies, explore new building technology applications, discover strategies and methods to attract new talent or take a step back and take stock, experts on these topics and much, much more shared their insights and experiences. The goal of all MCAA18 sessions, and everything we do at MCAA, is to help you and your company succeed.

Achievements Were Honored at MCAA18

MCAA honored our members’ and future professionals’ achievements throughout the year and at MCAA18 with a variety of awards presented at our annual Awards of Excellence Breakfast. Congratulations to all of the award winners!

Michael A. Brandt Became MCAA’s President at the Close of MCAA18

Michael A. Brandt became MCAA’s President at the conclusion of MCAA18. He is the President & CEO of The Smith & Oby Company, a full-service mechanical and plumbing contractor located in Walton Hills, Ohio. Michael was elected to the MCAA Board of Directors in 2010. On a personal note, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Tina, and his two grown children, Matthew and Erica. He also enjoys golfing and traveling.

 

MCAA18 Photos Are the Best Ever and They’re Free!

Thank you for joining us in San Antonio for MCAA18! The best MCAA convention ever gave us the best photos ever! You can view, download and share great memories of our time together by visiting our SmugMug site. Best of all, they’re free! Ready to make new memories? See You in Scottsdale! MCAA19 is March 3-7, 2019 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

Here’s how it works:

  • Go to mcaa.smugmug.com and you’ll see the MCAA18 folder
  • Choose the gallery you would like to explore – there’s one for each day.
  • Choose a photo, then use your phone’s features to share or save it.
  • Once again the photos are free! For more options, visit mcaa.smugmug.com on your computer.

Ready to make new memories?

See You in Scottsdale! MCAA19 is March 3 – 7, 2019 at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge.

There’s Valuable and Timely Information in MCAA’s New WebBook Library

MCAA members can now access some of our most valuable publications from their desktop computers on our new WebBook platform. You will be able to read Management Methods Bulletins and other resources, take notes, print sections, and share with colleagues. And most importantly, when we have updated content, unlike a downloaded pdf, our WebBooks can be instantly updated behind the scenes while your notes are preserved securely on your computer.

Relationship-Building Was the Name of the Game at the MCAA18 Exhibits

Contractors continued to build relationships with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council and student chapter members during the annual exhibits. The Annual Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit highlighted well-known products and services as well as solutions that are just emerging to take on the anticipated challenges that lie ahead. The Student Chapter Exhibit provided members with another opportunity to meet students seeking their Great Futures in our industry.

MCAA Kicked Off Targeted Programming for Women Professionals at MCAA18

Our association’s leading women kicked off our Women in the Mechanical Industry forum with a networking reception. During the event, women learned how the forum will further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities beyond those already offered through membership in MCAA and MSCA. Women in the Mechanical Industry also sponsored a special session on two proven career advancement strategies measured to have the strongest payoff for women professionals.

Colorado State Wins Student Chapter Competition

The team from Colorado State University won the final round of the Student Chapter Competition at MCAA18, taking home the first prize and $10,000 for their efforts. Their proposal for the renovation of a New York City steakhouse beat out proposals from the Fairleigh-Dickinson University, the University of Washington and the Wentworth Institute of Technology.

Second place honors and a $5,000 prize went to the University of Washington team.

University of Washington is Student Chapter Competition Runner-Up MCAA18

 

The other two finalist teams, from Fairleigh-Dickinson University and the Wentworth Institute of Technology, took home checks for $2,500.

Teams from six additional universities received Merit Awards and checks for $1,000. They were:

  • Ball State University
  • Kennesaw State University
  • McMaster University
  • Iowa State University
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering
  • Illinois State University

MCAA President Fuller Opened MCAA18, Noting We Are ALL IN for the Future

MCAA President Greg Fuller opened MCAA18, saying “The amazing members of this Association never fail to go ALL IN. Each and every single one of you. We are the most involved, most dedicated, most generous membership anywhere, and have been for some time. And as a result, as an association, and as an industry, we are now seeing – we are now living – the benefits.” The convention’s Opening Session on March 26, 2018, included a presentation by Bestselling Author Malcolm Gladwell and the ever-popular president’s video.

Using Gaming Keyboard in BIM to Gain Productivity

During the 2017 MCAA Technology Conference, a session was held title, 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes.  It allowed attendees to share some of their best solutions that could be used to improve productivity.

The winning solution was a contractor that was using a gaming keypad made by Logitech that allowed BIM technicians to pre-program sequences into keyboard.  This allowed the repetitive tasks to be performed with single button clicks, saving time and monotony with each action.

In the video, Sean McGuire, MCAA’s Director of Construction Technology talks with DeWalt’s Josh Bone about the practical applications and how much time can be saved using the solution.

Although the keyboard featured in this video is a Logitech keyboard, there are many options available that offer programmable features.

Want to Connect with Students at MCAA18? Start at MCAAGreatFutures.org!

Looking for new talent to secure your company’s future? Hoping to connect during MCAA18? Start your research at MCAAGreatFutures.org.

A new search option helps you easily narrow your search to those candidates who are joining us at MCAA18. Look for it to the left of the Search by Keyword area, click the circle to select it and hit submit. Be sure to check back often… students are adding their resumes daily.

Additional Ways to Search

Looking for a specific skill like BIM or Autocad? Enter it into the keyword filter and you’ll get an instant list of students who fit the bill.

Prefer to search by university? We’ve got you covered – just select the university from the list and hit “Submit.”

Just want interns? Only looking for full-time professionals? The results can also be filtered by job type, so you can narrow them down depending on your needs.

Access to the resumes is exclusively for MCAA members, giving members first dibs on the talent the association’s Career Development Initiative has helped to nurture. To see candidate details, simply login with your MCAA.org username and password.

So reach out and get in touch. You may just find the next star employee to ensure your company’s great future!

The MCAA18 App Is Here!

Put the convention at your fingertips with the MCAA18 App! Find it with the keyword MCAA18 in the Apple App or Google Play stores or click the buttons below to download the app to your smart phone. Convention attendees have received an email with the password needed to view the app’s attendee list.

Give Your Supervisors the Tools They Need to Thoroughly Investigate Accidents – Get this Video!

MCAA’s Accident Investigation for the Mechanical Trades Safety Training Video provides your supervisors with step-by-step instruction on how to conduct a thorough accident investigation. It also helps them understand why accident investigations are so valuable.

The video outlines the importance of taking action when an accident occurs. This does three things:

  • Helps prevent other accidents
  • Shows workers that the company is committed to safety
  • Saves money

Download or play the video in English

Download or play the video in Spanish

There’s More…

Document supervisor training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Establish an effective investigation program for each project

Download the Model 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.

See BIM Do More With MCERF’s Complexity Measurement Tool (CMT) at MCAA18

“GO ALL IN” On Your BIM Efforts With MCERF’s CMT, a Free Revit Add-in! 

Are you attending MCAA18 in San Antonio? If so, you can see the CMT in action and ask questions of the software’s developer Brett Young (BuildingSP) during a session entitled Innovation for Virtual Design in Construction.

Download the MCERF CMT

If you have not yet downloaded MCERF’s  free Complexity Measurement Tool (CMT) onto your Revit stations, you are missing a unique opportunity to take your virtual design for construction (VDC) to the next level! The CMT, which is a Revit add-in, will allow you to visualize and quantify the amount of congestion and complexity in a designed space by generating heat maps whose colors and shadings change based on the amount of equipment or other objects in a given space. You can also export this information as data and use it as data analytics or to create metrics for your past, present, and future projects.

Still not convinced? Check out the accompanying CMT Video (shown above) featuring industry stakeholders who developed the CMT but who also use it on their projects.

The CMT is provided free for use by the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. 

This is a high-resolution output of a high-congestion area at the building core at 50% completed drawings (CD) using MCERF’s CMT. What types of metrics could you develop from such “heat map” images?

Metrics…and More!

MCERF’s CMT enables MEP practitioners to engage in new and exciting forms of building information analysis. It can provide metrics for questions such as:

  • How does congestion vary by project type?
  • How does congestion grow during design, coordination, and construction?
  • By what percentage do design models differ in routing from design through construction?
  • How do project scope changes alter congestion and affect coordination?
  • How does congestion vary down a corridor?
  • Which strategies help manage the most challenging congestion?
  • Which MEP congestion levels and characteristics support maintainability? Constructability?

Need Technical Help?

Contact Brett Young at BuildingSP

Have Other Feedback?

Contact MCERF’s Dennis Langley