Archives: News Items

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Aerial Lift Safety Training Video

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s Aerial Lift Safety Training Video, an easy way to help meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A92 aerial lift safety training requirements.

Topics covered include:
• The significance of aerial lift load capacities
• How to properly inspect and function test lifts before use
• What to do when there is a problem with a lift
• The appropriate fall prevention and protection requirements for the two different types of lifts
• Safe operating procedures

DOWNLOAD OR PLAY THE VIDEO

You might also like these supporting materials:

Meet MAPC’s New Board Members

Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors (MAPC) Executive Director Julie Walsh announced this week that Paul Christensen will serve as MAPC President with Brian Schultz as Vice President, Chris Behrendt, P.E., as Secretary, and Jesse Pertzborn as Treasurer.

Meet the team that oversees the MAPC’s efforts to provide its members with the best education, resources, safety practices, industry relations, and networking events possible.

Paul Christensen | MAPC President

Owner/CEO/Project Executive of 1901, Inc.

Christensen began working for 1901, Inc. when he was in high school before completing a five-year apprenticeship as a member of Steamfitters Local 601 before he became a Foreman. He was promoted to Project Manager in 2010 and purchased the company in 2011.

Brian Schultz | MAPC Vice President

Vice President & Plumbing Department Head of Hooper Corporation

Schultz, a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, has nearly 25 years of experience in the plumbing field. He became the Plumbing Department Head of Hooper Corporation in April of 2013. Schultz was then promoted to Vice President of the company in January of 2017.

Chris Behrendt, P.E. | MAPC Secretary

Construction Manager at J. F. Ahern Co.

Behrendt, also a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has nearly 19 years of experience in the construction industry, and has been serving as a Construction Manager with J. F. Ahern Co. for over seven years.

Jesse Pertzborn | MAPC Treasurer

Vice President of H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection

Pertzborn continues to carry on the family business started by his great grandfather, Henry Joseph Pertzborn, in 1928. He joined the family business as a master plumber and designer for H.J. Pertzborn Plumbing & Fire Protection in the mid 1990s. Pertzborn became Vice President of the company in April of 2014 following his father’s retirement.

To learn more about MAPC, visit the association’s website or contact Julie Walsh.

Fluke Recalling Certain Clamp Meters

Fluke is recalling certain models of its clamp meters. The first of the two recalls addresses meters manufactured at various times throughout 2019 and 2020. The concern is a manufacturing error that may render a safety function inoperable. The error could severely limit or eliminate protection against arc explosion, burns, or electric shock. To help protect your workers, determine whether your company has any of the affected clamp meters. If so, stop use of the meters immediately and follow the instructions for repair. LEARN MORE

The second of the two recalls addresses meters manufactured at various times throughout 2010, 2011, and 2012. In this case, the concern is a circuit assembly that may not be properly fastened, which could result in inaccurate voltage readings presenting shock, electrocution, and thermal burn hazards. LEARN MORE

Find Talent for Your Company’s Future Growth with the MCAA GreatFutures Jobs Board

MCAA members looking for talented young people to ensure their companies’ future competitiveness can get a helping hand from the MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board. Visit the board and login with your MCAA.org password to post your company’s internship and job opportunities. While you’re there, be sure to browse the student resumes to connect with potential matches. If you have any questions, please reach out to Megan Walsh.

Learn How to Best Identify Potentially Critical Issues from Former Enron Corp. CFO, Andrew Fastow at the 2021 MCAA Virtual Education Conference.

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from Andrew Fastow.

When is it acceptable to engage in a transaction that technically complies with the rules but may be misleading? Can a transaction that technically complies with the rules be considered unethical or illegal? Is it ever appropriate to depart from Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)? In “Rules Versus Principles” Fastow will cite examples of such transactions at major companies, discuss the rationalizations made by executives to justify their decisions and discuss examples of how these decisions can cause great harm to stakeholders.

Andrew S. Fastow was the Chief Financial Officer of Enron Corp. from 1998 – 2001. In 2004, he pled guilty to two counts of securities fraud and was sentenced to six years in federal prison. He completed his sentence in 2011 and now lives with his family in Houston, Texas. Fastow currently provides litigation support at a law firm and consults with public companies.

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021.

Registration is available for individuals and for companies (up to 10 registrants per company registration). Questions can be directed to eventregistration@mcaa.org. We look forward to seeing you in March!

Thank you, CNA for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA.

REGISTER NOW

Find the Latest from Nu Flow Technologies and Craftmark Pipe Markers 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:

Nu Flow Technologies
The Nu Drain System is used to rehabilitate aged or failing sewer, drain, vent and waste piping without digging, trenching or destruction inside buildings. This CIPP system can clean, line and reinstate pipes with diameters as small as 2”.

Learn More

Craftmark Pipe Markers
Craftmark is a world leader in Pipe Markers, Valve Tags, Equipment Signs and Safety Products for Leading Mechanical Contractors across the U.S. MCAA members receive a 40% discount on all pipe markers!

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

New Buyer’s Guide Is One of Many Ways to Connect with MCAA Supplier Partners

The newly updated 2021 Buyer’s Guide is one of many ways MCAA connects you with the supplier partners that make up your strategic supply chain. Take a look for detailed information about their products and services, then use the contact information inside to learn more.

DOWNLOAD

MCAA members can also learn more about our industry’s top manufacturers and suppliers in several other ways.

Find Out What’s New in the Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. Connect with participating companies for highlights and links to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest.

VISIT THE VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW

Connect with Manufacturer/Supplier Training Opportunities

As part of MCAA’s ongoing efforts to connect our contractor and manufacturer/supplier members, we have added a new Manufacturer/Supplier Training area on MCAA.org. Find it under the Resources menu. Visit any time to connect with the latest training opportunities from our supplier partners, including many virtual options.

VISIT

Learn from Contractor-Supplier Partnerships

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

MCAA Welcomes Steve Edwards, Chief Marketing Officer for Winsupply, Inc. in Sponsor Spotlight 13

In the thirteenth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Rick Gopffarth, MCAA Co-Vice President/Assistant Treasurer welcomes Steve Edwards, Chief Marketing Officer for Winsupply, Inc. the Win Family of Companies headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Steve Edwards joined Winsupply in 2006. He began his career as a broadcast journalist working at television stations in Cincinnati and Dayton. He has had communications positions of increasing responsibility at Paramounts Kings Island, NCR Corporation and LexisNexis. He has won several communications awards and has extensive experience in crisis communications. Edwards graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in broadcasting.

Scissors Lifts Load Sensing/Operation Issue

SkyJack, Genie, and possibly other brands of scissors lifts that have been outfitted with load sensors are experiencing problems. While the sensors help the user comply with the recently revised ANSI A92.20 standard’s load sensing requirements, the lifts’ new sensor systems allow the user(s) to elevate with an overload and may leave workers stranded at elevation.

This occurs when platform elevation is stopped at around 10 feet high or higher. The overload light comes on and the lift will no longer operate. Apparently, the load sensors are in the lift cylinder, so they cannot start measuring actual platform load until the main lift cylinder is almost vertical.

If your company is using these types of lifts, make sure your workers know the lifts’ load limits and have an alternative way to accurately calculate the total load (for example, their body weight(s) plus the weight of tools, materials, etc.).

It is also a good idea to have a plan to get the workers down safely if needed. This might involve proper use of the lifts’ rescue functions or use of another nearby lift.

Need the Bottom Line on OSHA’s Recent COVID-19 Guidance? MCAA’s Summary Has It

OSHA recently released guidance to help employers protect their workers and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the workplace. MCAA’s new summary highlights the bottom line items in the areas of COVID-19 Prevention Programs, Return to Work Criteria, Social Distancing Measures, Engineering Controls, Face Coverings and PPE, and Sanitization, Cleaning, and Disinfecting Practices.

LEARN MORE

What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws

Find the Latest from Trimble and Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® 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:

Trimble
Trimble MEP delivers sophisticated solutions that transform workflows from the office to the field. The Trimble Constructible Process allows specialty trades to build beyond BIM to automate fabrication and fieldwork with reliable construction data. With access to the largest library of manufacturers content and a broad portfolio of hardware and software solutions, Trimble optimizes the entire design, build, and operate lifecycle.

Learn More

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
An air gap is a vertical break between the supply pipe and the receiving source to provide backflow protection into the potable water system. This is required by code to prevent contamination of the potable water system. Optional finishes are chrome-plated brass (-CP) and nickel-plated brass (-NP).

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

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

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 12 Welcomes Greg Christopher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries

In the twelfth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Bob Bolton, MCAA Senior Vice President/Treasurer welcomes Greg Christopher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries. Mueller Industries, Inc. is an industrial manufacturer that specializes in copper and copper alloy manufacturing while also producing goods made from aluminum, steel, and plastics. It is headquartered in Collierville, Tennessee and comprises a network of operations in North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Greg Christopher is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mueller Industries, Inc. Joining Mueller in 1992, he has spent much of his career in varying leadership roles within the company. Throughout his profession, Greg’s deep belief in the importance of relationships has kept him actively involved with customers and industry associations, including MCAA. Greg grew up in the Upstate region of New York near Buffalo, and today resides in Germantown, Tennessee, with his wife, Angie, and their two children, Henry (21) and Sophie (21).

Congratulations to MCAA/Milwaukee Tool Safety Professional of the Year Cheryl Wiese

MCAA and Milwaukee Tool congratulate Cheryl Wiese for receiving the 2020 Safety Professional of the Year award, which was announced last month at MCAA’s 18th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference. Cheryl is the Safety Director for Modern Companies in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She leads the extremely strong safety culture across five divisions at five different locations throughout the Midwest. Cheryl and her team recently implemented a safety down day across four office locations to provide needed reminders and training to all the crews who were working more than 30 jobs. She ensured that the company’s senior leadership and project managers were actively involved in facilitating the safety training and reinforcing the company’s positive safety culture. Warmest congratulations to Cheryl from MCAA and Milwaukee Tool!

Transform Lessons Learned into Business Growth. Learn More from HVAC Contractors Scott Berger and Kip Bagley at the 2021 MCAA Virtual Education Conference.

As part of our Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, you will hear from two successful HVAC contractors, Scott Berger, President/COO of Arista Air Conditioning Corporation and Past Chair of the MSCA Board of Managers and Kip Bagley, Vice President Service with EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems and Past Chair of the MSCA Board of Managers on how they have been able to refocus their service sales priorities and implement unique and proactive strategies.

“Lessons from Best in Class Service Contractors – Leveraging Key Performance Indicators to Drive Results” explains how top service providers found a way not only to survive, but to grow during these constantly changing times. Building owners and facility managers are now more than ever dependent on their mechanical service provider to provide them with the latest information, innovations and recommendations for keeping their building occupants safe and healthy. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to re-educate your customers and reinvent your offerings.

Register today and join your MCAA friends and colleagues online at MCAA’s first Virtual Education Conference (VEC) Essential Learning for Unconventional Times, March 22 – 25, 2021.

Thank you LAARS, A Bradford White Company, for sponsoring this session and your continued support of MCAA.

REGISTER NOW

Find the Latest from XOi Technologies and Lochinvar, LLC 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:

XOi Technologies
Win More Stimulus Bids with XOi Vision
The recently passed relief bill granted $82 billion in funding to schools that can be used to repair and replace HVAC systems. Ensuring your company has true market differentiation is key to securing bids in a highly competitive market.

Learn More

Lochinvar, LLC
Refined and on-line, the KNIGHT XL remains the dependable workhorse with a new touchscreen control, increased thermal efficiency, 10:1 turndown and longer vent lengths than before.

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

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

North Mechanical Demonstrates that When it Comes to Fabrication, Efficiency Matters More than Size

In terms of productivity, the construction industry’s manufacturing has been lagging for years. Fabrication has increased output through robotics, lean principles, digitization and automation.

This has been hard to translate directly to the construction industry because every building, project and system is unique. Although similar techniques are used in every building, no two are the same and applying manufacturing concepts to the process has been a challenge.

In the second session of MCAA’s Fabrication Virtual Mini series, we are focusing on North Mechanical, an Indiana-based contractor that performs plumbing, mechanical and service. They operate a 20,000 square foot fabrication facility that drives tremendous productivity from a moderate space.

During a one-hour online session, North Mechanical will share video from their operations to demonstrate the tools, processes and techniques. Following the video, North’s VDC and Technology Manager, Trent Leinenbach and North’s Fab Shop Foreman, Tole Burnett will be joined by Sean McGuire, MCAA’s Director of Innovative Technologies and Adam Rich from GTP software to discuss and share technical details of the software integration.

The interactive discussion will share manufacturing concepts utilized at North, as well as how they are using new design software to get field drawings fabricated.

When: February 11, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Registration for the Fabrication Virtual Mini II – North Mechanical session is complimentary and limited to MCAA-members only.

SAVE YOUR SEAT

User Safety Notice for MSA’s Latchways Standard Self-Retracting Lifelines

MSA has issued a user safety notice to inform users of received field reports for a limited number of Latchways Standard Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRL) in which some internal bolts came loose. MSA has not received any reports of injuries associated with this condition. However, it is requesting that users perform the actions outlined in the notice. Over time, the loose bolts will be identifiable by the user as extraction of the cable from the SRL housing will no longer be possible. However, MSA’s investigation has determined that this may be preceded by a window of time in which a fall may not be arrested.

LEARN MORE

Need to Learn About the Changes Made to NFPA 70E for 2021? Join Our Webcast on February 9th

Join us for a 45-minute executive summary of the key changes to the NFPA 70E 2021 standard, free for MCAA/MSCA members. The instructors will also provide critical updates from OSHA on how they intend to enforce electrical and arc flash safety in 2021. There will be two webcasts on February 9th. The first webcast will be presented from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. ET. The second will be presented from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. ET.

BROCHURE

REGISTER

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 11 Welcomes Ashley Martin, Senior Vice President of NIBCO INC.

In the eleventh episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series Robert Beck, MCAA Co-Vice President/Assistant Treasurer welcomes Ashley Martin, Senior Vice President of Sales and an officer of the Board of Directors of NIBCO INC. NIBCO is the worldwide leader in the manufacture of plumbing fittings and valves. The company has been headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana since its inception in 1904. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Ashley Martin began her career with NIBCO as a sales trainee in 2012. Her other positions have included director of Distribution and Transportation, general manager of the PEX product line and vice president of Wholesale Sales. In her current role, Martin is responsible for overseeing Wholesale, Retail and Specialty Sales, Business Development, Marketing Communications and Customer Service. Martin co-founded the American Supply Association Women Industry group in 2013. She served a two-year term as chairperson, beginning in 2016. She currently serves on the Boards for the Indiana United Way, the United Way of Elkhart County and the Stanley Clark School in South Bend, Ind. She is also a member of the Notre Dame Business Advisory Council. Martin received her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind. She holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in strategy and operations management from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Prior to earning her MBA, Martin studied at the Copenhagen Business School in Denmark.