November 2018
"Be the change that you want to see in the world."
-- Ghandi

Lifesaving Tips When Facing an Active Shooter
It is a scary time for us all as the number of mass shootings and active shooters in communities continue to increase.  We never expect it to happen to us, and then it happens in our own backyard in Middleton on September 19, 2018.  M3 Insurance put together  35 Lifesaving Tips when Facing an Armed Intruder or Active Shooter at your Construction Company or Jobsite .


Construction Safety Regulators Ramp Up Silica Rule Enforcement
One year into the new federal requirements protecting construction workers from inhaling silica dust, safety inspectors found 640 violations. The federal and state violations show OSHA expects contractors to adhere to the newest construction mandate. While enforcement continues, OSHA is considering revising which methods are acceptable for reducing exposure to the dust. The agency may ask for suggestions as early as December. Click here to read the complete article. 
 
 
New EPA Ruling to Revise Refrigerant Regulations Again
On October 1, 2018 the EPA issued a new ruling that will revise refrigerant regulations again. One significant change is to rescind the refrigerant management requirement of subpart F (sales restriction) from substitute refrigerants. The removal of this sales restriction would enable anyone (do-it-yourselfers) to purchase substitute refrigerants. You can review the ruling and comment HERE. Comments are due no later than Thursday, November 15, 2018.
 
 
OSHA Updates National Emphasis on Trenching & Excavation Safety
Effective October 1, 2018, OSHA has updated its National Emphasis Program on trenching and excavation safety by adding a national reporting system for all OSHA trenching and excavation inspections by updating guidance for recording these inspections in the agency's internal data management systems; and the update requires OSHA area offices and regions to develop and implement outreach programs supporting the NEP.  Click here to read more.

Additional News Articles:

Voters Approve $1.2 Billion of School Referendums in Wisconsin
Voters in Wisconsin approved more than $1.2 billion worth of school-construction projects on election day and put the state well within reach of their previous record. Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District topped the list with their $138.9 million plan calling for construction of a new elementary school and renovations to other district buildings.  Click here to see the School Referendum Results.

J.F. Ahern Co. Promotes Tony Ahern to Company President & COO

On November 1, Tony Ahern became J.F. Ahern's company President and Chief Operating Officer. Tripp Ahern relinquished his president title but will remain CEO. In the Milwaukee area, Bob Fischer, Executive Vice President of their Milwaukee Division, has announced his retirement effective October 31, 2019. Tim Schneider will take over these reins upon Bob's  retirement.  Click here to read more about the promotions.


Waldinger Corp. and Commercial Air, Inc. Join Forces

Waldinger Corporation entered the Wisconsin market when they acquired Commercial Air, Inc. on September 1. Waldinger, founded in 1906, is a full-service mechanical and electrical contractor with offices in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Tom Duffy will serve as Waldinger's Regional Service Manager in Wisconsin. Dale Carmichael now serves as the Regional Operations Manager.  Click here to full coverage of the merger.


1901, Inc. Promotes Justin Wiemer to Vice President
Justin Wiemer moves into the role of Vice President of 1901 Mechanical & Plumbing. Wiemer started his career at 1901, Inc.
 as a Project Manger and HVAC Designer in 2014. He has more than 12 years of experience in the construction industry including project management, design of HVAC systems, construction administration, and commissioning.    Click here for more on 1901, Inc's promotion.

31st Annual Heat's On A Huge Success
Madison Area Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC)  and  Steamfitters Local 601  had nearly 50 members service 60 homes of veterans at the  31st Annual Heat's On  event on Saturday, October 13, 2018.  During the event, two furnaces were found leaking carbon monoxide into their homes.   1901, Inc.  replaced one of the furnaces with a complimentary furnace from  Temperature Systems Inc.    All Comfort Services  replaced the other one with a donated  Lennox  furnace.  All of the labor and supplies for the furnace checks were completely complimentary to the veteran homeowners.  Click here for a complete recap of Heat's On.


MSC/MAPC Donates To RMHC-Madison's Building On Hope Campaign
Madison Area Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors, Inc. (MAPC) raised $5,500.00 during their 20th Annual Golf Scramble at Bishops Bay Country Club last August, and presented a check to Ronald McDonald House Charities - Madison for the Building on Hope capital campaign. Building on Hope is a new expansion to the original Ronald McDonald House, nearly doubling in size and increasing the homes capacity from 18 to 31 rooms.  Click here for the complete story.

Prepare to "Fall Back" by Checking Home Detectors

November 12-16, 2018
November 14, 2018 
BTC Labor/Management Meeting
November 19, 2018
Sponsored by MSC/MAPC
November 22-23, 2018
MSC/MAPC Office Closed for Thanksgiving
December 4, 2018
MSC/MAPC Christmas Dinner - Nakoma Golf Club
December 13, 2018
MSC/MAPC Christmas Party - Thirsty Goat
December 24-25, 2018
MSC/MAPC Office Closed for Christmas
December 31, 2018 - January 1, 2019
MSC/MAPC Office Closed for New Year's
February 20, 2019
February 28, 2019
MSC/MAPC - Foreman Training by Nic Bittle
March 3-7, 2019
March 11-13, 2019
Wisconsin Biennial Apprenticeship Conference
April 28-30, 2019
October 9, 2019
MSC/MAPC - Field & PM Training by John Koontz

We continue to look for events and speakers that will keep our members up-to-date and educated on the latest information pertaining to our industry.  Here are a few opportunities for you and your employees:

Nic Bittle Trains Our Foremen To Develop Our Workforce
1901, Inc. 
Harker Heating and Cooling , General Heating and Air Conditioning Hooper Corporation  and J. F. Ahern  registered their foremen and supervisors to attend 'A Foreman's Field Guide to Developing Your Workforce' Workshop featuring keynote speaker, Nic Bittle, on September 13.  Nic discussed the 4 Core Competencies the next generation needs to know to be successful in the construction industry, how to effectively manage criticism, how to deal with conflict as a leader, how much time do you lose due to communication issues, and much, much more!  It was such a great day of training that we're bringing Nic back on
February 28, 2019!


Onboarding New Employees
General Heating and Air Conditioning's Jeff Hansen and J.F. Ahern's Jeremy Brunhoefer will share best practices for bringing new employees into construction firms and onto project sites at the next OSHA Construction Workshop entitled "Onboarding New Employees". This event will be held on Friday, December 14 from 7-9 a.m. at the Wisconsin Safety Council Building. Click here to register for the event.


Dale Carnegie Leadership Development 
The next Dale Carnegie Leadership Development Course will be held in Madison on Tuesday, January 15, 2019. If you register for this program, mention you are a member of MSC/MAPC, and receive a 10% discount.  Click here for more information.

Best Customer Service Practices
  • Offer products that meet or exceed expectations
  • Honor business appointments
  • Provide transparent and accurate costs
  • Ensure employees have deep product knowledge
Ways To Delight Your Customers
  • Know your customer's name
  • Know your repeat customers
  • Talk to customers like they are part of your family
  • Provide personal recommendations based on their specific needs/interests
  • Send thank you cards or gifts of appreciation
  • Listen
  • Demonstrate empathy
HAVE ANYTHING NEWSWORTHY?

We will happily consider putting newsworthy information in the next issue of The Pipeline!
Contact Kim Chacos at [email protected].

Deadline for February 2019 Pipeline:  January 15, 2019

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Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC)
Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors (MAPC)
5940 Seminole Centre Court, Suite 102
Madison, WI   53711
608.288.1414
608.288.1515 - fax