COVID-19 is forcing HVACR service providers to change their business operations. We know it’s a monumental task to stay on top of the lastest news, research findings, regulations, and opportunities. Yet it’s critical to be informed about resources and information that can help to keep your business going and help you serve your customers and staff in the best way possible.
That’s why MCAA has developed some valuable resources to zero in on what HVACR companies need to know.
Here’s a look at some of the vital information that’s available to you.
COVID-19 Contingency Plan Webinar Series
WEBINAR #1: Safely Working Remote
MCAA’s cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa provides an extensive presentation on ways to work remotely while protecting your company’s data. He discusses best practices for working offsite, including setting up a virtual private network (VPN) and making sure that a standard set of best practices are in place to protect your company’s digital assets.
Watch the webinar recording here
WEBINAR #2: Continuity of Business Operations for Trade Contractors
Many organizations are struggling to handle the deluge of information during this troubling time. Knowledge is power, but deciding to act is a critical component for the survival of your business. Making business decisions and having a clear line of communication is crucial to keeping remote teams informed. The technology available for contractors of all sizes creates an opportunity to facilitate communication and maintain steady work where appropriate.
Learn about the tools available through your current platform and others being offered by technology companies free of charge to adapt to working remotely. In this time of crisis, leadership from all levels is critical.
Jeff Sample, Director of Strategic Accounts for eSUB and ConTech Crew Co-host provides an enlightening and open discussion.
Watch the webinar recording here
WEBINAR #3: Shifting Work From the Jobsite
The COVID-19 crisis is forcing contractors to perform work in challenging new ways. This webinar focuses on two scenarios that will become more likely in the weeks ahead – forced remote work with no job site activity and one in which job sites might be shut down and fabrication facilities remain open. We discuss how to prepare staff to work remotely, what work can be prioritized to be done remotely and how to utilize fabrication space safely to keep projects progressing.
This panel includes Jonathan Marsh, MEP Innovation Lab; James Benham, CEO of JBKnowledge; Sean McGuire, MCAA Director of Innovative Technologies; and Josh Bone, Director of Industry Innovation at NECA.
Watch the webinar recording here
WEBINAR #4: Guidelines for COVID-19 to Help Protect Industry Workers
The UA, MCAA, ASSE and IAPMO have joined forces to bring our collective memberships information to be able to understand the risks of COVID-19 and show you the best ways to help prevent the spreading the virus among our pipefitters, plumbers, service technicians, sprinklerfitters, steamfitters and apprentices. Evaluating the exposures, understanding the risks and learning the most appropriate protective measures will help prepare you to establish an effective plan.
Plumbers Local 75 member, Senior Director at IAPMO and ASSE, Scott Hamilton, describes the best-known safe work practices for helping mechanical industry workers avoid exposure to COVID-19.
Watch the webinar recording here
WEBINAR #5: Implementing Paid Leave Requirements Under the New FFCRA
The new Family First Coronavirus Response Act took effect April 1, 2020 and with it comes temporary requirements that will impact MCAA member companies who employ 500 or fewer employees.
Katie Amin and Michael Kreps, both principals of Groom Law Group, along with John McNerney, MCAA general counsel, discuss which employers must adhere and who is eligible under the new act currently set to expire December 31, 2020.
Watch the webinar recording here
WEBINAR #6: HVACR/Plumbing Best Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic
Join a panel of leading contractors for an informative presentation and discussion of important strategies to help your company deal with the current coronavirus situation. Panelists will discuss the role of HVACR/plumbing companies as essential services, crucial safety issues, impact on customers, the financial realities and a number of technical recommendations for mechanical/plumbing systems. Attendees will be able to submit questions and receive the Best Practices document. This webinar is one of three being developed by MSCA to help provide guidance to member companies during these unprecedented times.
Watch the webinar recording here
WEBINAR #7: The Effects of COVID-19 on Construction Contracts – Notice, Contract Clauses, Schedule and Productivity Impacts
MCAA will host panelists Paul Stynchcomb, CCM, PSP, CFCC, of The Ibbs Consulting Group, Professor William Ibbs, Ph.D. of The Ibbs Consulting Group and Douglas L. Patin, a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, a national construction law firm that serves mechanical trades, as they discuss ways to maneuver through contract clauses and analyses of various impacts that may arise due to COVID-19.
The panel will discuss pandemic-related subjects of contractual rights and remedies, force majeure clauses, proper and timely notice, applicable case law, impacts to the procurement chain, schedule impact analyses and potential adverse effects of the pandemic on labor productivity caused by crew disruption, absenteeism, materials and equipment unavailability and other potential effects of the pandemic. MCAA members will be able to submit questions for our hosts to answer at the conclusion of the webinar.
Wednesday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m. EST
WEBINAR #8: COVID-19 OSHA Enforcement Preparation
As positive cases of COVID-19 increase around the nation there is speculation that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will increase its enforcement efforts. The agency will want to ensure that employers are making a good faith effort to help protect their workers from contracting the virus. California, which is an OSHA state-plan-state, has already started COVID-19 related enforcement actions. OSHA does not have a regulation or standard for COVID-19. However, the agency can cite and fine employers using the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970’s general duty clause, and several other generic regulations and standards.
Join us to learn about what’s anticipated, and how to prepare for it. The webinar presenter is occupational safety and health attorney, and long-time MCAA friend, Adele Abrams. Adele will also cover the OSHA record-keeping issue involving COVID-19 cases.
Friday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m. EST
Employee Compensation, Sick Leave, and Benefits
COVID-19 FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT (FFCRA) Q&A
This document helps to explain questions about worker compensation and sick leave as mandated U.S. Department of Labor regulations.
FFCRA PAID LEAVE ELIGIBILITY CHART
The Colorado Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors shared this resource (approved by their legal team) with MCAA’s members to help determine an employee’s paid sick leave, paid family medical leave and unemployment insurance eligibility.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans for Employers
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here’s some guidance provided by Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury, that addresses borrower and lender questions
concerning the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), established by section 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.
HVACR Operational Best Practices during COVID-19
MSCA HVACR AND PLUMBING BEST PRACTICES DURING COVID-19
Read the 40 steps your business should be taking to operate safely and communicate effectively with employees and customers during the COVID-19 crisis.
MILWAUKEE TOOL, is sharing guidelines with MCAA members regarding the proper cleaning and disinfecting of tools.
Health and Safety Resources
Understanding how to operate safely during the pandemic is critical not only to keep employees and customers safe, but to do your part to contain the outbreak. Here are some trustworthy sources of information.
MCAA COVID-19 FACILITY CLEANING AND DISINFECTING GUIDELINES
MCAA SAFETY TALK: CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
UA: GUIDELINES FOR WORKER HEALTH
CDC Guidance on the Use of Cloth Face Coverings
MCAA’s COVID-19 Resource Center
Stay up to date on the latest news and resources for our industry: visit MCAA’s COVID-19 Resource Center.
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