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COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Contractors

 Collectively and quickly responding to this pandemic is the most important immediate issue we face as an industry. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and easily implemented tool now at our disposal to battle the pandemic and return to a normal life at home and on the job. The following resources will help contractors to educate employees and encourage a healthy and vaccinated workforce.

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Welcome New SMACNA Members

Don’t Take the Bait from Phishing Scammers

Phishing emails are sent by scammers to try to gain access to basic information from users. Once they have this, they may be able to infiltrate your email, I.T. network, bank account, or other accounts. Even the use of spam filters may not be enough to catch every phishing email that tries to sneak into your inbox.

Human Dimensions Assessment of Top-Performing Personnel

This study from the New Horizons Foundation identified the human dimensions (personality, emotional intelligence, and behavioral traits) of key job roles within SMACNA contractors. The study uncovered a lot about the top 10% of performers among Project Managers and Field Leaders.

Participate in a New NHF Study on Project Risks

Over the past several years, the project risk environment has become substantially more one-sided and challenging with risk shedding efforts by CMs, GCs, and designers. This alarming and apparent trend has in turn created significant impacts on trade contractors, including SMACNA members.

Avoid Workplace Hazards with Slip, Trip, and Fall Controls

Each year, thousands of workers are injured or disabled as a result of slips, trips, and falls, which may occur anytime, anywhere, or to anyone. These injuries could create long-lasting complications for workers who sustain them, and unfortunately, they are not uncommon occurrences in the workplace — about 20 to 25 percent of all occupational-injury accidents involve slips, trips, and falls.

Contractor Spotlight Video: R.F. Knox Company, Inc.

R.F. Knox Company, Inc. is a fourth-generation straight-line sheet metal business based in Atlanta, Georgia. SMACNA met with Jack Knox, president, and his team about the company’s commercial HVAC work, which makes up 85% of its business.

Webinar: The Steel Pricing Crisis

With the price of steel rising steadily and showing no signs of dropping soon, many contractors are left facing situations where profits on projects are suffering. SMACNA designed this webinar to provide the critical information our members need to come up with practical solutions when facing profit loss due to the current price of steel.

Why Not to Specify the Density of Thermal and Acoustic Duct Insulation Used in HVAC Ductwork

This technical resources bulletin explains the importance of specifying performance parameters for insulation and why not to specify the density of thermal and acoustic duct insulation used in HVAC ductwork.

SMACNA Greater Chicago

SMACNA Greater Chicago provides a common voice in legislative issues and labor relations for contractors involved with HVAC, architectural sheet metal work, roofing, TAB, retrofit and other projects, providing members with the latest training, education, news and services criticall to maintaining their edge in the sheet metal industry.

Contractors Embrace Upfront Strategies for Gaining Efficiency

Steve Otis, virtual design and construction supervisor with mechanical contractor Hermanson Company, offers a unique description of the business of construction.

Design-Build Delivers Best Possible Outcomes

Being an engineer and running a full mechanical contracting company, I appreciate the benefits of bringing together architects or engineers and different trades to discuss projects before they are on the jobsite.

Is an ESOP the Right Succession Plan Option for Your Company?

When planning the succession of your construction company, one of the first questions to ask is ‘How do I envision the company after my ownership exit? If your goal is keeping the company intact — and possibly retaining your leadership position — relinquishing control to a third party is not an option.

Prevailing Wage, Buy American, Energy Efficiency and Labor Standards Efforts

Bills that will benefit energy efficiency and increase SMACNA contractor market opportunities are also under consideration. There is an encouraging amount of focus on federal labor standards favorable to SMACNA members in infrastructure and energy bills. 

The Harder Work: Leading Toward a Preferable Future

Without a compelling vision, leaders often feel they are alone and on their own, the only one pedaling while everyone else is along for the ride. It can be crushing and leads to bitterness and resentment toward employees. 

Welcome New SMACNA Members

New SMACNA members as of June 2021.

HVAC: WSCC’s Summit Expansion a Peak Project for Contractor

The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC), the premier meetings and events facility in the Northwest, is doubling in size with its new Summit building in downtown Seattle. 

5 Ways to Reduce Administrative Burden for Office, Shop and Field Employees

Redundant work, convoluted processes and inefficiencies do more than cause frustration, they waste time and money, ultimately negatively affecting your business’s bottom line. Implementing construction technology to improve operations reduces administrative burden, freeing employees to focus on their key job functions. 

Choosing the Right Metal for Architectural Design

Stainless steel will never corrode or rust. Aluminum is too expensive for many applications. And zinc is quick to deteriorate. L. William “Bill” Zahner III said those beliefs are common among architects and designers in the architectural metals industry. They’re also wrong. 
 

Organizational Adoption of New Technologies: Best Practices for SMACNA Contractors

SMACNA members are eager to adopt new technologies, operational processes, and business strategies. Yet the implementation of organizational change – defined as an intentional, company-level adoption of new practices, technologies, or management approaches – can be extremely difficult. This white paper identifies the top eight most effective technology implementation management practices.

Webinar: Leveraging Technology & Innovation to Gain a Competitive Edge

This exclusive event provided attendees with strategic information that will benefit their companies as they plan future investments in new technology, or in some cases, a full digital transformation.

Baseball Analogies to Help Improve Your Team

Contractors can learn a lot from the teamwork that goes into creating a winning sports team. Angie Simon, CEO of Western Allied and SMACNA President, delves into how she applies the lessons she learned on the field playing competitive softball to how she runs her business “off the field” to successfully grow it from a $40 million business to the $110 million contracting giant it is today.

ENR Specialty Contracting Today: Preparing for the Future

In the article, "Navigating Current Challenges and New Opportunities, " construction and association leaders report new areas of growth, lessons, learned and some concerns as we emerge from the pandemic. SMACNA CEO Vince Sandusky is featured in the article. 

OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary COVID-19 Standard

This new emergency temporary standard has been put in place to protect healthcare workers from the coronavirus, while offering additional guidance to employers and workers in other industries to protect those who are still not vaccinated.

Now Available - Ventilation Verification Webinar

Hear directly from several industry experts on the benefits of adding Ventilation Verification to your existing service offerings and how already familiar TAB skills and techniques can play an important role in offering this service to clients.

Updated Contracts Bulletins Help Contractors Mitigate Risks

SMACNA’s updated contractor bulletins are designed to help members mitigate risks as pricing spikes and material shortages continue to impact their businesses. Shifting the Risk of Rising Material Costs; Force Majeure Provisions – Covid 19; and Force Majeure – A Clause for Our Times contain useful information to help contractors determine the language they should include in new contracts to protect themselves against unforeseen risks.

Vaccine Policies for Contractors

Many contractors have inquired about the best COVID-19 vaccination policy to adopt, what legal pitfalls might exist for mandatory versus “strongly-encouraged” policies. Learn about both your rights as an employer, employees’ rights, the role the union plays in negotiating mandated policies and OSHA guidelines in this important and timely presentation.

The CEO Role, Leadership Transitions & DNA Statements with Angie Simon

The Construction Leading Edge Podcast series helps construction business owners streamline their operations, harmonize workflows, eliminate chaos and maximize revenue. In this episode, host Todd Dewalt speaks with Angie Simon about the future of the industry, why leaders need to help change people’s perception of it, and what she and her team are doing to find and groom the next generation of sheet metal workers and leaders.

Get the SMACNA-SMART Brand Ambassador Program Recruiting for You

Encouraging apprentices to become Brand Ambassadors is one way to help elevate awareness of careers in the sheet metal industry. Brand Ambassadors proactively spread the word about the advantages of SMACNA and SMART careers to friends and family. Industry ambassadors help elevate awareness of careers in the sheet metal industry and also help increase our market share of new apprenticeships while helping to shrink the growing industry labor shortage gap.

May PinP: SMACNA-SMART Celebrate 75 Years of Partnering

The May issue of Partners in Progress completes the third installment in a three-part series exploring the history of labor-management partnerships, including the programs and initiatives that have strengthened the SMACNA–SMART partnership. Plus, learn about the ‘e-volution’ currently sweeping the sheet metal industry.

Contracts Bulletin #65 (2.0): Force Majeure – A Clause for Our Times

Updated June 3, 2021. When a contract contains either rewards or penalties for meeting deadlines, force majeure clauses are essential. Otherwise, the contractor will be held accountable for meeting a deadline, even if the delay is caused by forces outside its control.

Let's Talk Shop, Episode 17

Chuck Gulledge on Leading Through a Pandemic

Contracts Bulletin #110 (2.0): Shifting the Risk of Rising Material Costs

Updated June 2021. Even in the best of times, material shortages and changing prices are disruptive. Commodities, such as asphalt, copper, steel and other materials are subject to global pressures and price fluctuations. More than ever, contractors need to protect themselves from changes in material prices.

Contracts Bulletin #118 (2.0) : Force Majeure Provisions: COVID-19

Updated June, 2021. Over the last year, many industries have experienced supply delays and workforce shortages resulting from the spread of COVID-19. The construction industry certainly was not immune to these issues. The current situation serves as a good reminder to review and understand contract provisions that cover unforeseen construction delays.

Episode #17: Chuck Gulledge on Leading Through a Pandemic and the Future of Our Industry

The pandemic forced industry leaders to connect virtually, and in some cases, meant more “face” time with members than might have occurred under the previous in-person-meeting model. While most organizations are eager to resume onsite, in-person meetings, the pandemic presented an opportunity to connect with members in a way never before explored. ASHRAE President Chuck Gulledge explains. Plus, how technology will continue to disrupt our industry, resulting in increased innovation and better air quality.

Contractors Required to Negotiate Before Unilateral Change to Working Conditions

The NLRB found that a workplace rule change constituted a material, substantial, and significant change in employees’ terms and conditions of employment in violations of their rights under the NLRA.

Employers May Offer Vaccine Incentives

Updated EEOC guidelines note that EEO laws do not preclude employers from offering incentives to employees who voluntarily provide proof of a COVID vaccinations. Vaccination information must be kept confidential and remain in compliance with all federal disability laws and other protections against discrimination.

Help Raise Awareness About Building Safety

Building Safety Week topics include energy and innovation, training, safety, and disaster preparedness. Modules are available online and can be completed at your own pace, anytime and anywhere from the convenience of your computer. A free Campaign Toolkit includes template resources, such as news releases, advertising, and pre-written social media posts to help drive awareness of building safety topics in your community.

Spring Issue of SMART Journal Available Online

The Spring issue of SMART includes a special focus on building back the union and explores how the Biden administration is positively impacting the industry. The issue also highlights TABB contractors on the frontlines and the SMART–SMACNA diversity initiative.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

The Treasury Department is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. 

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

The top priorities at DOT are to keep the traveling public safe and secure, increase their mobility, and have our transportation system contribute to the nation's economic growth.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces more than 180 federal laws. These mandates and the regulations that implement them cover many workplace activities for about 150 million workers and 10 million workplaces. 

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) protects the retirement incomes of over 34 million American workers in private sector defined benefit pension plans. PBGC was created by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to encourage the continuation and maintenance of private sector defined benefit pension plans, provide timely and uninterrupted payment of pension benefits, and keep pension insurance premiums at a minimum.

Federal Acquisition Regulation Council

The Department of Defense (DoD), GSA, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly issue the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for use by executive agencies in acquiring goods and services.