Member Update

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.

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.

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.

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.

Episode #16: Diversity and Equity in the Industry

In Episode 16 of Let’s Talk Shop, host Angie Simon, CEO, Western Allied Mechanical, chats with Leah Rambo, Training Director and Fund Administrator at Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, about the diversity, women in the trade and inclusion opportunities in NYC and how she helps ensure there are opportunities in the trade to remain equitable and competitive.

SMACNA’s New Website Is Live!

SMACNA has launched a new website, focused on the needs of members and chapter executives while also serving to raise awareness of our industry. The site contains many new features and advantages outlined below.

TAB Contractor, EB&I, Helps Businesses in New Mexico Evaluate Their HVAC Systems

The pandemic helped create some amazing opportunities for contractors like Tony Kocurek, owner of Energy Balance &, Integration (EB&I), an Albuquerque, N.M.-based TAB business. In 2020, EB&I helped customers from hospitals to casinos address their changing HVAC system needs, not only to deal with extreme climate issues, but also due to the pandemic.

EPA Signs SNAP Rule 23

On April 23, the EPA signed the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Rule 23, which expands the list of substitutes for refrigeration and air conditioning.

Call to Members! Share Your Story with Us!

We’re asking you to share your company’s recent experiences with workforce development, community engagement and more.

OSH Professionals Can Help Small Contractors

Occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals are an excellent resource for construction firms with 20 or fewer employees facing ongoing challenges keeping their safety programs up to date.

NIOSH App Helps Track PPE

The NIOSH PPE Tracker mobile app can help employers in the construction industry keep track of their personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory. Facilities can use the app to calculate their average PPE consumption rate or “burn rate.”

SMACNA Board Approves Major Initiatives; Future Funding Requirements

In July 2019, the SMACNA Board of Directors agreed to commit resources to major new initiatives. The first and largest relates to workforce development. The Board agreed to a long-term program to improve the awareness of the HVAC / sheet metal industry and the opportunities it presents so that our industry is perceived by highly qualified candidates as an industry of choice for successful craft and non-craft professional careers.

Episode 31- A Conversation with Steve Zahm (Procore)

Angie Simon is joined by Steve Zahm, President and Chief Culture Officer with SMACNA Premier Partner Procore for the latest episode of SMACNA's podcast. 

2023 SMACNA Convention Interview: Hill Mechanical Group

Paul Cepek and David Rapp, representing SMACNA’s Safety Innovation Award winner, talk about the work their firm has done to protect their team. 

BE 4 ALL Graphics

2024 SMACNA Annual Convention Proposals Still Being Accepted

Submit your ideas for presentations that will cover relevant topics in HVAC, architectural sheet metal, industrial sheet metal, residential HVAC/sheet metal, and testing-adjusting-balancing.

Participate in the 2024 Partners in Progress Food Drive!

SMACNA and SMART are excited to support Second Harvest Food Bank in Central Florida and provide healthy and nutritious meals to families.

Video: Regulation of the Month: Implementing Executive Order 14063

New video from SMACNA Labor Relations discusses the project labor requirements for Federal Construction Projects.

Hire Vets Medallion Program Now Accepting Applications

DOL program recognizes employers for exceptional veteran-oriented hiring, employment and recruitment practices.

2023 SMACNA Convention Interview: Tamara Weaver (Modern Niagara)

Representative from the Canadian SMACNA Safety Excellence Award winner talks about their company’s total commitment to safety in the workplace.

New CEA Speaker Announced

Joesph Boddicker, Counsel, Federal & Int’l Tax Group, Alston & Bird to address attendees at the Washington DC event running May 6-8, 2024.

2024 BE4ALL Calendar on its Way to Contractors

Dates and detailed descriptions of various holidays and observances included in offering from SMACNA and SMART’s joint initiative.

Seeking Examples of Tracking, Dashboards, and Processes for Using Key Performance Metrics

The New Horizons Foundation, working with Penn State and a SMACNA contractor task force, is developing a guide  for implementing and managing a performance metrics program. 

Department of Treasury Releases Clean Energy Tax Credit Guidance

Production Tax Credit will reward facilities that meet domestic content requirements when working on clean energy projects.

New HGG Profiling Equipment Joins as Silver Associate Member

Learn more about this premier machine tool provider that specializes in plasma profiling of pipe, tube, and structural components.

Participate in Clean Room Installer Interest Survey

Effort is designed to gauge the interest and value of a "Clean Room Installer" certification for contractors and members involved in clean room work for pharmaceutical, high tech, aeronautical, or research areas.

Ask your Representative to Protect the Davis-Bacon Act

SMACNA is urging members to tell Congress to oppose H.J. Res. 103 which would repeal new Davis-Bacon Rules.