MCA Chicago recently gifted its members a box designed in the shape of a small safe that holds a combination of instructional materials, paycheck stuffers, a record-keeping guide, hard-hat stickers, safety glasses, and a vest.

CHICAGO — The Mechanical Contractors Association Chicago is providing its member companies a combination of tools to reinforce a safe workplace culture.

A box designed in the shape of a small safe holds a combination of instructional materials, paycheck stuffers, a record-keeping guide, hard-hat stickers, safety glasses, and a vest.

“MCA Chicago member companies continue to work with Local Union 597 Chicago Pipe Fitters to strengthen safety on the jobsite,” said Stephen L. Lamb, executive vice president, MCA Chicago. “The latest psychological research shows that if workers perceive their union places a strong belief in a safe workplace, the workers are more highly motivated to work safely. Living our lives and working each day with safe practices at our core allows us to enjoy higher productivity, produce less waste, and ensure our costs are competitive.”

MCA Chicago will also pilot a new leadership training program in the fall of 2012 with LU 597. Designed by Colorado State University — under the auspices of The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), and funded by a grant from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — the pilot will develop leaders among the LU 597 journeymen and apprentices to promote a safety culture. Initial research by the university shows that overall leadership training is highly effective at creating commitment to the organization and the safety of its members. In its third year of development, the pilot will also be tested in Denver. Once the pilot is complete, it is expected the program will be condensed and offered at a national level as part of United Association apprentice training.

BMWC Group Inc. of Indianapolis was one of nine MCA Chicago companies who had no recordable accidents for calendar year 2011. They received the MCA Chicago Safe Workplace Award in the one million-hour plus category.

BMWC also received the Mechanical Contractors Association of America Safety Award for contractors with more than one million work hours. Designed and implemented with a consultant, a behavioral-based safety system used by Chicagoland field workers reduced jobsite recordable injuries by 60 percent in its first year of use. A related program, designed and implemented by BMWC Group, named “Safety for Life” focuses on personal and professional choices with an emphasis on safety beginning with family and the home.

Publication date: 7/30/2012