Committee Administration

Education

Safety Department

Publications

MBA Monthly Newsletters
The Master Builders' Association offers two newsletters - The Capsule Report and The Legislative News. Both publications are beneficial to the construction industry in Western PA.

The Capsule Report:
The MBA is "the voice" of the construction industry in Western PA. The voice is heard monthly through the MBA's Capsule Report. This newsletter informs elected officials, developers, architects, contractors, unions, and the media on construction industry news.

The Legislative News:
This monthly publication informs the construction industry of critical and timely legislative issues pertinent to our industry.

Click here to sign up to receive these newsletters.

BreakingGround Magazine
BreakingGround is the bi-monthly magazine of the Master Builders' Association of Western PA. This magazine serves the interest of architects, engineers, contractors, developers, owners/users, and service providers in the construction industry.
To receive this mailed publication, click here.

Building Fees & Regulations Booklet
Under the guidance of the Construction Industry Advancement Program of Western PA, the MBA publishes this book which includes the most pertinent information currently available concerning building regulations and fees of cities, townships, and boroughs in Allegheny County.
To receive this book, contact the MBA Office.

^ Top of Page

Committee Administration

MBA Committees
The MBA Committees are the primary means by which all members work to meet the needs of the industry, and the needs of the association as well. The committees provide grassroots contact with emerging issues, and a forum for discussion of key construction industry concerns. It is through these discussions that MBA members exchange information and ideas, and provide the basis for policy change within the association. Committee members are also provided with a wealth of information on a wide variety of topics which they utilize in their businesses and realize value-added return on their investment in the MBA.

Participation in MBA's committees is not only encouraged, it is vital to the growth and success of the association. To learn about each committee, click here.

For more information, contact Jon O'Brien jobrien@mbawpa.org or 412-922-3912.

^ Top of Page

Education

Construction Advancement Program of Western Pennsylvania (CAP) Annual Scholarship Program

For students enrolled in the field of Construction Management in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering

Qualifications:

• Any undergraduate or graduate level student enrolled in the Field of Construction Management in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering and meeting the following qualification criteria is eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have completed 30 credit hours of undergraduate education and be a full time student pursuing a degree in the Field of Construction Management in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering.
• Applicants must be a full time resident of Pennsylvania.
• Applicants must have a B grade average or better and submit complete official university transcripts of grades to date.
  • Scholarship awards are competitive and may be based on:
  • Academic standing as determined by university grades in the Department;
  • Career choice as it relates to the construction industry;
  • Extracurricular activities and leadership in both high school and college;
  • SAT Scores
• Family members of the CAP staff and members of the CAP Scholarship. Committee will not be eligible for the awards.

Selections

• Applicants must submit a complete application within the specified deadlines to receive consideration for the scholarship.
• Applicants are required to submit a personal letter giving qualifications for the scholarship, including a statement concerning their educational and career goals.
• The scholarship committee shall interview finalists.

Retention

• The award will be forfeited if the applicant leaves the Field of Construction Management in the University of Pittsburgh's School of Engineering.
• The award will be forfeited if the applicant moves outside the state of Pennsylvania.
• Any change in the educational status of the scholarship recipient must be reported to the Scholarship Committee.

Payments

The awards will be made payable to the University of Pittsburgh, CM Program/CAP Scholarship Winner and be distributed to the recipient.

Termination

CAP will have the right to revise, change or cancel the scholarship awards program, as it deems necessary.

Call the CAP Office at (412) 922-4703 for more information.

MBA/CAP Presents Scholarships
MBA contractors have awarded over $30,000 in scholarships to exceptional students enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh's Construction Management Program and Penn State's Architecture/Engineering Program.

Sign Up for Build Up!
The need to attract qualified people into the building trades, engineering and architectural disciplines is critical to the ongoing success of the construction industry. The MBA is taking the initiative to educate students from grade 5 to senior high school about the construction industry's contributions to our everyday quality of life and the excellent career opportunities available.

Build Up! and On Site! are hands on learning aids, which provide fifth-seventh grade teachers with materials to promote construction careers and safety to students. Teachers are enthusiastically implementing the program, which was developed by the Associated General Contractors and Scholastic Books. Contact the MBA office for details or go to www.agc.org

Apprentice Training
The MBA contractor's greatest resource is the well-trained, highly professional pool of skilled tradespeople employed on the job. The industry invests close to $3 million annually, to fund apprentice training- a genuine commitment to the industry's future. The MBA contractor has a great return on their investment- dependable people who provide quality workmanship and on-time delivery. Go to www.buildersguild.org for more information on apprentice training opportunities.

^ Top of Page

Safety Department

MBA Contractors Recognized by AGC of America

Pictured from Left to Right: Carl Heinlein, Rocky Bleier,
Robert McCall, Cynthia Latsko.

At their 84th Annual Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) presented the Master Builders Association with its top Chapter Safety Award. The award goes annually to the AGC Chapter with the lowest rate of lost time accidents on its member’s projects. Shawn Fay of MBA Member Joseph B. Fay Company was on hand to accept the award on behalf of all MBA members.

This marks the 3rd time in the last 5 years that MBA has been recognized as having the best safety record in America.

TEDCO Construction Company Wins MBA Top Safety Award

Pete Mahoney, Jim Frantz, Elizabeth Quinn, Bob McCall

Congratulations to TEDCO Construction Company which was awarded MBA’s 2002 Safety Excellence Award during MBA’s Annual Membership Meeting. Selected from a group of 7 finalists, TEDCO’s safety program was selected as the best overall program by an independent panel of judges. The judging criteria included the contractor’s commitment to safety, training efforts, the level of participation at all levels of the organization, as well as accident rates.

MBA would like to thank this year’s judges for their participation in the program. The 2002 panel of judges were: David Weir of UPMC, Justin Crandol of AGC of America, and Bob Carroll of OSHA.

MOLD
Mold is everywhere. Sometimes we can see it, other times we canât. The question that is before us is whether all the attention being paid to mold is media exaggeration, a plaintiff attorney bonanza, or a serious health issue. Thirty MBA members recently gathered at the Building Industry Center to try and shed some light on this issue. Ms. Rachel Jakubovitz of Willis provided the attendees with an in depth examination of mold. Attendees also shared their experiences and solutions at a roundtable discussion following Ms. Jakubovitzâs presentation. The attendees left the seminar knowing that there is a real mold issue and the best way to keep from getting trapped in it is to prevent the growth of mold at their projects.

For the latest information and assistance visit AGC of America's Mold Guidance Page at http://www.agc.org/safety_info/mold_guidance.asp

OSHA Partnership Completes Another Successful Year
The MBA and Pittsburgh Building Trades Council recently completed the second evaluation of their OSHA partnership. After evaluating the partnership participants projects, OSHA recommended the continuation of the Partnership. OSHA highlighted the fact that Partnership projects experienced accidents at a rate which is 2/3 better than the national average. This far exceeds the Partnerships goals. Partnership participants currently include Dick Corporation, Mascaro Construction, Rycon Construction, and Turner/P.J. Dick/ATS Joint Venture. For more information on how to qualify for the Partnership, contact MBA Director of Safety, Bob McCall: rmccall@mbawpa.org.

^ Top of Page