Archive for May, 2024

Prioritizing Mental Health at Egan Company

Thursday, May 30th, 2024

During Mental Health Awareness month in May, Egan Company is taking the opportunity to relate mental health to safety, on and off the jobsite. Aligning the body and mind is essential for safe operations and effective work days. Ahead of National Safety Month in June, Egan is finding new ways to promote safety in the field, in the office, and wherever else we may work. This includes focusing on our mental presence and wellbeing. 

RECOGNIZING THE IMPACT

Working in the construction industry is  demanding physically and mentally. The high-stress environments can add up and take a toll on trades and administrative professionals who are working hard to ensure projects are done safely,  on-time, and with the highest quality. After work, many go home to their families and friends, which can offer a great way to decompress, but can also create additional stress or mental distractions. Over time, the stress continues to build up and can lead to mistakes and potentially harmful injuries. 

Recognizing the impact of mental health on job performance and safety is the first step towards creating a supportive work environment. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), approximately 1 in 5 adults will experience a mental illness each year. The need for recognition, support, and resources is prevalent, which is why Mental Health Awareness Month is a great opportunity to help everyone recognize the importance of mental health and its connection to safety in the construction industry. 

PROMOTING SAFETY THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH

Mental Health Awareness Month provides an opportunity to promote safety in the construction industry and ensure individuals have access to resources. On the jobsite, Egan teams conduct daily safety plans and active stretching to acknowledge and prepare for the risks associated with the work ahead of them that day. Just as physical risks are present, there are risks that can arise as a result of not being mentally prepared, as well. Taking time ahead of the work day to ensure individuals are able to focus on their work with minimal distractions or mental blockages is essential for safe jobsites and the wellbeing of the people and property with which we are working. 

MENTAL HEALTH AFFECTS EVERYONE

Ending the stigma of talking about mental health is our goal during Mental Health Awareness Month. Everyone has mental health, and everyone can be impacted by it as well. Safety on the jobsite is not limited to physical precautions, but it extends to mental wellbeing and preparedness. By prioritizing mental health in tandem with Egan’s existing safety initiatives, we are able to create safer work environments, wherever we are working.

Putting the Pieces Together

Wednesday, May 15th, 2024

While “creative problem solving” may not be found on a typical proposal or scope of work, every project and every jobsite requires teams to think outside the box and bring their perspectives to the task at hand. Egan Company’s Mechanical team recently brought their own unique and creative problem solving approach to a job at a data center facility, using unique equipment to help keep its facility expansion on track.

WHAT GOES FIRST? 

A large data center with multiple locations throughout the United States, partnered with general contractor Whiting-Turner, who hired Egan’s Mechanical team for critical Computer Room Air Handling unit (CRAH) installation. These units are essential for the integrity and reliability of the computers and servers hosted on-site. The job required multiple teams of different contractors to complete their work simultaneously. Egan’s Mechanical team was focusing on installing piping spools for the CRAH units within the building. This large and heavy equipment requires careful planning and the right team to ensure it is installed correctly and safely. 

However, a unique sequencing hiccup presented itself: does Egan install the piping before the walls are built, or does the general contractor put up the walls and have the Egan team install the piping later? 

Each of these sequences came with their own challenges and concerns, particularly around the safety and timeline of the project. Installing the piping after the walls would require more brute strength and unnecessary strain on the materials and Egan’s team. Putting the piping for the CRAH units before the walls would interfere with the work of other contractors. 

Fortunately, thanks to quick thinking and creative problem solving by Egan’s Mechanical field leaders, a safe and effective solution was found. 

The solution proposed allowed the drywall and framing crews to build corridor partitions, leaving out “windows” where the piping spools for the CRAH units could be placed. By utilizing a SpyderCrane — a piece of equipment typically used by Egan’s InterClad team — the crew was able to safely and efficiently install the spool pieces which minimized downtime and disruptions. Most importantly, the unique application of the SpyderCrane enabled a safe work environment, allowing Egan’s tradespeople to complete the job without needing to force equipment into place and risk physical injury or property damage. 

MULTI-DISCIPLINE EXPERTISE

Even though the SpyderCrane is typically utilized by Egan’s InterClad team, the quick and creative thinking by Egan’s field leaders allowed the team to utilize the tools and resources Egan has on-hand. Multi-discipline expertise and collaboration on jobsites enables everyone to find success and complete their projects efficiently and safely. The project was completed in May of 2024, and the timeline was kept on-track thanks to the collaboration and expertise of Egan’s team.

Innovation and creativity are at the forefront of Egan’s approach to each and every project – always ready to use everything in its tool belt to find solutions and get the job done!

Egan Company Breaks Ground on New Prefabrication Facility

Monday, May 13th, 2024

The building of a new prefabrication facility is underway for Egan Company after a groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kasson, Minn. 

Meeting the growing demand of Egan’s Electrical teams, this new facility will enable projects to be streamlined and completed with increased safety, quality, and consistency with “value add” advantages for our customers. The facility will prefabricate various electrical components, assemblies, and systems that are utilized in Egan projects throughout the country.

With the additional 40,000 square foot prefabrication facility, Egan Company continues to grow and expand its presence throughout Minnesota. The general contractor on the project is Knutson Construction. Egan will self-perform the mechanical, electrical, exterior storefront and interior conference room glass, and low-voltage work on the new facility. The building is expected to be completed and operational by 2025. 

Those in attendance included members from the Kasson Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Administration, Knutson Construction, and Egan Company leaders and employees who will be moving to the facility. The local ABC affiliate, KAALTV, was also in attendance covering the event.

Access Real-Time Service Information with Egan Portal

Friday, May 10th, 2024

Committed to offering an exceptional experience, Egan Company launched a new Portal that offers real-time access to facility data, including invoices, recent payments, and service/maintenance appointments. With this online tool, Egan’s customers can view and access:

  • Billing Details
  • Upcoming Service Appointments
  • Request Service
  • Current Maintenance Contracts
  • Key Contact Information (field technicians, account managers, project managers)

A self-service billing option allows for managing open invoices, viewing payment history, and submitting online payments through credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT). The online tool also enables customers to request 24/7 facility service and send feedback.

Current Egan customers can log into the portal on a desktop or mobile device using a primary email address already shared with Egan, or connect with their service account representative. Questions about Egan’s customer portal, or interested in how you can access your account? Contact us!