MVBA Newsletter
Spring 2025
The Importance of Job Site Safety
The MVBA joins the Island building community in sending our condolences to the loved ones of both Jorge Marcelo Yanza Riera and Jose Collaguazo Crespo. We are shocked and saddened by the recent deaths of both tradespeople who have tragically died due to an accident while on the job site.
“At the Martha's Vineyard Builders Association, we understand that every project has the ability to impact the lives of our tradespeople and community they are part of, safety isn't just a regulation; it's a shared value and a cornerstone of our industry. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where every builder, from apprentice to seasoned veteran, is empowered with the knowledge and tools to ensure the highest safety standards” says Sarah Hughes, president of the MVBA.
A focus on job site safety has long been a priority for the MVBA, that is why organizing an OSHA-10 safety course was so swift. The wheels were already turning to host an in-person OSHA-10 class when the first job-site tragedy happened in February.
Alvaro Soldani, MVBA board member and partner at MV Insulation Solutions, jumped into action and took the lead to quickly organize a hugely successful in-person safety training course in Portuguese. “A large and valuable part of our building community are not native English speakers. Something as important as safety should be provided in the language in which someone is most comfortable and able to ask questions. Having a thorough understanding of safety protocol can be the difference of life and death- it’s simply too important for anything to be lost or misunderstood in translation and I’m proud to have helped bring this event to the island” says Soldani.
This Portuguese OSHA-10 event was attended by 45 Portuguese-speakers and would not have been possible without the support of Soldani and Chris Miller of Millers Professionals Co. “We were proud to partner with Chris and Alvaro to bring this important event to our members. We hope to host more of these in the future” says Hughes.
CLICK HERE for the easy to access, online OSHA-10 Safety Training Class in English.
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 | The MVBA is looking for a Special Projects Manager to join our team. Are you or someone you know a perfect fit? CLICK HERE to learn more |
SparkMV 2024 Impact and Plans for 2025 On October 26th, 2024, the MVBA was proud to host the first annual SPARK MV event at the Ag Hall. This event was designed to put tools in the hands of our youngest Islanders and create an opportunity for them to experience the magic and satisfaction of trying a trade in a safe and exhilarating environment. You, as members and supporters of the MVBA, know the key role that skilled tradespeople and designers play not only in our community but in the workforce at large. Through SPARK MV, we hoped to spark a passion for a skill that may develop into hobby or even career in the future.
We received overwhelmingly positive feedback and excitement for another SparkMV across the board: attendees, presenting individuals and companies, fiscal sponsors and most of all, the kids who partook in the activities! For this reason, we are proud to announce that the second annual SparkMV will be held on October 11, 2025 at the Ag Hall in W Tisbury. We hope you will help us make SparkMV 2025 a success by having a tent and presenting an activity of your own or as a corporate sponsor. To learn more about how you can get involved in this skilled trade and design- centered family event, please email sparkmv@mvbuilders.org or click the links below. |
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| MV Builders Association PO Box 290 Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 |