b'messenger MIDWEST INSULATION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION 7250 POE AVE., SUITE 410 - DAYTON, OH 45414 - micainsulation.org VOLUME 59NO.11 November 2025 WHATS INSIDE THIS MONTH: and cybersecurity upgrades and stretched resources, asking employees to work longer hours or take fewer breaks. Construction Safety Risks on the Rise Thanksgiving Message from the PresidentThis wait-and-see approach can help businesses stay flexible, but it also creates risks. Leaders, supervisors Moving Beyond Spreadsheetsand employees who recognize and address these issues Dodge Momentum Indextogether can avoid costs that outweigh any short-term savings. New AI Tool Introduced for Construction Insulation Manufacturers Used 3 Billion PoundsDELAYED EQUIPMENT UPGRADES 97% of executives are delaying facility and equipment of Recycled Materials in 2024 updates due to cost pressures or scarce resources. This often means relying longer on aging tools and OSHA Winter Weather Resourcesmachinery: cranes with worn cables, forklifts with less responsive brakes or excavators lacking proper warning systems. Contractors delaying upgrades can strengthen maintenance by scheduling more frequent, detailed Construction Safety Risks Rise Amidinspections that:Track and log known performance Economic Uncertainty limitations Use certified technicians for servicing rather than relying only on in-house fixes Invest in safety prevention today to save moneyIdentify assets that may not be safe to operate (and lives) tomorrow.beyond a certain threshold U.S. construction spendinga key indicator ofBudget for phased upgrades or leasing options to future workfell for the third straight month inmodernize high-risk equipment without major upfront May 2025, down 3.5% from a year earlier, ascosts nonresidential contractors felt the squeeze fromIts important to remember that maintenance isnt higher interest rates, volatile material costs andmodernization. Even well-maintained equipment tariff uncertainty.becomes riskier over time. Components wear down, safety tolerances narrow and the lack of newer technologies can limit a crews ability to prevent According to Sentrys 2025 C-Suite Stress Index,failures. 67% of business leaders felt more stressed than in 2024, mainly due to economic uncertainty. Many have delayed capital expenditures like equipment (continued on page 12) 1'