We’re excited to announce significant updates to our annual award programs, giving members new opportunities for recognition. Submissions for the Project of the Year Award are due December 15, 2025, and entries for the Safety and Craft Training Excellence Awards are due January 31, 2026. 

What’s New This Year
For the first time, the Project of the Year Award will feature a dedicated category for Reinforcing Steel projects. This addition ensures that rebar contractors are evaluated alongside their peers for similar types of work. Rebar projects can now be submitted under two contract value classes—up to $500,000 and over $500,000—covering a range of project types including transportation, building structures, industrial and utility, and specialty work.

The Safety & Education Committee has also expanded its Safety Excellence Award to include a new category for Fabricators, recognizing members that demonstrate outstanding safety performance and best practices. Like the Erector Safety Excellence Award, it uses a points-based system evaluating EMR ratings, OSHA logs, citations, safety programs, and training initiatives.

NCCER has announced updates to its crane operator certification program to streamline the testing process and better align certifications with specific crane types. The new model introduces one written assessment and one practical exam for each type of crane, allowing operators to be tested only on the equipment they use in the field.

The change is intended to reduce unnecessary testing requirements and improve clarity for training providers and employers. Under the simplified structure, certification options now include Industrial/Carry Deck, Telescopic Boom, Boom Truck, Lattice Boom and Overhead Crane. Articulating Boom and Service Truck are pending ANAB accreditation.

The new program is currently available. The existing crane certification program will remain in place until April 2026, allowing providers time to adjust. However, the two models should not be combined within the same certification path.

As the year winds down, SEAA is gearing up for an exciting 2026 and we want to ensure every member is ready to take full advantage of the programs, resources, and industry connections that shape our association. All 2026 membership renewals are due by November 30, and we encourage you to submit your payment soon to avoid any interruption in benefits.

Membership in SEAA is more than an annual invoice it’s an investment in your workforce, your business, and the future of steel construction. Renewing keeps your company connected to SEAA’s expanding network, including access to Craft Training & Apprenticeship resources, safety and education initiatives, peer groups, industry best practices, and exclusive member discounts. These tools are designed to support teams in the field and in the office, helping companies stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

We also extend our thanks to the many members who have already renewed. Your early action strengthens our ability to deliver timely programs, elevate the voice of steel erectors, and expand opportunities for collaboration across our community.

SEAA is proud to recognize several member companies ranked among the Top 20 Firms in Steel Construction in ENR’s 2025 Top 600 Specialty Contractors list, an exceptional accomplishment in a highly competitive market. These firms earned their place during a year shaped by rising material costs and ongoing pressure on project timelines.

Despite these pressures, ENR reports that the Top 600 specialty contractors collectively saw an 11.8% revenue increase, with more than 97% reporting profit growth. Industry leaders say that strong relationships and steady, well-managed project controls continue to make the difference.

The following SEAA member companies were ranked in the Top 20 Steel Construction Firms:

Every successful steel erection project depends on teamwork and careful planning. Whether hoisting structural members, rebar cages, or bundles of deck, every lift includes several moving parts. When that coordination slips, even small details can lead to unnecessary risk.

Pre-lift planning is one of the best tools we have to ensure safe and efficient operations. It brings operators, riggers, and ironworkers to the same table to review the load, ground conditions, and the lift path. By talking through each step, crews can catch oversights early and align on responsibilities, communication, and stop-work authority.

As highlighted in Spring 2024 issue of Connector, lift directors play a vital role in this process, but effective lift planning is truly a team effort. When every person involved understands the “why” behind the plan, they’re more likely to speak up, double-check, and support one another in maintaining control of the lift.

Oldsmar, FL — 08/15/2025 — Gardner-Watson, a leading provider of commercial metal decking installation, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Founded in 2005, Gardner-Watson has grown from a small decking business into a respected name in the Steel erection industry. Over the past 20 years, the company has expanded its operations, built lasting customer relationships, and maintained a strong focus on Safety.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is now accepting nominations for the SteelStrong Women in Construction initiative, which recognizes women that are advancing the steel construction industry. The program is designed to showcase women serving in a variety of capacities, from ironworkers and field supervisors to project managers, executives, and business owners.

Jobsites are crowded with moving equipment, blind spots, and constantly changing conditions. Combine that with working in tight spaces, and the spotter quickly becomes a critical safety control. Their role is not only to react to hazards but to anticipate and prevent them by walking paths, scanning the work area, and guiding operators before problems arise.

One SEAA member reported a serious incident in a 60 ft. boom lift: An operator working alone extended into the third level of a building to level and weld steel tubes. As he maneuvered the boom, the bottom of the basket became lodged against a tube. After several attempts, the basket broke loose and the stored torque in the boom caused the platform to catapult upward nearly eight feet, resulting in an injury.

This type of incident underscores why spotters are so critical. A trained spotter, positioned on the ground with a clear view would have recognized the obstruction and helped to guide the operator around it to prevent the incident from occurring.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has announced new appointments to its Board of Directors, welcoming a mix of returning leaders and fresh voices from across the steel erection industry.

Returning to the board are Carrie Gulajan of Construction Insurance Agency, Inc. and Jason McElrath of MP Specialty Insurance. Gulajan, a longtime SEAA member and past board member, has been actively involved with the association for more than 15 years. McElrath joined the board in 2021. Both bring deep experience in contractor-focused insurance and continue to support the association’s mission.

SEAA has entered into an agreement with Engine, a travel platform for booking flights, hotels, and car rental. Their services include options for booking for large groups and extended stays.

“Through this formal agreement, SEAA can now offer its members access to discounts on hotels, averaging 26% savings over booking direct,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA.

Engine’s travel platform saves businesses time and money through an intuitive travel network that connects to nearly every hotel, airline, and car rental company in the United States. It offers single invoice billing, the flexibility to modify trips at any time, and a unified view of all company travel expenses.

SEAA is currently seeking dedicated members to join several of its key committees. This is a valuable opportunity for those looking to make an impact within the industry while contributing to the organization's growth and success.

We have openings in the following committees:

• Awards Committee: Help recognize and honor outstanding achievements within our industry.
• Events Committee: Planning and execution of peer groups, Meet & Greets, Golf Tournament and Convention.
• Marketing Committee: Assist in promoting our brand and developing content and resources for members.
• Membership Committee: Contribute to enhancing member engagement and recruitment strategies.
  

Association celebrates individual contributions to member recruitment

His efforts have helped expand SEAA’s reach, strengthen peer group involvement, and support programs that benefit contractors of all sizes.

Update: 7/22/2025
As extreme heat becomes a more persistent occupational hazard across the U.S., regulatory efforts to protect workers are gaining momentum. While federal OSHA continues to develop a national heat standard, several states have already implemented their own heat illness prevention rules.

These state-level standards are often more stringent and tailored to local conditions, underscoring the need for employers, especially those operating across multiple state lines, to understand and comply with varied requirements.

Even if your state hasn’t yet adopted a specific heat standard, a federal rule is on the horizon. Now is the time for employers to assess current practices and identify gaps. Doing so ensures your organization is prepared for compliance when the federal rule is finalized.

Stakeholder Input Due September 30
OSHA has conducted public hearings to gather stakeholder input, and the Post-Hearing Comment Period remains open through September 30, 2025. This is a pivotal moment for employers, labor groups, and safety advocates to influence the outcome of the federal standard by submitting feedback, raising concerns, or highlighting successful local approaches.

A new international standard for MEWPs is changing the way controls on boom lifts and scissor lifts are designed. ISO 21455 (Operator’s controls – Actuation, displacement, location, and method of operation) was published in 2020 to define rules for safeguarding persons and objects against the risk of accidents associated with the operation of MEWPs.

It’s an opportunity to share challenges and solutions related to workforce development, safety, operations, and business management in an open, collaborative setting. The Peer Group session will begin at 3:30 PM, giving attendees a chance to connect with others in the steel construction industry.

Following the Peer Group discussion, attendees are invited to stay for an informal Meet & Greet from 6:00–8:00 PM, also at the Omni Providence Hotel. This casual networking reception is the perfect way to expand your network, exchange ideas, and discover valuable resources for hiring, training, and running your business.

Whether you’re a long-time SEAA member or new to the association, Steel Connections provides a unique opportunity to engage with peers in your region and gain fresh insights into industry best practices. Attendees often walk away with actionable ideas they can implement in their own companies, while also building stronger ties within the steel erection and fabrication community.
Interested companies are also encouraged to sponsor the event for added visibility. Sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Kathy Epperson at [email protected].

To register and learn more about the event, visit: https://www.seaa.net/meetings-and-upcoming-events.html#steelconnections.

Hosted in the Steel City, this year’s Convention & Trade Show was one of our biggest yet. With record-breaking attendance, and a sold-out trade show, the energy throughout the week was electric. From river views and inspiring education sessions, to honoring the people and projects driving the industry forward, the message was clear: SEAA’s momentum is building- and we’re just getting started.

SEAA is offering two limited-time promotions for companies planning to participate in the 2026 Convention & Trade Show, scheduled for May 5–8, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the winners of its 2025 Projects of the Year- consisting of both specialty steel installation and structural steel construction.

“These projects are excellent examples of how steel erectors bring a variety of services to construction projects. Two of the winners served as both the fabricator and erector on the job and worked closely with the Engineer of Record to find workable solutions to original design plans. Another is a crane services provider, with unique access to rigging, cranes, and lift planning in addition to steel and concrete panel erection services,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA. And for the first time, one of the winners is a specialty services provider—an industrial contractor that perform structural installations of material handling systems.

Winners receive trophies, feature article coverage in Connector magazine, and the chance to participate in peer panel discussions. Summaries provided below.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the winners of its 2025 Safety Excellence and Craft Training Excellence Awards. These honors highlight member companies who demonstrate exceptional performance in workplace safety and the training of ironworkers. Awards were presented at SEAA’s 2025 Convention & Trade Show in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 5-9, 2025.

“This year’s recipients demonstrate what’s possible when safety and training are treated as top priorities,” said Jason Farris, Chairman of SEAA’s Safety & Education Committee. “Their commitment to safety and workforce development is essential for the future of our trade. These are companies that lead by example, invest in their people, and prove that excellence is achievable at every level.”

Recipients are selected through a blind evaluation process led by the association’s Safety & Education Committee. Submissions are judged across multiple criteria including training investments, portability of credentials, incident rates, and overall safety performance.

Falls remain the leading cause of death in construction—and steel erection is among the most hazardous trades when it comes to working at height. Despite increased awareness and enforcement, the industry continues to lose workers each year due to falls. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2022, more than one-third of all construction fatalities were fall-related. Within the structural steel industry, the danger is amplified by dynamic working environments, incomplete structures, frequent transitions between tasks that expose workers to open edges, unstable decking, and unprotected connections.

OSHA’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will take place May 5–9, 2025. SEAA proudly supports this nationwide effort to raise awareness and prevent fall-related incidents on the job. For 2025, the message is clear: Don’t Fall for False Security. Tie Off Right at Any Height. Falls from 25 feet—and even as low as 6 feet—can be fatal or result in life-altering injuries. Just because the exposure is short-term, or “routine” does not mean it’s safe.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics census data from 2011 to 2018, 60% of falls occurred from 25 feet or less, accounting for 1,556 fatalities. And 2019 data from CPWR shows that 21% of those occurred from heights of 11 to 15 feet.