SEAA announces that it has partnered with BBSI to provide a special insurance program in which SEAA members receive an automatic 10 percent discount on their workers' compensation premium, as well as an opportunity to earn back 5 percent based on claims performance.  

BBSI is a leading provider of organizational infrastructure solutions that are customized to the unique needs of business owners in all 50 states. Member companies will be assigned to a dedicated team to provide support for loss control, human resources, employee recruiting and retention, payroll, and timekeeping. Other benefits include access to group health insurance, 401k, a learning management system, and more. Contact Tucker Smith or memberservices@seaa.net for more information on the SEAA program. 

In January, SEAA held its second Career Fair to spread awareness about the career opportunities available in the steel construction industry. Hosted by member company GMF Steel Group in Lakeland, Fla., the Career Fair brought together approximately 100 students from five local high schools and 70 students from technical colleges. “As an association, one of our goals is to invest in the future of the steel construction industry. One way we can do that is by working with our member companies to host these types of educational events,” said Pete Gum, SEAA’s Executive Director. Read More.  

SEAA is excited to announce the launch of its new Learning Management System, SteelPros Training Portal, exclusively for members. Developed in partnership with Industrial Training International (ITI) and built on ITI’s Learning Hub platform, SEAA members now have easy access to custom content for ironworkers and other related training materials. 

Every SEAA member will receive one free account and one license to access this member benefit. Additional licenses can be purchased for $35 each per year. “This is a vital resource for your safety directors or training managers—a member benefit valued at more than $10,000 per member,” said Jack Nix, Membership Committee Chairman. To set up your free account contact memberservices@seaa.net.

The National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) conducted interviews with 176 tradeswomen and analyzed 770 responses to a survey directed to women in the industry. The results have been compiled into a white paper, In Her Own Words: Improving Project Outcomes, which will assist employers with recruiting, hiring, and retaining women in craft positions.

Download the Whitepaper.

In less than two months, more than 5,000 construction and design professionals will gather in Charlotte, N.C., to learn the latest techniques and innovations and see the newest products at NASCC: The Steel Conference.

This year’s Steel Conference incorporates QualityCon, with more than 20 sessions about quality and AISC Certification, as well as SafetyCon, which features a dozen sessions about the most important part of any jobsite. Read More. 

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is finally here! While SEAA will not have a booth at the show, more than a dozen SEAA Members will be proudly representing the association. Be sure to stop by their booths to show your support.  

OTH Pioneer Rigging has partnered with Ludwig System GmbH & Co. KG, creator of the remote-controlled lifting system, LudwigHook, to bring the solution to North America. The LudwigHook lifting device is an alternative to traditional lifting hooks. It is proven in steel erection and building supply delivery applications as a way to speed up the rigging process and reduce risk to workers by keeping them from manually unhooking rigging. Read More.

Simpson Strong-Tie, Pleasanton, Calif., has promoted Mike Olosky, the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer, to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Olosky joined the company as Chief Operating Officer in 2020 and succeeds Karen Colonias at the CEO position as part of a planned leadership succession.

Last year, Simpson Manufacturing’s board of directors unanimously elected Olosky to succeed Colonias as CEO effective January 1, 2023. Read More.

Skyjack, Guelph, ON, has opened a new manufacturing facility in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, which will take over production of the company’s telehandler and boom lift product lines. In January, Skyjack unveiled 200,00 sq ft of the facility, with the remaining 490,000 sq ft to open in Q3 of 2023.  

“We have been at physical and labor capacity at our Canadian facilities for some time now and we have invested heavily in vertical integration there with a focus on DC slab scissors, vertical masts, and rough terrain scissors. Moving the telehandler and boom range to the Ramos Arizpe plant will help pave the way for that Canadian based growth and allows us to answer the increased demand we have for our telehandler and boom range,” said Ken McDougall, President of Skyjack. Read More.

The 2023 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will take place May 1-5, 2023, and SEAA encourages all professionals working in the steel construction industry to submit designs for this year's Hard Hat Sticker Contest. The winner will be announced in a press release distributed to industry media and will receive 250 hard hat stickers featuring their design and a $100 gift card.

Hard hat sticker designs must be original artwork and should reflect one of three themes.

• Preventing Falls in Construction
• Building America Safely
• Proud to be an Ironworker

One submission per category is permitted. The winning design concept will be recreated by a professional graphic artist.

Deadline to submit hard hat sticker designs is February 28.

SEAA has partnered with several new service providers to give members access to business resources that deliver tangible benefits worth 18 times more than an average membership fee.

Solutions to help solve workforce challenges include a job board, applicant tracking system, and learning management. Discounts on workers’ comp insurance and industry certifications help to stretch your investment. Plus, SEAA offers personalized administration assistance for members seeking to become an NCCER Training Unit or Assessment Site. Click on the brochure to learn more.

Convention & Trade Show Early Bird Registration Ends January 31

SEAA's 2023 Convention & Trade Show is right around the corner and deadlines are quickly approaching. Early Bird Registration rates for members and non-members end on January 31, and the room block for the hotel closes on March 6.

SEAA will have a New Member and First Timers Meeting on the evening of March 29. This is an invitation-only networking event exclusively for new member companies and first-time attendees. Come meet the board members and find out how to get tapped into our Steel Strong Community. Read More.

In 2021, ANSI approved a revision of Z359.14, Safety Requirements for Self-Retracting Devices (SRDs) for Personal Fall Arrest and Rescue Systems. The updated ANSI Z359.14 standard establishes requirements for the performance, design, marking, qualification, instruction, training, test methods, inspection use, maintenance, and removal from service of self-retracting devices. In December of 2022, the ANSI Z359 Committee approved a second 6-month extension to the effective date of the ANSI Z359.14 standard. The standard will now go into effect on August 1, 2023.

This update to Z359.14 includes revisions and new requirements, including:

• A change to the device types defined in the standard
• Changes to previously established classifications of device types
• A 20% increase in minimum static strength requirements
• More rigorous energy-management requirements
• Changes to labeling requirements
• Inclusion of Guidance for the End-User (Appendix B)

The changes in this update are significant and take into account many of the notable developments in Self-Retracting Device technologies and consumer expectations. It also simplifies how SRDs are described and classified to help users better understand their capabilities and limitations.

With just a few months until the first session, NASCC: The Steel Conference is revving its engines--and registration opens January 23! The Steel Conference takes place in Charlotte, N.C., April 12 to 14.

It’s the premier event for everyone involved in the design and construction of steel buildings and bridges. We offer nearly 200 technical sessions on things like coordination issues with roof and floor penetrations, common rigging mistakes, crane lift innovations, how to talk with GCs about the value of the AISC Code of Standard Practice, and lessons learned on the SEAA Project of the Year--plus a giant exhibit hall showcasing more than 250 of the products and services that can help you design and build better with steel.

This year’s event also offers a dozen sessions on safety issues and more than 20 sessions on quality and certification. Visit aisc.org/nascc to learn more.

Nucor Corporation, Charlotte N.C., has invested in Electra, a Colorado-based start-up developing a process to produce carbon-free iron that can be used to make steel. The company uses renewable energy to refine low-grade iron ores into high-purity iron through electrochemical and hydrometallurgical processes. This material will be used in the steelmaking process to offset other high-quality metallics that come with higher greenhouse gas emissions. Read More.

Gardner-Watson, Oldsmar Fla, is a certified Authorized Repair Center and local distributor for FallTech. Gardner-Watson repairs and refurbishes about 1,500 Self Retracting Lifelines per year and distributes a variety of harnesses, SRL’s, and danger tape. Call 813-891-9849 to learn more. 

Mazzella, Cleveland, Ohio, has rebranded its podcast, Safety Factor. The monthly podcast focuses on procedures and technologies that could help minimize downtime due to worker injuries. Bent Hengst, host, talks with in-house experts and industry partners about product and safety innovations, best practices, industry standards, and more. Find the first three episodes here.

NCCER Launches Podcast

In October, the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) launched a podcast called “The Builder’s Table.” Airing weekly on Mondays, it features construction professionals discussing critical topics such as solutions to workforce issues. It is hosted by Jennifer Wilkerson, NCCER’s Vice President of Innovation and Advancement, and is available on several services including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more. 

SEAA will launch a new learning management system, SteelPros Training Portal, which will be available starting in 2023. Developed in partnership with Industrial Training International (ITI) and built on ITI’s Learning Hub platform, SEAA members now have easy access to custom content for ironworkers. Every SEAA member will receive one free account and one license to access this member benefit.



There will be three Learning Paths available on the SteelPros Training Portal—Ironworker Level 1, 2, and 3. Each level contains multiple videos, which align with specific learning modules in the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Custom Curriculum.  

SEAA invites members to participate in a Career Fair promoting the steel construction industry. The event is free to SEAA members, but space is limited. SEAA is also seeking sponsors to help to defer costs to provide lunch, PPE, giveaways, and other items. Contact bryttany@seaa.net to reserve your Career Fair station or to sponsor the event.

The Career Fair will target high school students and active job seekers, including veterans and post-secondary technical school students. There is expected to be about 300 visitors in attendance. Participating companies need to come prepared with a brief presentation. Choose presenters from your company that are dynamic speakers, and who can relate to the audience. Most importantly, please bring the appropriate PPE for your station.

The day prior to the Career Fair, SEAA will hold its first quarter board meeting and a Meet & Greet Reception on January 19 at Hyatt Place Downtown Tampa, Florida. Meet & Greet Sponsorships are available. Get more info and RSVP. 

The Home Depot has launched PathtoPro.com, a new jobseeker platform that connects craft workers to local trade professionals that are actively hiring. To help jobseekers showcase their skills, the Path to Pro Network features skill badges that indicate if someone has accredited training, is a U.S. Military Veteran, or has graduated from The Home Depot’s free trades training program.

Skilled trades jobseekers can create a profile, upload their resume, and add photos of their work. The Path to Pro Network is part of The Home Depot’s larger Path to Pro program to help address the growing skilled labor shortage in the U.S. and build the next generation of trades professionals. Launched in 2021, the Path to Pro Skills Program offers a free training program for those interested in pursuing and growing a career in the skilled trades and prepares them for their first job. Learn more.

According to an article from THE CITY, a group of union health funds has sued global consulting firm McKinsey & Co. for its role in the opioid crisis. The lawsuit was filed in the Queens Supreme Court on behalf of 50 local health and welfare funds covering dozens of construction trade and other unions, including ironworkers, laborers, metal polishers, and the union representing NYPD traffic enforcement agents.  

The lawsuit alleges that McKinsey worked with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, and was specifically tasked with helping the pharmaceutical company increase OxyContin sales, pushing not just individual prescriptions but for the highest dosages of the pills, according to the lawsuit.



In 2021, McKinsey & Co. settled with 49 states over its role working with Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, and other companies that produce addictive painkillers like OxyContin. The company was ordered to pay out nearly $600 million in damages to these states from the opioid crisis, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people. Read More.  

Earlier this month, Derr & Gruenewald Construction, Brighton, Colo., participated in Construction Con 2022, a hands-on construction experience for high school students in Northern Colorado. The event hosted over 500 local high school students and featured more than 55 job fair booths and activity stations. Students were able to try their hand at operating a crane, welding, and brick laying. Learn more about Construction Con 2022. 

United Rentals, Stamford, Conn., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of family-owned Ahern Rentals, Las Vegas, for approximately $2 billion in cash. The board of directors of United Rentals has unanimously approved the agreement. The transaction is expected to close prior to year-end 2022, subject to customary conditions. Read more. 

JLG Industries, Inc., has expanded its network of Authorized Service Providers in the United States to provide equipment repair, warranty, maintenance, inspections, parts and other support services nationwide to JLG customers. JLG’s independent service operations are available to complete service work on all makes and models of equipment within their defined territories. Read more. 

The sold-out Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament supporting SEAA’s safety and education projects raised about $7,000. “For our first venture west, turnout for the tournament and participation in the Meet & Greet held the previous night was outstanding,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director.

More than 80 people registered for the Meet & Greet and 60 golfers competed in the tournament. “We appreciate the support of sponsors, who made this a successful meeting,” said Gum. Read More. 

SEAA announces that it has received U.S. Department of Labor approval of its revised National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards. The revision was written to include the occupation Reinforcing Ironworker Concrete in addition to the existing occupation of Structural Steel Ironworker. 

“SEAA members work on both structural and reinforcing steel projects, however, the tasks and training needed to be a reinforcing ironworker are different from those for a structural ironworker. This apprenticeship standard more accurately reflects the knowledge and skills required for both types of ironworkers,” said Jack Nix, Chairman of the Membership Committee. Read More. 

NCCER is partnering with Procore Technologies, a construction management software company, on education and training. Through this partnership, Procore will work with NCCER to develop a new technology-focused curriculum and educational resources, with the goal of strengthening the connection between technology and the trades. Read More. 

EquipmentWatch, a data analytics company, has released a new Whitepaper to provide contractors and fleet managers with concrete tips in order to keep equipment costs manageable. The Fuel Cost Volatility Survival Guide reports that the price of diesel fuel has increased 74 percent over the past 12 months, and that fuel accounts for more than 40 percent of machine operating costs – more than repair, parts, and labor. 

Download the Fuel Cost Volatility Survival Guide to see how the price of fuel affects your operating costs, and what you can do about it.

L&L Construction Inc., Quakertown, Pa., has received approval for its Ironworker Apprenticeship program through the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship Council. The company utilized SEAA’s U.S. Department of Labor registered National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standard to register its program. L&L Construction employs the SEAA/NCCER Craft Training Program and is an AISC-certified structural steel erection company serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Massachusetts. Read More.  

From September 1 through October 31, The Crosby Group, Richardson, Texas, will donate $500 to the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation for every Crosby and ACCO training event in the US to help fund college scholarships and other crucial educational services for military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. All proceeds from Crosby’s User's Guide for Lifting online training course will go towards the $25,000 goal. This is the third year Crosby has partnered with Fallen Patriots. Read More. 

Simpson Strong-Tie, has awarded scholarships to 100 college undergraduates across the nation that are perusing degrees in architecture, civil/structural engineering, or construction management. Simpson Strong-Tie flew 56 scholarship recipients to its San Francisco Bay Area office. On the week-long trip, recipients were able to participate in plan-reading exercises, tour the lab, hear from guest lectures, and attend a panel discussion with Simpsons' Senior Leadership Team.

The Simpson Strong-Tie® Student Scholarship supports higher education and promotes the design and building of safer structures by assisting university students with tuition costs. Read More. 

The 2022 Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament will be held in Broomfield, Colo., on September 16 at The Golf Club at Omni Interlocken Hotel. ​This fundraiser golf tournament supports Craft Training Grants and other Safety and Education Projects.

The Captain’s Choice tournament is limited to the first 60 golfers. The early bird registration discount ends July 22.

Interested in sponsoring the golf tournament? Sponsorships include one on-course promotional tent, company logos on the tournament golf balls, and unlimited tee/hole sponsors. Read More.

SEAA has been working hard behind the scenes to update its existing by-laws. The bylaws were re-written from scratch to align with North Carolina association laws due to the association being incorporated in North Carolina.

Yesterday, your company's primary contact would have received an email with additional details. In order for the new by-laws to take effect, we need AT LEAST one-third of the existing members to approve the updated bylaws. All votes MUST be received by August 16th. 

SEAA has opened the submission forms for 2023 Project of the Year, Safety Excellence, and Craft Training Excellence awards.

The Project of the Year Award is for members that have topped out a structural steel construction or miscellaneous metals project in 2021 or 2022. Award-winning companies will have the chance to participate in panel discussions at future AISC Steel Conference events and at SEAA’s 2023 Convention in St. Augustine, Fla.

Awards can be submitted online or via email to  

awards@seaa.net. Submission deadline is December 31, 2022. Read more. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new compliance directive CPL 02-01-063 for cranes and derricks. This directive replaces the 2014 compliance directive CPL 02-01-057 and addresses the changes in the crane rule that OSHA made in 2018. The new compliance directive only revises the existing section on operator training, certification, and evaluation and leaves the other sections of the 2014 directive unchanged. While the document is intended for OSHA inspectors, it is also useful to assist business owners and managers in being proactive to prevent citations. 

Read the full article from NCCCO to learn more.

OSHA and NIOSH have released a free app, OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool, that calculates a worksite's heat index and shows the associated risk levels. Users will see precautionary recommendations specific to heat index risk levels to help protect employees from heat-related illness.  Read more.

SEAA has posthumously awarded David Alan Schulz of Schulz Iron Works with its highest lifetime achievement, the William Davis Service Award during its 50th Anniversary Gala in April. Stephanie Trainor, Vice President and Marketing Manager, Construction Insurance Agency, was recognized as the association’s 2022 Person of the Year. 

Read more. 

Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc., which hosted SEAA's first Career Fair last year, is the recipient of an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. ACS is one of 30 organizations to receive funds from the Apprenticeship Building America grants. 

Additionally, two employees of ACS have competed NCCER’s new Construction Workforce Development Professional training and certification program under SEAA’s Craft Training Sponsorship. Carlos Pulido, Executive Vice President, and Karen Champion, Apprenticeship Manager, received the certification in order to distribute the training internally to ACS staff who recruit veterans into construction apprenticeships. Read more.

GMF Steel Group, Lakeland, Fla., has launched its Structural Steel Ironworker Apprenticeship Program. The program’s curriculum is accredited by NCCER under SEAA’s sponsorship. The coursework was developed using SEAA Craft Training Apprenticeship Standards in coordination with GMF’s industry-leading standards. GMF is invested in the future of ironworkers, and with diversity as a main objective, the company is proud that more than 25 percent of program participants are female.