 CHICAGO - NASCC: The Steel Conference, the must-attend event for anyone involved in the design or construction of steel buildings and bridges, is coming to Louisville, Ky. April 2 to 4--and registration is now open!
QualityCon returns this year with 21 sessions designed specifically for erectors and fabricators, whether they’re already AISC certified or simply interested in quality management systems. Participants will leave with ideas and tools to put into action on jobsites and fabrication facilities immediately. SEAA, on behalf of its members, submitted comments to OSHA's proposed rule on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. The comments were developed with input from member companies and SEAA's Safety & Education Committee.
Association Liaisons Provide Industry Updates on Standards, Workforce, and Sustainability11/19/2024
Representatives of SEAA member companies, who are also involved in other industry associations, recently provided updates on relevant initiatives to SEAA’s board of directors. The following reports come from The National Institute of Steel Detailing (NISD), Steel Joist Institute (SJI), Steel Deck Institute (SDI), and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).
“SEAA is committed to aligning with industry partners on safety standards, technical advancements, and workforce challenges,” said Glen Pisani, Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee and Steel Division Manager for MAS Building & Bridge.
The Career Accelerator Program with Steel (CAPS) is a four-year project management development initiative that takes place at NASCC: The Steel Conference. Participants, known as CAPS Fellows, attend specialized project management sessions with the rest of their cohort and receive additional training focused on their areas of project management, including fabrication, erection, and engineering.
CHICAGO - 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. (Visit aisc.org/nascc to search the schedule by track.) One registration includes the specialty conferences and the main conference, with technical sessions packed full of actionable information you can put into practice as soon as you get home--more than 200, in all! AISC has invited experts and industry leaders to share the latest on crucial topics like:
The Steel Conference will also feature the biggest exhibit hall in the show’s history, with more than 280 innovators showcasing the products and services you need to know about right now. AISC offers special rates for multiple registrants from the same firm, recent graduates, and public agency employees. Visit aisc.org/nascc to learn more and register, and contact [email protected] with any questions. To combat the dangers of heat exposure, OSHA reminds employers and workers not to ignore the dangers of working in hot weather – indoors and out. Incorporating water, rest and shade can be the difference between ending the workday safely or suffering serious injuries or worse.
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. OSHA's Occupational Heat Exposure page explains the symptoms of heat illness, first aid measures to provide while waiting for help, engineering controls and work practices to reduce workers' exposure to heat, and training. Read More.  Every industry is influenced in immeasurable ways by the creative thinkers and inventors who change the way work gets done. For contractors involved in steel decking, that person was Harry Haytayan, Sr. (July 19, 1929—May 13, 2021), a Professional Engineer and founder of Pneutek, Inc. The pneumatic fastening tools and methods Haytayan invented have helped make mechanical fastenings for attaching steel deck the leading process in the industry.
By Bryan McClure We currently live in a world with ever-changing challenges as it relates to fall protection. It used to be as simple as telling workers to “stay tied off 100% of the time.” Or “make sure your anchor point can support your pickup truck (5000 lbs.)!” At the time, it was a victory just to get workers to tie off. But since the early 1990s, there have been great strides in fall protection planning, training and
development. Product innovation has also helped to protect ironworkers from falls in ways we never expected 25 years ago. These innovations have led to a multitude of different products and manufacturers, all with different acceptable uses and component compatibilities. As a result, equipment is often used incorrectly or in the wrong situations. These are three of the most common mistakes I frequently see on steel erection sites. SEAA supports the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. The week-long focus on fall prevention will be held May 3-7, 2021.
Erectors are encouraged to plan events at their job sites. In April, SEAA will distribute to members tips for holding an effective safety stand down and recommendations on topics relevant to fall prevention in steel erection. Members will have the option to order banners and hard stickers to utilize during their events. In addition, SEAA member Trivent Safety Consulting will offer members a free virtual Ironworkers Fall Protection Awareness class on May 5, 2021 at 11 AM MST taught by Scott Seppers. The one hour class will focus on Overview of OSHA’s Fall Protection Standards for Ironworkers- Subpart R & Subpart M; SRl’s- Overhead vs. Leading/Sharp Edge; and Fall Arrest Component Compatibility. “We suggest choosing a topic that employees will relate to, either something that is specific to your job site or workforce or that comes from past incidents or near misses,” suggests Glen Pisani of MAS Building & Bridge in Massachusetts and a SEAA board member. “The tips and banner packages are designed to make this easy for erectors of all sizes,” said Pisani. SEAA members can post their event photos on social media using hashtags #standdown4safety and #seaa. Members can order their SEAA Stands with Ironworkers banner and hard hat stickers at www.seaa.net/standdown.html. “The materials aren’t dated, so they can be used again and again for future Fall Prevention Stand Down meetings,” said Pisani. Deadline to place an order is April 19.  The second round of the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loans opened on January 11, 2021. The U.S. Small Business Administrations (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Treasury released the final guidance for first time applications, and stronger stipulations for second time borrowers.
Forgivable PPP loans require that 60 percent of the loan pay employees & wages and 40 percent is used for rent, utilities, mortgage interest payments and other expenses. First time applicants can apply for loan coverage for any length between 8 and 24 weeks. Among the other business-related expenses that can be covered by the loan are supplier costs and property damage. Second time borrowers must have fewer than 300 employers, and must prove that they suffered at least a 25 percent drop in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020. Reduce Spread of Coronavirus in Construction with While the world continues to wait for a vaccine for COVID-19, employers will need to remain up to date and vigilant on safety protocols on the jobsite, especially as we head into the winter months.
A study, published on October 29, 2020, by the University of Texas at Austin, found a connection between construction sites that did not have COVID-19 restrictions in place, and higher hospitalization rates in surrounding areas. The study, based on residents in the Austin-Round Rock metro area, discovered that the risk of coronavirus hospitalization in the construction industry is five times more than other occupations. However, on construction sites where safety measures were in place, including equipment cleaning, protective equipment and limits on worker capacity, transmission risk was decreased by 50%. As of October 30, 2020, OSHA has cited 144 establishments, with penalties totaling over $2 million dollars. While the majority of violations are in healthcare and food processing, the construction industry can use this information to better understand what the most frequent citations are. It is recommended by the CDC and OSHA that employers create a plan to protect employees to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on construction job sites. CPWR has created an Exposure Control Planning Tool that can help employers develop a written plan to help protect employees, keep job sites open, and help prevent delays.  NCCER’s new Find a Center training map lets craft trainees and entry-level workers search over 3,300 locations open to the public. Users can filter by location and specific crafts, such as welding, pipefitting or carpentry, to find training in their area.
For experienced craft professionals looking to take a journey-level assessment, the Find a Center assessment map provides testing facilities by location or company name. NCCER’s complete series of journey-level written assessments evaluate the knowledge of an individual in a specific craft area and provide a prescription for upgrade training when needed. Check out the map and view a directory of accredited organizations. Fairfax, VA, September 1, 2020 – The Fifth Annual Industry Forum on Personnel Qualifications has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2020 as a virtual event, the NCCCO Foundation has announced. As previously reported, Scott Ketcham, Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction, will once again provide the keynote address and participate in a Q&A session that will conclude the conference.
The Forum will build on the success of previous events and focus on the latest developments in regulations and best industry practices as they pertain to the qualifications of personnel working in, with, and around cranes and other types of lifting equipment. “In light of the imminent publication of OSHA’s Compliance Directive, we anticipate the session on the Foundation’s newly-published Most Similar Certifications Directory to be highly popular,” said NCCCO Foundation CEO, Graham Brent. Other sessions will focus on who’s responsible for what on jobsites, why certification is so important for riggers, signalpersons, lift directors and others even when it may not be required, what’s “bubbling under” with new B30 standards, and what new certification programs are being developed. The last Forum was held in Crosby, Texas in October 2019 and attracted a record attendance of more than 100 industry representatives from all facets of the lifting industry. A survey of attendees’ experience was highly positive. “Response to the last Forum was exceptional,” said Brent, “with fully 94% of delegates rating the event as meeting or exceeding their expectations.” “It’s not every day that you get access to those, like OSHA Director Ketcham, who are on the front lines of regulatory issues,” said Brent, “which is why the question-and-answer panel discussion proved so popular last time and while we will be reprising it again this time around.” “We pack a lot into a four-hour window. With a dozen or so separate presentations, we ensure there’s always something for everyone,” he added. There is no charge to attend the Forum, but registration is required here. ---------------------------- The NCCCO Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization dedicated to the promotion of construction industry safety through three major pathways: education, research and workforce development. By facilitating access to training and certification by youth, veterans and underserved communities through scholarships and grants, the Foundation seeks to ensure a safe and skilled workforce now and for the future.  2020 National Safety Stand-Down September 14-18
Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 320 of the 1,008 construction fatalities recorded in 2018 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. Addressing falls in construction is the reason why each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) holds a National Safety Stand-Down to prevent Falls in the Construction industry. OSHA encourages employers to take a break to focus on safety concerns surrounding falls from elevation. Stand-down events provide employers and workers the opportunity to talk about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety and health programs, goals, and expectations. Last year, thousands of worksites participated in the campaign and the Stand-Down event reached over a million workers. OSHA invites employers to dedicate themselves yet again to the safety of their most valuable resource: their workers. OSHA’s Stand-Down webpage offers information on conducting a successful event, and educational resources. Employers are encouraged to provide feedback after their events, and to obtain a personalized certificate of participation. The National Safety Stand-Down is a joint effort between OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. To learn how you can participate in the Stand-Down, visit www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown.  Despite a major push for broad infrastructure funding in the U.S. House of Representatives, recent
disruptions to the U.S. economy will extend the current recession possibly into 2021. Fallout from COVID-19, financial and equity market volatility, Federal Reserve emergency policies, and lower oil prices are contributing to the uncertainty, FMI reports in its second-quarter Outlook. “Based on the speed, breadth, and apparent lasting impacts of these various factors,” FMI is anticipating the current recession to continue through the remainder of 2020 and possibly into 2021, according to the report. Other factors include the uncertainty of the 2020 presidential election and social unrest. “Depth and reach of these disruptions will remain under close watch,” stated the consulting firm. Amid the uncertainty, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the $1.5 trillion Moving Forward Act, an infrastructure bill that would earmark funds for surface transportation, airport, school, housing, healthcare, energy, water, and broadband coverage. “However it also includes numerous anti-merit shop provisions opposed by Associated Builders and Contractors,” reports the organization. “By requiring anti-competitive provisions, such as government-mandated project labor agreements and inflationary Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements, this bill will dissuade contractors from bidding on projects, drive up overall costs and exclude the overwhelming majority of America’s construction industry professionals who choose not to join a union,” maintains the ABC. These measures would also have a devastating impact on small construction businesses that are seeking to recover from the ongoing health and economic crisis caused by COVID-19, ABC believes: “The path forward on repairing our nation’s infrastructure should be rooted in fair and open competition and equal opportunity, not policies that favor big labor and costly, ineffective federal mandates.” Other issues cloud the construction industry’s economic outlook. Nonresidential construction spending declined 0.9 percent in May, based on U.S. Census Bureau data analyzed by ABC. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $812.5 billion for the month, according to ABC. Private nonresidential spending declined 2.4 percent in May and public nonresidential construction spending increased 1.2 percent. However, the Associated General Contractors reports that construction activity returned to pre- coronavirus levels in 34 states, based on data on workers’ hours analyzed by Procore. An association survey found that only 8 percent of construction firms were forced to furlough or lay off workers in June while 21 percent report adding employees, compared to one-in-four firms letting workers go between March and May. “But it is important to remember that construction activity typically increases quite a bit between March 1 and the end of May as the weather improves and more work gets underway,” Ken Simonson, AGC chief economist, commented. “Getting to March 1 levels is a sign of progress, but it doesn’t mean things are back to normal.” Simonson added that the data show the severe toll the pandemic took on the construction industry. For example, 61 percent of firms report having had at least one project halted or canceled because of the pandemic. One in four firms report that construction materials shortages, caused by lock downs and trade disruptions, are causing delays on current projects. Meanwhile, the Procore data found that smaller firms experienced more severe declines in construction activity during the pandemic than larger firms. Resources AGC Chief Economist Ken Simonson AGC Survey June 18 Procore Construction Activity Index ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu FMI Construction Forecast  Two recent reports assess the occupational risks of the Coronavirus in construction as compared to other industries. Cody Charland, in a blog post for Safran Law Offices, Raleigh, N.C., reports that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found that “construction workers were listed in the third quartile for physical proximity to others (Avg. 62.3), yet first quartile for exposure to diseases (Avg. 8.3).” Another study by the World Economic Forum ranked construction above the average risk for contact with others, physical proximity, and exposure.
Though outdoor construction work offers natural advantages in preventing the spread of coronavirus, precautions still should be taken. Points of transmission which could cause present and future outbreaks remain, including shared tools, as well as common spaces such as outdoor toilets, job site trailers, and work vehicles. According to Jordan Hollingsworth, Field Operations Manager, in a blog post for Safety Management Group, “Construction projects must develop and implement a Site-Specific Health and Safety Plan consistent with best practices. Every construction project involves unique characteristics and circumstances, so what is appropriate and feasible for each project may be different.” While the CDC offers construction-specific guidelines, Hollingsworth shared some additional insight. Tailgate safety meetings, for example, should follow CDC guidelines limiting the number of people to 10 or should be executed via video briefings. Charland also suggests monitoring site logistics. Deliveries should be planned with contact and cleaning protocols, choke points should be identified and barriers installed to limit physical access, and community food areas, like coffeepots and water dispensers, should be eliminated. “Shared tools should be eliminated wherever possible and all tools should be cleaned regularly. Any shared equipment (including tools and vehicles) should be disinfected before and after each use, with disinfectant wipes readily available,” says Charland, who also recommends aerial lifts be used by just one person at a time, unless additional PPE is worn. The CDC reminds construction workers that cloth face coverings are NOT appropriate substitutes where masks or respirators are recommended or required. Cleaning and disinfecting should be done at the beginning and end of every shift and after anyone uses your vehicle, tools, or workstation. Employers should provide soap, clean running water, and materials for drying hands, or alcohol-based hand sanitizers at multiple stations, and install temporary or mobile handwashing stations with single-use paper towels, or provide a large (5+ gallon) bucket with a lid and tap for handwashing. Regularly clean and disinfect the tap and provide fresh clean water daily. Finally, an article from EHS Today notes, “Few of the guidance documents tell you how to select or use disinfecting chemicals and methods.” The article by Neal Langerman with Advanced Chemical Safety attempts to fill that gap. Resources How Construction Compares to Other Industries with Coronavirus from Safran Law Offices Best Construction Safety Practices for COVID-19 from Safety Management Group What Construction Workers Need to Know about COVID-19 from CDC Sanitizing and Disinfecting Your Business During the Pandemic from EHS Today  The Steel Joist Institute (SJI) has released Version 2.0 of its Joist Girder Moment Connections. The new downloadable version includes updates to the AISC’s 2016 specifications for most spreadsheets. In the new version, SJI also revised reference manuals to make them easier to follow.
Other updates include spreadsheets that are corrected and matched to each reference manual example, and figures that have been reviewed and modified for consistency, along with new notes and clarifying dimensions. SJI’s Design Tools include Joist Girder Moment Connections to the Strong Axis of Wide Flange Columns; Strong Axis of Wide Flange Columns-Intermediate Levels; Weak Axis of Wide Flange Columns; HSS Columns – Top Plate; HSS Columns – Knife Plates; and Wide Flange Columns – Knife Plates. “The tools were developed to assist the Structural Engineer of Record, the connection designer, and the steel fabricator with the complex task of designing appropriate connections between joist girders and columns,” according to SJI’s website. The tool can be downloaded at steeljoist.org, and once in your cart, allows you access to the Joist Girder Moment Connection Design Tools.  OSHA has postponed the 7th annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, originally scheduled for May, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be rescheduled this summer, but OSHA urges vigilance on the jobsite.
Because falls remain the leading cause of fatal injuries to construction workers, while the National Stand-Down is postponed OSHA encourages employers to use all available resources for worker safety. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.  Five steel industry groups are pushing Congress to include significant infrastructure investment in the next phase of COVID-19 stimulus legislation. The goal is to provide a clear path toward our nation’s recovery.
The letter was sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer, according to a steel.org report. The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA), The Committee on Pipe and Tube Imports (CPTI), and Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) reiterated that 38% of America’s 616,000 bridges are in need of replacement or rehabilitation. “Making a long-term and robust infrastructure investment now will not only respond to the urgent transportation system needs, but it also will create high-paying jobs allowing businesses and families to recover from this extremely difficult economic shock,” they wrote. “With such a staggering backlog of substandard bridges, there is significant opportunity to put Americans back to work and back on the road to economic recovery. “We can…improve quality of life in our cities, towns, and rural areas and drive commerce and supplies across our nation by making infrastructure investment a critical component of the next stimulus package by including Buy America provisions and using domestically produced and fabricated steel.” The groups concluded that the infrastructure supply chain for steel products used in highway and bridge construction “starts with American steel producers, who have revolutionized the industry by developing clean and efficient steelmaking processes at mills located strategically throughout the country,” noting that steel is sold directly or through national distributors to construction companies and steel fabricators who have built plants, and created jobs, in virtually every congressional district in America.  The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) attended its first ConExpo-Con/Agg show last
week in Las Vegas, Nev. Despite the decision by show organizer Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to close the show a day early due to uncertainty over COVID-19, registration for the event totaled more than 130,000. SEAA’s experience was a positive one. “In spite of the recent health crisis, we were able to make great connections with industry professionals and SEAA member companies,” said Tom Underhill, Executive Director of SEAA. “Participation gave SEAA exposure to an international construction audience.” Drew Heron, Project Manager for Empire Steel, who volunteered at SEAA’s booth, said: “The show is so much bigger than one could ever imagine. You have the opportunity to see so many new tools, products and technologies that could really benefit the industry and SEAA member companies,” said Heron. “AEM is to be commended for the way they handled the unprecedent situation with the pandemic. In true Vegas fashion, the show must go on!” Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Construction: Liability, Recordability, and Financial Implications3/17/2020
Over the past few weeks, it’s become clear that the world is facing a remarkable health crisis.
The coronavirus pandemic has now been detected in most countries worldwide, creating personal, practical, and legal implications for those in the construction industry. To address business considerations of the COVID-19 threat, employers should consider multiple categories of concern:
Recordability, EMR, and Insurance Costs A recent publication from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has confirmed that COVID- 19 is a recordable event; this means that employees who contract the virus while at work must be recorded on an employer’s OSHA300 Log. These cases may be compensable under Worker’s Compensation if it can be proven that the virus was contracted on the job (which is fairly simple to uphold if multiple employees become infected at the same time). In other states, it has already been decided that Worker’s Compensation will be extended to workers exposed to COVID-19 on the job and will be inclusive of time in quarantine, medical testing, medical expenses, and indemnity payments while out of work. Considering the long incubation and recovery periods associated with COVID-19, these recordable events are likely to have high levels of “Days Away From Work” and “Restricted Duty”; furthermore, due to the contagious nature of the virus, there is significant potential for multiple cases within a company after the first case appears. An employer’s Experience Modification Rate (EMR) is calculated based upon both of these figures (number of claims and severity of claims). This means that a COVID-19 situation in the workplace has the potential to make a company’s EMR, as well as the corresponding insurance premiums, skyrocket. These figures are kept on a company’s record for a total of three years, thus impacting the ability to bid and receive work long term. Legal Considerations When thinking about the legal implications of COVID-19, employers should consider the regulatory requirements outlined by various parties. A few of the regulatory agencies most pertinent to the construction industry, as well the standards which apply to the COVID-19 pandemic, are outlined below: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Financial Considerations Due to COVID-19’s impact on global supply chains, it is likely that the spread of the virus will result in delays and cost overruns in the construction industry. China, one of the world’s largest exporters of building materials, is currently experiencing a 17.2% decline in exports. The party that bears the risk and the losses resulting from construction delays and increased costs associated with materials shortages will be dictated by contract. Contractors would be wise to review contracts currently underway and consider making revisions to contracts soon approaching.
The data surrounding coronavirus spread in the United States is staggering, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) are encouraging continued adjustments and accommodations in the work setting. As business leaders, it is important to consider all categories noted above while navigating this chaotic period. The importance of emergency action planning, business continuity, and remote work/alternate revenue sources cannot be over stressed. Written by: - Julia Kunlo, Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Vice President of Evolution Safety Resources - Ashley L. Felton, Senior Counsel, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP - Adam P. Banks, Senior Counsel, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP New ANSI A92 standards for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, which were supposed to go into effect on March 1, have been pushed back. The new effective date is June 1.
NCCCO Foundation has released a new web-based tool to help employers navigate OSHA’s rules
on crane operator qualifications. Who’s Accredited? Directory, is designed to take the guesswork out of determining whether or not a certification organization’s programs are accredited. It provides a direct link to the accredited certification maintained by the two bodies that OSHA recognizes- ANSI and NCCA.
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