The American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) updated A92.20/22/24 standards go into effect this December. Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) will now become known exclusively as Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, or MEWPs. MEWPs will be classified as Groups A and B and Types 1, 2, or 3. Type is determined by how MEWPs are driven to, from, and around job sites.

SEAA, which is a member of the Skilled Trades Coalition, recently attended the second formal meeting of the newly established group. The organization’s members include the American Welding Society, American Institute of Steel Construction, and more than a dozen others.

NCCER, SEAA’s partner in the development of the association’s Ironworker Craft Training materials, is seeking Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assist with revisions to the Reinforcing Ironwork and Ironworking curriculum.

Frankel Media Group, on behalf of NCCER, recently survey more than 500 parents in Virginia about their opinion of careers in construction for their children. According to NCCER, parents and teachers are among the primary influencers on the career paths chosen by students.

Effective safety and health programs tap into workers' collective experience, knowledge, and insight in order to find solutions to workplace safety and health challenges. SEAA encourages steel fabricators and erectors to participate in Safe + Sound Week, August 12-18.

Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide event to celebrate the successes of businesses that have implemented safety and health programs in the workplace. The week-long recognition is August 12-18.

Vicki O’Leary, General Organizer for Safety and Diversity for the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers, has received an Award of Excellence from Engineering News-Record magazine.

According to the American Society of Safety Professionals based on research by the CDC, suicide rates are highest among males in the construction and extraction occupational groups.

The SpeedCore System is a new method of composite structural-steel framing, designed to replace the common reinforced concrete core in steel office-tower construction. The method saves time and money, and offers reduced wall thickness, better flexibility for adaptive re-use, and increased blast resistance.

Effective February 6, 2019, the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) each published, in the Federal Register, a final rule adjusting the maximum amount of each civil money penalty (CMP) within their jurisdiction to account for inflation.

According to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015, federal agencies must adjust their maximum CMPs annually by using an inflation multiplier provided by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  For 2019, the OMB’s inflation multiplier is 1.02522.

To help the powered access industry move toward compliance with the updated ANSI A92 suite of Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) standards, IPAF has issued guidance in the form a four white papers, which are free to download. Published Dec. 10, 2018, the updated ANSI A92 suite has an effective date of December 2019. IPAF is also addressing the Canadian CSA standards, implemented in May, 2018.

SEAA and member companies are taking an active role in skilled trades recruitment through a variety of initiatives that bring together organizations and industries that align with structural steel construction.

In its Q3 2018 Commercial Construction Index, the USG Corporation and U.S. Chamber of Commerce found that the scarce labor pool is affecting more than performance and jobsite efficiency. According to survey respondents, 80 percent of contractors say that skilled labor shortages also impact jobsite safety.

According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, also known as CPWR, about 26 workers die every year using aerial lifts, reports Safety+Health. The main causes of these accidents are electrocution, falls and tip-overs or getting stuck between the bucket, or guardrail and an object. Meanwhile, ANSI A92.20 from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and CSA B354.6 from the CSA Group, formerly Canadian Standards Association, are working to raise the standard of training for using aerial lifts. According to a report by Rental Management, the new standards will make rental stores train and prepare their customer service staff on how to help customers select the appropriate machine needed for a job. Technical maintenance staff will be trained on the new features of the machines as well as the new calibration procedures to make the transition to new equipment as easy as possible.

OSHA has published the final rule clarifying certification requirements for crane operators, which becomes effective on December 9, 2018. Operators can be certified either by type of crane and capacity of crane, or by type of crane only. This revision of a 2010 requirement, which was effective Nov. 10, 2018, ensures more accredited testing organizations are eligible to meet OSHA’s certification program requirements, according to an announcement released by the agency.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is a proud Partner of OSHA’s national Safe + Sound Campaign. The Safe + Sound Campaign encourages every workplace in the U.S. to have a safety and health program, a proactive approach to identifying and managing workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness.

The Steel Erectors Association of America has joined other industry stakeholders in publicly supporting seven policy recommendations to make the United States the world leader in workforce development.

RT 335, issued this month, tackles the topic: “Restoring the Dignity of Work: Transforming the U.S. Workforce Development System into a World Leader.” This advocacy document is meant to educate local, state, and federal legislators on why reforming our workforce system is critical. It outlines seven policies that can be implemented in less than three years that will positively impact workforce development.

The American National Standards Institute approved in early July the publication of a new standard to address the need for dropped object prevention and tool tethering. ANSI/ISEA 121-2018: American National Standard for Dropped Object Prevention Solutions was developed by safety equipment manufacturers working with the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA).

The Steel Erectors Association of America is a proud Partner of the national Safe + Sound Campaign. The Safe + Sound Campaign encourages every workplace in the U.S. to have a safety and health program, a proactive approach to identifying and managing workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness.

If you’re involved in the design or construction of steel buildings or bridges, NASCC: The Steel Conference is the premiere opportunity to immerse yourself in the latest design concepts, construction techniques and cutting-edge research while engaging with thousands of industry professionals. The 2018 conference takes place April 11-13 in Baltimore, Md., and offers more than 130 sessions covering a wide array of topics and more than 200 exhibitors showcasing products ranging from fabrication equipment to structural design software. Registration for the conference is now open at www.aisc.org/nascc.

Sessions focus on structural engineering, steel fabrication, erection, detailing, business issues and technology. The program also offers a full track on legal issues, such as delay claims, contracts and bidding, as well as a tailored collection of sessions for architects. More

2019 Speakers Needed

Meanwhile, convention planning committees are already seeking speakers for the 2019 event. Erectors interested in suggesting topics should contact Mark Yerke, S&R Enterprises, at [email protected] by Jan. 26, 2018.