e news may 2016

Website  |    Events  |  Join SEAA  |  Safety Flash  |  Contact Participation Needed in Safety and Training Surveys Fall Rescue Survey SEAA is conducting a survey to understand the impact training and fall protection have on falls resulting in no injuries, and to assess the level of rescue training contractors are performing. Survey Length: 11 Questions Spanish Ironworker Training Materials Survey SEAA and NCCER are conducting a joint survey to determine the level of interest in the creation of Spanish-language Ironworker, Rigger, and Signal Person craft training materials.  Survey Length: 8 Questions START SURVEY START SURVEY Convention Recap Incoming President Sets Goals for Ironworker Recruitment and Retention Josh Cilley, President of American Steel & Precast Erectors (ASPE) and Buckner Steel Erection, a Division of Buckner Companies, was inducted as President of the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) in April. Cilley will serve a two-year term. He succeeds Stephen Burkholder, President of S&R Enterprises, who was instrumental in the implementation of SEAA's Ironworker Training and Apprenticeship program. During Burkholder's presidency, Cilley served as Vice President.  Among Cilley's goals for the association over the next two years is a focus on employee retention and recruitment. According to Cilley, during the economic boom of the early 2000s, the construction industry was focused on the need to recruit a new workforce. "Those efforts were shelved during the recession. We need to refocus our strategy to educate parents, school counselors, and middle or high school students about the good career paths ironworking and steel erection offer," he said. More 2016 Gala at Charlotte Motor Speedway Highlight of Convention Sherrie Wilkerson and Carla Clifton More than 360 steel construction professionals turned out for the 44th annual convention of the Steel Erectors Association of America, held April 27-29, 2016 in Charlotte/Concord, N.C. This is nearly a 20% increase over last year. A highlight of the conference was the Gala Awards Banquet held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which 55 attendees took part in. More than 50 companies participated in the two-day tradeshow, with 14 being first-time exhibitors. One of those companies, shipping and supply chain management services company Estes Express Lines, found the event to be beneficial. "This convention was the best one I've ever attended. Our company met more potential new customers at this convention than we have at any other that I've attended. We didn't meet anyone that wasn't friendly and helpful in explaining their company business model. I have already connected with many of the companies we met at the convention and we plan to do business moving forward," said Arlyn Wall, District Sales Manager for Estes Express Lines. More CONVENTION PHOTO GALLERY Industry Reports AWP Fatal Accident Rate Remains Constant The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) reports that the fatal injury rate for aerial work platforms (AWPs) remains constant, even though AWP rental fleet and number of rental days worldwide increased from 2013 to 2015. According to IPAF's 2015 accident data and preliminary fatal injury rate calculations, the main causes of AWP fatalities were due to fall from height (31%), overturn (27%), electrocution (15%) and entrapment (15%). More Workforce Development and Training Top Priority for Steel Erection Contractors During an industry roundtable discussion on April 29, 2016 at SEAA's 44th Convention and Trade Show in Charlotte/Concord, N.C., SEAA members and NCCER representatives discussed challenges employers face with recruiting and training new workers. Dan Belcher, NCCER's Director of Workforce Development, encouraged SEAA members to get involved in local and regional programs such as SkillsUSA competitions and October Careers in Construction events.  Meanwhile, Tim Edridge, SEAA's Craft Training and Assessment Coordinator shared updates on the Ironworker Craft Training Program. "Individual members are driving much of the Ironworker workforce development efforts, while SEAA is also working to build partnerships with secondary and post-secondary schools, economic development boards, state association boards, such as the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama, and SkillsUSA or Construction Career Day events," he said. More Crane Operator Certification Revisions Not Expected Until End of 2016 Amendments to the Cranes and Derricks standard, including revisions to crane operator qualifications requirements, were slated to be introduced for proposed rulemaking by the end of the 1Q 2016. However, certification professionals now say that OSHA won't do so until after the 2016 U.S. presidential election. More Study Shows Payoff for Safety Investment is Improved Project Quality, ROI, and Employee Retention/Recruitment A new study from Dodge Data & Analytics examines the safety culture of 254 contractors.Nearly one-third (32%) of contractors fall in the high end of the safety culture spectrum, based on their level of use of the 33 leading indicators. Many more companies at the high end of the spectrum report impressive business benefits resulting from their safety investments than those at the low end.  The new Building a Safety Culture SmartMarket Report, available for free download, was produced in partnership with CPWR (The Center for Construction Research and Training) and United Rentals, along with 12 other organizations. More Member News Bylaws Amendments Pass Bylaws amendments presented to membership for a vote in March received two-thirds affirmative vote, and have been approved. New bylaws are effective immediately.  Register for Educational Golf Fundraiser by July 1 to Save The Educational Fundraiser Golf Tournament, to be held Oct. 7, 2016 at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh, N.C., benefits projects of the Safety and Education Committee. A $25 discount is available on registrations made by July 1. Last year 96 golfers participated in the Texas Scramble style tournament. High turnout is expected again this year. An informational session on SEAA's Ironworker Craft Training and USDOL Apprenticeship programs will kick off the tournament. More Ironworker Education Grant Awarded to All Things Metal LLC The Education Committee of the Steel Erectors Association of America has issued a $4500 grant to All Things Metal LLC, Phoenix, Ariz., to help cover startup costs for establishing Ironworker Craft Training and Apprenticeship at its company. This is the first time the SEAA Education Committee has awarded this grant. "Qualified talent is getting harder to find. Many high school graduates are pursuing colleges and tech jobs. As the baby boomers retire, it is more and more critical that we train a new skilled workforce. As we began looking at hiring and training new people, our research led us to SEAA and their training and apprenticeship programs," said Jeremy MacLiver, Chief Operations Officer of All Things Metal LLC. More Eddie Williams, Pete Walker Honored at 2016 SEAA Convention Eddie Williams SEAA honored two individuals for their service to the steel erection industry at its 44th Annual Convention and Tradeshow in Charlotte-Concord, N.C. Eddie Williams, CEO and Chairman of Buckner Companies, Graham, N.C., was named Person of the Year, while Pete Walker, retired President of Phoenix Steel Erectors, Haymarket, Va., received Lifetime Membership. "Eddie is our senior statesman, and his wise counsel and suggestions over the course of more than 60 years have shaped this association and the industry as we know it today," said Alan Sears, Awards Chairman and Pete Walker (left)  and Tom Underhill Banquet Host.  Upon being named Lifetime Member, Walker said: "I was so impressed with the aspirations of this group of steel erectors who wanted to make the industry better for everyone that I immediately got involved. The organization has been a great personal and professional benefit to me. I am leaving with a lot more than I came with. I'm very honored, and accept this award with a lot of pride." More Basden Steel, Big B Crane, and Deem Structural Services featured in International Cranes Magazine A building expansion project for a leading global aerospace company in Texas involved the colloboration of SEAA member companies. The contract included a tight schedule for steel and building slab erection of the two story structure. "We had to complete 1,300 picks within a very short time period," explained Daniel Basden, Big B Crane president, "and 120 picks included objects weighing 11,000 pounds or greater." More 2015 Project of the Year Winners Class I Erection Contract up to $500,000 LPR Construction, Loveland, Colo. I-255 Florida Pedestrian Bridge, Aurora, Colo. Class II Erection Contract $500,000 to $1 million Gabriel Steel Erectors Inc., Montgomery, N.Y. 625 West 57th St., Manhattan, N.Y. Class III Erection Contract over $1 million to $2.5 million CSE Inc., Madison Heights, Va. Liberty University Fine Arts School of Music, Lynchburg, Va. Class IV Erection Contract over $2.5 million Bracken Construction Co. Inc., Jackson, Miss. University of Mississippi Basketball Arena, Oxford, Miss. Welcome New Members Angelico Construction Co. Sulphur, LA Erector 0-3 Million Columbia Safety Atlanta, GA Supplier & Manufacturer ML Cranes & Equipment Charlotte, NC Supplier & Manufacturer MSC Safety Solutions Westminster, CO Services Rigid Global Buildings Houston, TX Fabricator Senneker Steel Erectors Inc. Wayland, MI Erector 0-3 Million Superior Cranes Inc. Rockingham, NC Specialty Service Safety Flash: Time to Comply with Globally Harmonized Safety Data Sheets Download OSHA Hazard Communication Pictograms to comply with new SDS requirements. After years of controversy, a Globally Harmonized System for labeling safety information on chemical containers has finally been created. In 2012, OSHA published its variation, the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Full compliance by U.S. employers, including steel erection contractors, begins June 1, 2016.   How does this effect the steel erection industry?  Some of the chemicals steel erectors might have on their job sites include Oxygen, acetylene, welding rods, and grinding discs. As of June 1, 2016, employers should have completed all of the required steps to be in compliance with the standard. OSHA listed the six steps needed for full compliance in an OSHA FactSheet. More In the News Utility Contractor: Four Personalities Essential to Construction Companies More Crane Hot Line:  Millenials in Construction More ISHN: Safety in Construction eBook More Construction Marketing Association: 5 Success Factors for Construction Firms More ENR: How HR and Marketing can work together to impact construction firms More Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.