E Newsletter september 2019

September Connector Newsletter

Connector | September 2019 Website Membership Events Craft Training Subscribe Association News SEAA Participates in Skilled Trades Coalition 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. “The group consists of manufacturing, fabrication, and construction associations, which have come together to tackle similar challenges in recruiting qualified workers to their respective specialties,” said Tom Underhill, SEAA Executive Director, who attended the meeting held at AISC headquarters in Chicago. More. SEAA Makes Craft Training and Testing Available to College Students SEAA is expanding its relationship with technical and community colleges in order to bring NCCER accredited testing for craft professions, including the SEAA/NCCER ironworker program, to students in local communities. The partnership allows colleges to become members of SEAA, giving them access to the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training program, and other NCCER craft curriculum and assessments. More. Solve Workforce Challenges and Play Golf Join SEAA in Raleigh, N.C. on October 17 to find out how the association can help you implement ironworker craft training. There is no cost to attend the Meet & Greet, from 6-8pm at the Embassy Suites by Hilton, Crabtree/Raleigh. At the event, you can find out how SEAA member companies are solving their workforce development needs with SEAA/NCCER Craft Training. More . New Team Member Joins SEAA Staff Bryttany Freeman is the new Administrative Assistant and Social Media Coordinator for the Steel Erectors Association of America. As SEAA is expanding, Freeman is assisting Kathy Epperson in everyday operations as well as managing social media accounts for the association. More . Submit your Project of the Year Nominations The Steel Erectors Association of America is conducting its 16th annual Project of the Year national competition. Besides free publicity and peer and industry recognition, one previous recipient of the award says it gives employees and ironworkers a sense of pride in the company. “At the worker level, there can be sameness to the work—same welds, same connections, same steel, project after project. This is proof that we are better than the other guys. Having done the job well, safely and on schedule to a level that garnered national recognition—gives our workers a sense of pride and makes them partners in our efforts to maintain quality,” said Kurt Hettinger of S.L. Shaw Company Inc., Bakersfield, Calif. More . Advertise in SEAA's Annual Directory Connector Magazine Winter 2019 Issue Advertising Deadline: November 15th SEAA's Annual Membership Directory is used as a reference tool all year long by contractors, steel erectors, and fabricators. Call Chris Harrison, 660-287-7660 ConnectorSales@SEAA.net 2019 October Meet & Greet October 17, 2019 Raleigh, N.C. 2019 Annual Golf Tournament October 18, 2019 Raleigh, N.C. SEAA's 48th Annual Convention April 1, 2020 Charleston, N.C. Industry Reports ASCE Explores Structural Steel Failures A new book prepared by the Education Committee of the Forensic Engineering Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers explores failures in steel structures between 1970 and 2013. Failure Case Studies: Steel Structures provides a summary and review of eight case studies. The case studies are designed to promote failure literacy and to reduce risk to the public. This book serves as a reminder that learning from past failures can avoid similar failures in the future and lead to improved engineering practices. Harness Safety and Fall Protection Fall Protection-General Requirements has made OSHA’s “Top 10” citations list for eight years running. The body harness is the most critical piece of PPE that will most likely save an ironworker's life. It is also the heaviest, most uncomfortable piece of safety equipment ironworker deals with on a day to day basis. Selection and inspection of harnesses, plus proper understanding of tie-off procedures and types of connection points have been the focus of several articles in the news recently. These resources serve as a good reminder of best practices to prevent falls and what to do after a fall. More . Photo provided by Peterson Beckner Industries Understanding new Load Sensing Requirements for Work Platforms 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. Perhaps one of the most significant changes to design standards that will affect operation is load- sensing technology. Overload or load sensing systems must be included in the new MEWP design. Load sensing assesses the weight of operators and equipment in the work platform, and will only allow the machine to operate if the total load stays within the MEWP’s rated capacity. The machine will disable functionality if it exceeds it. More . BigRentz Trade School Scholarship Program 2019 During a study conducted in early 2019 by BigRentz is was shown that only 11% of young Americans believed they could get a high-paying job from attending a trade school. To combat this inaccurate view of trade schools BigRentz has launched a trade school scholarship program in order to support students who are looking to pursue a career in a skilled profession. Learn more about the scholarship program and how to apply here . News Briefs For Construction Pros: Recession Likely After 2020 Election Equipment World: When looking for veterans to hire, start with Guard and Reserve units BYF: Construction Careers Lead to Financial Stability Modern Steel Construction: Rainier Square Tower Tops Out in Only 10 Months NCCE R: Three Ways to Make an Impact in Workforce Development In this Issue of Fall 2019 Connector: Management : No Safety Silos. Read In the Field: Body Harnesses- Quality, Comfort are Key. Read Special Focus: Training Directory. Read Member Updates Ironworker Skills Institute now a Non-profit Educational Facility Garrison Steel, Pell City, Ala., has transitioned its SEAA/NCCER ironworker training program to a 501c3, a not-for-profit educational facility that is now the Ironworker Skills Institute. Garrison Steel partnered with a local community college to offer co-op education for high school students. Recent changes have allowed the Ironworker Skills Institute to transition to a trades program with local high schools and home school associations. Ironworker Skills Institute is able to offer this program at no cost to high school students due to grants and financial contributions from vendors and donors. The program is designed to guide the current workforce and the next generation of ironworkers and welders towards qualification and employment. “The program is producing young people who are on fire for being in the trades,” said John Garrison, CEO, who reports they have placed at least half of the students into jobs with his company as well as with his competitors. However, Garrison reminds would-be students: “Success doesn’t come without commitment of purpose and hard work.” More. Banker Steel Awarded Contract for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Banker Steel, Lynchburg, Va., will fabricate and erect 9,000 tons of structural steel for Turner Construction for a 17-story addition to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The building will be comprised of 565,000 square feet of office space, along with a fitness center, auditorium, and other amenities. More. Ashley Sling Releases new Tuff-Ash Sling Armor Sleeve Ashley Sling, Atlanta, Ga., announces the Tuff-Ash Sling Armor Sleeve. The strong, durable sleeves enable end users to take advantage of the benefits that textile slings can provide while ensuring significant improvements in safety. The sleeve is resistant to cutting, while also being flexible. It offers excellent resistance to sharp edges and outstanding abrasion resistance. The Sling Armor sleeve also offers identification and wear indicators. More . Simpson Strong-Tie Hosts Fellowship for Scholarship Recipients Simpson Strong-Tie hosted 32 scholarship program award recipients from universities across the country as part of its new fellowship program. The Simpson Strong-Tie Fellowship provides the opportunity to network with industry professionals, meet with Simpson Strong-Tie executives and fellow scholarship awardees. Since 1998 more than 850 scholarships have been awarded to nearly 100 participating universities. More. The Crosby Group Names New CEO The Crosby Group, Tulsa, Okla., has named Robert Desel CEO. He has served as Chief Commercial Officer since 2017, leading sales, marketing, and company strategies. Desel gained channel management and product support experience in his previous role as founding partner and CEO of Carlisle & Co. More. STAY CONNECTED ‌ ‌ ‌