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.

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.

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.

Summary
In July 2019, 3M issued stop use and product recall notices on two products frequently used by ironworkers in steel erection applications.

The first is 3M™ PROTECTA® Cobra Mobile/Manual Rope Grab AC202D, which is incorrectly stamped for use with 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter rope on the exterior body of the unit. This Cobra Rope Grab is certified for use ONLY with 5/8 inch diameter polyester or polypropylene rope. All marketing information and the Instructions for Use (IFU) for this rope grab correctly identify the size of rope to be used as 5/8 inch polyester/polypropylene rope.

In the event of a fall from height, a Cobra Rope Grab used with 1/2 inch diameter rope may not arrest the fall and could result in serious injury or death to the worker.

3M Fall Protection has determined that the 3M™ PROTECTA® Cobra Mobile/Manual Rope Grab AC202D is incorrectly stamped for use with 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter rope on the exterior body of the unit. This Cobra Rope Grab is certified for use ONLY with 5/8 inch diameter polyester or polypropylene rope. All marketing information and the Instructions for Use (IFU) for this rope grab correctly identify the size of rope to be used as 5/8 inch polyester/polypropylene rope.

In the event of a fall from height, a Cobra Rope Grab used with 1/2 inch diameter rope may not arrest the fall and could result in serious injury or death to the worker. To remedy this situation, 3M is launching a Stop Use & Product Recall to replace all AC202D and related Cobra Rope Grabs that are stamped 1/2"—3/4" Dia.

Users/Owners: Immediately stop using and inspect your Cobra Rope Grab as described below:

• Step 1: Verify the rope diameter is stamped 1/2"—3/4" Dia on the front side of the unit
  
• Step 2: Verify the rope grab is stamped PROTECTA COBRA on the front side of the unit
  
• Note: If the unit is stamped 5/8 inch diameter OR if the unit has a white label showing 5/8 inch diameter, then the unit is safe to return to normal use (see image on right for correct 5/8” diameter marking).