SEAA ENEWS DECEMBER 2013

December 2013

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• SEAA NEWS
  • Project of the Year Nominations Due 1/31/14
  • SAVE THE DATE!!!
  • Jewett Completes Several Projects in New England
• LAWS & REGULATIONS
  • OSHA Schedules Public Meeting on Proposed Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries And Illnesses
• TRAINING
  • Craft Training Program for Ironworkers
• SAFETY
  • OSHA Requests Nominations for Membership on Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health
• INDUSTRY
  • Construction Industry Reports Skilled Labor Shortage
  • Access International 2013 Confidence Survey Mainly Positive
  • Manitou Introduces New, Updated Telehandlers in North America
  • New Guide for Stability Design of Steel Buildings Available from AISC
  • New Tool Changes Method of Setting Steel I-Beams
  • ARA Predicts North American Rental Growth to Increase
  • September Steel Shipments Up 8.9 Percent from Prior Year
  • 2014 ALH Conference Awards

SEAA NEWS

Project of the Year Nominations Due 1/31/14 - back to top NOTICE: POY Nominations Due 1/13/14! For more than 10 years, SEAA has recognized complex and unique steel erection projects throughout the world. Past winning projects demonstrated successful completion while overcoming unusual conditions, tight time constraints, or other challenges. Many of the jobs that have been recognized are public works projects, including bridges, highways, and overpasses. Others are new construction of museums, hospitals, sports arenas, airports, and more. Projects are recognized in three categories: Over $1 million, $500,000 to $1 million; and up to $500,000. To read about past winning projects as well as how you can submit a nomination, CLICK HERE. SAVE THE DATE!!! - back to top SEAA Annual Convention and Trade Show SEAA 42nd Annual Convention and Trade Show, March 12-14, 2014--Frisco, TX Embassy Suites/Frisco Hotel Convention Center and Spa CLICK HERE for more info. Wednesday, March 12 DAYTIME:: Fishing, golf, touring, shopping EVENING:: Opening reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres & Trade Show Thursday, March 13 DAYTIME:: Keynote address by George Hedley; Trade Show; Field & Management Sessions; Lunch; Tour EVENING:: Cocktail reception, Gala & Awards Ceremony Friday, March 14 DAYTIME:: Breakfast, business meeting, Board of Directors Meeting, Dallas Cowboys Stadium Tour EVENING:: Texas BBQ While you’re there… Cheer professional baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer teams at area stadiums Shop, dine and enjoy entertainment at Stonebriar Centre Mall and other area shopping venues Tee off at several area golf courses Go boating, fishing, swimming, or water skiing at Lake Lewisville or Lake Ray Hubbard Visit the Dallas Arts District, home to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the AT&T Performing Arts Center and other cultural venues Jewett Completes Several Projects in New England - back to top SEAA member Jewett Metal Buildings & Steel Erectors (JMB), a division of Jewett Construction Co., Inc., recently completed multiple projects in New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts. Working under Wright-Ryan Construction, JMB erected 14,000 square feet of structural steel for a new Agren Appliance store in Topsham, Maine. At Corning’s Kennebunk, Maine facility, Jewett erected 4000 square feet of structural steel and a mezzanine under Precision Welding. While working under Hebert Construction, JMB reinforced an existing structure at the MHG Ice Center in Saco in preparation for an expansion of the existing arena—a fast-track job with completion required prior to the July ice season. JMB also installed channels, beams and rod supports to the Thornton Academy library. Other Maine projects included installing column beams and a deck canopy at the University of New England’s Decary Hall in Biddeford under James McBrady Steel, and renovating the Portland Schools’ central kitchen under Langford & Low. In New Hampshire, JMB erected structural steel beams and columns for a new facility at 1400 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth, while working under Shawmut Steel. In Massachusetts, Jewett provided upgrades and metal siding replacement at Interstate Electric’s facility in Billerica. Working with parent company, Jewett Construction, JMB installed a structural steel canopy at Rt. 44 Toyota in Raynham, MA; erected a 9,000-square-foot Corle pre-engineered metal building at Pinkerton Place in Derry, NH; provided demolition and a 255-square-foot mezzanine for the new SIG SAUER corporate headquarters in Newington, NH; and provided miscellaneous metals work and siding installation at Suburban Subaru in Vernon, Connecticut. Jewett Metal Buildings & Steel Erectors—a member of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association, and Steel Fabricators of New England—provides professional, pre-engineered metal building sales, installation and consulting, erects structural steel, and provides welding and miscellaneous metals work to clients all over New England. Additional information about the firm can be found at http://www.jewettmetalbuildings.com/.

LAWS & REGULATIONS

OSHA Schedules Public Meeting on Proposed Rule to Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses - back to top The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has scheduled a public meeting on January 9, 2014 to allow interested parties to comment on the proposed rule to improve tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses. OSHA's proposed rule amends its current recordkeeping regulations to add requirements for the electronic submission of injury and illness information employers are already required to keep under existing standards, Part 1904. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday, January 9, 2014, at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. Requests to attend or speak at the meeting may be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail or facsimile. The deadline to request to attend the meeting as a speaker or observer is Friday, Dec. 13, 2013. See the Federal Register notice for more details. 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 ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov/index.html.

TRAINING

Craft Training Program for Ironworkers - back to top

SAFETY

OSHA Requests Nominations for Membership on Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health - back to top The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is accepting nominations for six new members to serve on the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). Nominations will be accepted from those interested in representing employees (2), employers (2), the public (1) and state safety and health agency (1) groups. Nominations may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Submissions may also be sent by mail or facsimile. See the Federal Register notice for details. The deadline for submissions is January 7, 2014. ACCSH, established under the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, advises the secretary of labor and assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on construction standards and policy matters. Additionally, the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health will meet December 5-6, 2013, in Washington, D.C. in Room C-5515, 1A-B, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20210. The meeting, to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. ET, will focus on these agenda items: remarks from Jordan Barab, deputy assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health updates from the Directorates of Construction and Standards and Guidance a presentation on the draft proposed standard on occupational exposure to beryllium a discussion on the OSHA 10- and 30-hour training courses. Some committee members will participate by teleconference. The meeting is open to the public.

INDUSTRY

Construction Industry Reports Skilled Labor Shortage - back to top The “2013 U.S. Construction Industry Talent Development Report” shows a shortage of skilled labor in the construction industry. The report comes from FMI, a leading provider of management consulting and investment banking to the engineering and construction industry. The report is based on responses across the country from a mix of general contractors and construction managers at firms of all sizes and specialties, including mechanical/plumbing and heavy/highway/civil. More than half of respondents report a shortage in skilled labor. In addition, as baby boomers retire, more than 75 percent of those surveyed said they were preparing for a leadership transition in three ways: Promoting internally Training to improve performance Providing internship and co-op programs Also, more than half of those surveyed said they were looking at the following items: Identifying gaps in core competencies Increasing recruiting efforts at schools and universities Employing “best practices” to retain key talent FMI recommends that construction experts evolve their methodology of searching for the best and smartest employees. First, construction careers must be made more appealing to women and minorities. Second, there must be an appeal to today’s youth through career counselors, career fairs and utilization of social media channels. The report includes additional details on steps construction companies can take now to bolster their workforce. To download a copy of the full report, click here. Access International 2013 Confidence Survey Mainly Positive - back to top The Access International 2013 Confidence Survey reports an overall belief that business overall is improving, although companies are proceeding cautiously. When asked to rate opportunity levels for their business over the next five years, 65.5% of participants expressed confidence, the highest rate since 2008 when it stood at 71.3%. The highest confidence rating to date was 72.5% in 2007. Breaking down those results for the manufacturers, rental companies and end users individually there is an increased level of positivity when it comes to purchasing plans or sales expectations. For example, 63% of rental companies worldwide say they will grow their fleet, compared to 33% last year. About half that number are planning only to replace equipment compared to last year. The positive numbers are tempered by the manufacturers, who are expecting a mixed year ahead. Those predicting more than 10% sales growth are markedly up by 7%, but there is a significant drop in those forecasting only 1 – 10% growth--from 55% last year to 39% this year. These figures appear slightly more realistic compared to last year. Emerging markets like Brazil and China present great opportunity but many challenges still limit sustained growth. The November/December issue of Access International will display all the graphs and regional analysis. Manitou Introduces New, Updated Telehandlers in North America - back to top Manitou's rotating MRT 1840 Easy Telehandler   Manitou’s MRT Series is designed to meet the needs of rental companies and contractors in construction applications with space constraints. The updated MRT Series includes the MRT 1840 Easy 360-degree, MRT 2150 Privilege Plus and MRT 2540 Privilege Plus. The MRT 1840 Easy 360 is powered by a 101-HP Perkins Interim Tier IV-certified turbocharged engine while the MRT 2150 Privilege Plus and MRT 2540 Privilege Plus are powered by 150-HP Mercedes-Benz EPA Tier III turbocharged engines. The engine automatically adapts itself to the needs of the transmission system. This design reduces fuel consumption by matching engine output to the machine’s operation, Manitou said. The two-speed hydrostatic transmission in all models provides power and control for precise placement of the machine. The MRT Series models feature 4-wheel drive and oscillating rear axles. With a lift height of 80 feet and 8.5 inches on the MRT 2540 Privilege Plus, operators can move materials to high buildings and structures and elevate work. Lift capacities are 11,000 pounds (5,000 kg) on the MRT 2150 Privilege Plus and 8,800 pounds (4,400 kg) on the MRT 1840 Easy 360 and MRT 2540 Privilege Plus models. The new E-RECO – Automatic Attachment Recognition – system comes standard on the MRT Series. The system automatically senses the attachment when correctly installed and assigns the correct load chart and safe operation zones. This allows the operator to know the lift capacities of the attachments he/she is using around the jobsite. Front and rear stabilizers come standard on the MRT Series. A telescopic scissor design on the Privilege Plus models allows the legs to be partially deployed when obstacles are present or space is limited. When the stabilizers and pads are retracted, they are integrated into the machine’s body. There is no loss of ground clearance or addition to machine width, Manitou said. An adaptable calculator adjusts the load chart and lifting zones based on the position of the stabilizers. For increased safety, an oscillating axle lock-out system engages when the machine is standing on its wheels and the upper structure is rotated by more than 15 degrees, allowing work to be completed with a larger area of stability for the machine. A spacious, ergonomic cab is equipped with two electro-hydraulic joysticks that control boom extension, turret swing, accessories, load lifting and fork tilting. The two joysticks allow simultaneous control of all machine movements. The armrests, steering wheel and seat are fully adjustable. An optional incline seat on the Privilege Plus models reclines the seat up to 13 degrees for operator comfort as the boom rises. Air conditioning and a full light package--work lights, road lights and beacon--are all included. All machine information is incorporated into an alphanumeric LCD control display that monitors axle alignment, steering selection, load levels, working zone limits, stabilizer mode and more. Hydraulic-function speed memory allows an operator to store maximum movement speeds of the boom lift, extend, fork tilt, turret rotation, and auxiliary hydraulic function. This allows the operation of the machine to be tailored to the working conditions and application. The optional remote control feature allows the MRT Series Telescopic Handlers to be controlled from a distance for additional versatility. For additional operator visibility, the optional video camera view allows visibility to areas of the machine that are difficult to view. The engine positioned to the side of the chassis allows for easy access from three sides. The air filter and battery are accessible through a hood at the rear of the chassis. External hydraulic hoses are positioned on the outside of the boom for quick maintenance access. Periodic maintenance and diagnosis display allows an operator to easily monitor machine maintenance. “The MRT Series Rotating Telescopic Handlers provide a unique solution to congested, urban jobsites where traditional telescopic handler use is difficult,” said Steve Kiskunas, Manitou Americas Telescopic Handler Product Manager. “With the telehandler, winch, and platform modes, the MRT Series provide exceptional versatility to customers. One machine can complete the work of many. With the new E-RECO attachment recognition system and hydraulic speed memory features, operation by multiple users is easy.” New Guide for Stability Design of Steel Buildings Available from AISC - back to top The new AISC Steel Design Guide No. 28, Stability Design of Steel Buildings, gives design professionals a valuable resource on practical applications for stability design for steel buildings. Authored by Lawrence Griffis, P.E., senior principal and president of the Structures Division at Walter P Moore, Austin, Texas, and Donald White, professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, this most recent addition to the AISC Design Guide series provides innovative methods for stability design, including the introduction of the direct analysis method, aligned with the design provisions in the 2005 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. "There’s been a great need for this Design Guide," said AISC Specification Committee Chair Shankar Nair, Ph.D., S.E., principal and senior vice president at Teng & Associates, Inc., Chicago. “The introduction of the direct analysis method of design for stability in the 2005 AISC Specification was a big step forward, on the way toward greater transparency in the rules governing the design of steel structures. But many practicing engineers found the change confusing. Larry Griffis and Don White participated in the development of the new method and are ideally placed to explain it, along with all other aspects of design for stability.” With the 2005 AISC Specification, the state-of-the-art in structural steel design was advanced to include three methods for stability design: the direct analysis method the effective length method the first-order analysis method. The primary purpose of this Design Guide is to discuss the application of each of the three methods and introduce the direct analysis method to practicing engineers. Design Guide No. 28 is available as a free PDF download to AISC members. Non-members can purchase the online guide for $60 at www.aisc.org/dg. The printed copy is also available for purchase at this link or by calling 800.644.2400 (product code: AISC 828-13); the cost for the printed copy is $40 for members and $80 for non-members. New Tool Changes Method of Setting Steel I-Beams - back to top Freedom Tools LLC of Mesa, Arizona has introduced the revolutionary E-Z BEAM RELEASE tools, designed to change the way the world sets steel I-beams. Invented and patented by a senior crane operator, this tool allows workers to set I-beams faster and more safely, a big advantage to any steel erection company worldwide. The E-Z BEAMRELEASE tool requires a slight change in the manufacture of the beams, adding two 1”X 2” slots in the top flange equidistant in the I-beam, one on either side of the web at 15”center. The cost of adding the two slots into the design of the beam will be small compared to the savings in time and labor. More information is available on the company website or by email: freedomtoolsllc@gmail.com ARA Predicts North American Rental Growth to Increase - back to top The American Rental Association (ARA) predicts good growth prospects for the North American rental industry through 2017; however, it has slightly reduced its estimate of growth for 2014. The association and its consultant, IHS Global Insight, forecast that growth in North American rental revenues will accelerate over the coming two years, reaching 8.4% next year and 11.3% in 2015 before levelling off in 2016 and 2017. The slowdown in US GDP--now forecast to be around 1.5% this year—impacted revenues slightly. North American revenues are now expected to reach $38 billion this year, a 6.2% increase, although lower than the 7.3% forecast by ARA in May. The good news is that rental growth is outpacing GDP increases by a factor of four. Christine Wehrman, ARA’s executive vice president and CEO, said, “The industry remains vibrant, strong and will benefit even more in the coming years due to non-residential growth, supplemented with residential construction growth and the strong influence of the energy boom in North America. We expect revenue in the U.S. to grow 8.4 percent in 2014 and 11.3 percent in 2015.” ARA is also expecting investment by rental companies to grow in 2014, with expenditures in 2015 expected to exceed $14 billion. September Steel Shipments Up 8.9 Percent from Prior Year - back to top The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has reported that for the month of September 2013, U.S. steel mills shipped 7.9 million net tons, an 8.9-percent increase from the 7.2 million net tons shipped in September 2012, although shipments fell 5.6 percent from the 8.3 million net tons shipped in August, 2013. Shipments year-to-date in 2013 are 71,898,807 net tons, a 2.4 percent decrease compared to shipments of 73,638,127 net tons for nine months in 2012. A comparison of September shipments to the previous month of August shows the following changes: hot dipped galvanized sheets and strip, down 4 percent, hot rolled sheet, down 5 percent and cold rolled sheet, down 5 percent. 2014 ALH Conference Awards - back to top