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SEAA Board of Directors Hears Presentation on Crane Operator Certification
Graham Brent, CEO of the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators, attended SEAA's August Board Meeting in Gainseville, Va., to explain what OSHA's 2017 delay for crane operator certification means for steel erection contractors. A new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to address concerns in the original regulation is expected to be issued by this December. SEAA encourages members who use cranes and employ operators to stay apprised of pending changes to the rule. More
Controlling Loads with Taglines
Taglines are used to oppose uncontrolled rotation of a load; alter the rotation of a suspended load; assist in controlling swinging; and avoid the need for workers to control the load with their hands. They are not intended to pull a load out of its natural suspended line; hold a load against wind forces; or help support a load.

The following information is excerpted from an Industrial Training International webinar with J. Keith Anderson and Monty Chisolm of Bechtel, and appeared as an article called "A Tagline is Critical to Controlling a Suspended Load" in Crane & Rigging Hot Line, May 2015.
  • Limit the amplitude of a swinging load with the use of taglines.
  • Avoid placing hands directly on a load.
  • Length of tagline is determined by type of control required.
Safety Flash Needs Your Help
Archive of Safety Flash Topics
As a member benefit, SEAA produces Safety Flash emails with tips for improving ironworking activities. Topics covered in the past include falling objects, rigging gear, horizontal lifelines, over jacking girders, hand safety, and more.  We need members to submit ideas for topics and to assist with writing brief best practices. Please contact Tracy Bennett at tbennett@mightymomedia.com or 816-536-7903 with your suggestions.
Golf Tournament
Education Fundraiser Supports Ironworker Craft Training

 

SEAA's 16th annual education golf fundraiser tournament returns to the Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh, N.C., Oct. 9, 2015. This event is open to all steel erectors, fabricators, detailers, engineers, general contractors, architects, suppliers/manufacturers and services that support the steel erection industry and training and education of their workforce. 

9 amSEAA Ironworker Craft Training & Apprenticeship Program Session
9:30 amRegistration and Practice Balls
10:30 amGolf--Captain's Choice
3:30 pmDinner and Awards Ceremony
5:30 pmBoom Lift Ball Drop
SEAA Supports October Careers in Construction Month
Mark your calendars for the North Carolina Construction Career Day, Oct. 7, 2015, at the Cabarrus Arena and Event Center in Concord, N.C. The event is in partnership with NCCER Build Your Future, and is designed to introduce North Carolina students to opportunities in construction and related careers.

In honor of October "Careers in Construction Month," the NC Career Day event expects to draw more than 800 high school and college students.  SEAA is supporting the event as a Gold Level Sponsor and will share information about the Ironworker Craft Training Program at its Booth. If SEAA members are interested in helping with the SEAA booth, contact Tom Underhill at 336-294-8880. Or for sponsorship or corporate career fair participation, contact Tim Eldridge at t_eldridge@bellsouth.net   or 980-722-9373.

Reminders and Deadlines
AISC Comments Due Sept. 21
2016 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings Draft Available for Second Public Review. The draft Specification and a comment form are available for download on the AISC website at www.aisc.org/publicreview. Submit comments using the form provided online to Cynthia J. Duncan, AISC's director of engineering (duncan@aisc.org) by September 21, 2015 for consideration.

October Board Meeting
The next meeting of the SEAA Board of Directors will be held at Embassy Suites Crabtree - Raleigh, N.C., on Oct. 8, from Noon to 6 PM. Contact admin@seaa.net for more info.

Begin Preparing Project of the Year Submissions
The 2015 Project of the Year contest now includes four categories for projects under $500,000 to those costing over $2.5 million. Participation is a benefit of membership. Winners are recognized in many regional and national publications. Don't wait until the last minute. Materials are due Feb. 1, 2016.

Seeking Exhibitors, Sponsors for 2016 Convention
Exhibiting at the 2016 SEAA Convention and Tradeshow is a chance to interact with the key decision-makers in the structural steel industry. Members come to find out what's new, who has it, and how it can work for them. The tradeshow is an ideal exhibit opportunity for manufacturers and service providers targeting steel fabrication and construction customers.

For information on the April 27-29, 2016 Tradeshow, contact the SEAA Office at admin@seaa.net. or call 336-294-8880. See a list of the 2015 exhibitors and sponsors. More
Industry Reports
Alabama to fund Construction Craft Training
In May, the Alabama Craft Training Act was created to fund training for workers in Alabama. Administered by the Alabama Building Commission and governed by the Alabama Construction Industry Craft Training Program, $1 per every $1000 collected from non-residential construction building permits, will fund the initiative. The legislation is many years in the making.

John Garrison, President of Pell City, Ala.-based Garrison Steel Inc., a SEAA Member Company, will serve on the seven-member board, which will establish guidelines and requirements for receiving funding for individual training programs.

"This is expected to generate between $3 million to $5 million annually for construction craft training by existing community colleges and qualified training organizations," said Garrison. The funds will support grants to education, government, non-profit, community-based, and workforce development groups. More
GoBuild Alabama recently added an Ironworker promotional video to its recruitment website. 
Rate of Construction Unemployment Could Exasperate Worker Shortages
According to a recent announcement from the Associated General Contractors, the number of unemployed workers with construction experience shrank to a 14-year low. This diminishing labor pool may have an impact on the industry's ability to meet growing demand.

SEAA has developed an Ironworker Craft Training and NCCER-accredited Assessments Program to assist steel erectors with recruiting and qualifying new workers. The flexible programs feature SEAA/NCCER certifications for Ironworkers, Riggers, and Signalpersons. With the program, employers can determine current knowledge and skills while identifying gaps so that future training is more specific and efficient.

 "The latest Census Bureau data show the amount of construction spending is rising at the fastest rate since 2006, and there are several indicators-such as the steady increase in hiring of architects and engineers-that suggest demand for construction will remain strong, but contractors may have difficulty finding enough workers to take on all those projects," said Ken Simonson, AGC's Chief Economist.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the expected growth rate for new jobs for Structural Iron and Steel Workers (from 2012 to 2022) is 22 percent, with nearly 13,000 new jobs expected to be created. This is twice the average growth rate for all occupations.

OSHA Releases Tools to Guide Training Activities

More than 100 OSHA regulations contain requirements for training.  OSHA has issued two new documents to help employers avoid citations and keep workers safe. First is a comprehensive guide that organizes all OSHA training requirements into five categories, including a section for the construction industry, with references from 29 CFR 1910 and 1926.

OSHA makes a direct connection between training and accident and illness prevention, saying in part: "Training and education are elements of a strong injury and illness prevention program that can help employers find and fix workplace hazards before workers get hurt."

In addition, OSHA recently created a resource for Development and Delivery of Training to Workers. When used in conjunction with the new Training Requirements guide, this tool will help employers create successful training. The resource identifies characteristics of sound training programs; provides an overview of best practices for training adults; and outlines elements of program design, delivery, and evaluation.
Member News
FiberMax Frame Further Cuts Weight and Reduces Crane Pad Transport Costs
DICA announces that its revolutionary, high-performance FiberMax® crane pads have been improved using a new lighter weight frame design. The new frame reduces the total weight of the pads by more than 10 percent, while maintaining the frame strength and protection needed in construction applications. The new FiberMax® lightweight frame is being produced for three standard 10 in. thick models; FM8x5x10, FM9x6x10 and FM9x7x10.Weight reduction from 170 to 220 pounds per pad was achieved with the new design. More

Lincoln Electric Offers Free Welding and Cutting Curriculum
Lincoln Electric has launched U/LINC™, a complete curriculum of lesson plans, videos, student handouts, assessment tests, presentations and more designed to streamline the teaching experience and free welding school instructors from curriculum development. With more than 1,500 teaching assets and growing, this subscription-based online learning management system covers principles of welding, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, GTAW, thermal and CNC plasma cutting, mathematics in welding, careers, aluminum, stainless, robotics, fabrication, manufacturing and engineering, and pipe. More

Students Participate in Topping Out Ceremony for School
Students from Green Leadership and World Languages Magnet Elementary School visited during a topping out ceremony for their new school building in Raleigh, N.C. Schulz Iron Works Inc., Raleigh, is the steel erector on the Balfour Beatty project. "We had no idea just how important this school would be to students and staff," said Dave Schulz, President.  "At the topping out ceremony, they spoke about the importance of this school to their future. We are grateful to be a part of the team to help make their dreams come true," he said.
In the News

ISHN: 10 Most Common Construction Site Injuries More

Safety Management Group: Getting Workers Involved in Safety Strategies. More

Crane & Rigging Hot Line: Handbook Offers Comprehensive Guide to Crane Support More

Safety+Health: NIOSH Injury Database Now Available to Public More

     

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