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Fresh Starts, New Year
As an association with a rich history of connecting erectors and fabricators and general contractors, SEAA represents a collabora tion of old school experience and 21st century ideas. We enter the new year thankful for our members who donate hundreds of volunteer hours to bring safety and education programs, networking events, and business resources to erectors and fabricators around the country.

Here's just a few of the new things we've been working on to make SEAA membership even more valuable for you.  
Be sure to renew your membership by Feb. 1 to ensure inclusion in the Spring-May 2017 Annual Directory. Contact the SEAA office at 336-294-8880 or Renew Online.
SEAA Achieves NCCER Endorsements for Rigger, Signal Person, Crane Operator
The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces that it has completed all requirements for full NCCER endorsement as a provider of Rigger, Signal Person and Mobile Crane Operator Certifications and Credentials. "These certifications complement SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training, as many ironworkers must also be qualified to perform rigging, signaling, or crane operation tasks," said Tim Eldridge, SEAA Craft Training and Assessment Coordinator and President of Education Services Unlimited. More
Leading Safety, Productivity, Management Experts to address SEAA Convention
Tap into Old School Experience and 21st Century Ideas.  SEAA returns to home turf in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for the 45th Annual National Convention & Trade Show, April 27-29, 2017. As an association with a rich history of connecting erectors and fabricators and general contractors, this meeting is like no other. " I owe a lot to SEAA for getting us where we are today," said Bruce Basden, CEO of Basden Steel Corp., Burleson, Texas. "Companies at any level are crazy not to take advantage of this resource."

Tackling the issues essential to steel erection, presentations are relevant to erectors, first and foremost. Registration is now open with early bird discounts flying away by March 26.

" I have not found this kind of comradery and vision in another group. Attending the convention is what brings all of this together in a productive way," said Jeremy Macliver, President of All Things Metal, Phoenix, Ariz. More
Industry Reports
Free Download. How will Trump Presidency Impact Construction?
What will be the impact of President-elect Trump's "Make America Great" again policies - controlling immigration, renegotiating trade agreements, raising defense spending (of the U.S. and its allies), cutting personal and corporate tax rates, increasing energy independence, reducing regulation, and spending up to $1 Trillion to rebuild U.S. infrastructure? 

Ralph Gentile, Principle Economist for Construction Labor Market Analyzer, outlines the current state of the U.S. economy and considers the consequences of new policies on construction. Download the free report.
OSHA Issues Recommended Practices to Promote Workplace Safety, Health
Employers who have implemented safety and health programs have also found that managing for safety results in higher-quality product or output and higher profits. These recommended practices reflect current conditions in the construction industry, including new construction techniques, greater diversity in the  workforce, an aging workforce, and increased reliance on temporary workers. 

The document provides information for both management and worker participation, tips for evaluating and improving your program... More
New Requirements for Tracking Workplace Injuries, Illnesses
A new OSHA rule takes effect Jan. 1, 2017 that requires certain employers to electronically submit injury and illness data. Some data will be posted to the OSHA website. Analysis of this data will enable OSHA to use its enforcement and compliance assistance resources more efficiently.  The new reporting requirements will be phased in over two years. More
Register Fall Safety Stand Down with OSHA

The 4th annual National Fall Prevention Stand-Down will take place May 8-12, 2017. SEAA members who plan to conduct a safety stand down are encouraged to register their events with OSHA. OSHA will issue Certificates of Participation signed by the Secretary of Labor to those companies. Additional resources and information can be found on the Stop Falls Stand Down web page.

 

Successful Falls Survey

In addition, for the second year, SEAA continues to see data on successful falls. The survey is open to members and the general industry. Start the survey.

Erection Topics offered at The Steel Conference
In March, approximately 4,500 engineers, fabricators, detailers and erectors will convene in San Antonio, Texas for the North American Steel Construction Conference. To be held March 22-24, The Steel Conference presents design concepts, construction techniques, and research related to construction of steel buildings or bridges. 

Among the more than 100 technical sessions is a track specifically covering steel erection topics. More
Member News
Welcome New Members
Construction Labor Contractors Knoxville, Tenn. Services
RK Steel Denver, Colo. Erector

Safety Consultant Joins Ironworker Craft Training Network
Cole-Preferred Safety Consulting Inc., Denver, Colo., has been approved by the Steel Erectors Association of America as a SEAA/NCCER Training Unit and Assessment Site for Ironworker, Rigging, and Signal Person credentials. In addition, Cole-Preferred will also offer NCCER training and assessments for Welding, Safety Tech/Orientation, and Project Supervision.  More

Deadlines Approaching for Project of the Year, Training Grant
Winners of the annual Project of the Year competition receive recognition at the annual convention, are featured in Connector magazine, and are announced to the general construction media, representing an invaluable public relations opportunity. Don't miss your chance. Submissions due Feb. 3. More

Become an NCCER accredited Training Unit, TU, and Assessment Site, AAS, and provide your employees industry recognized training and credentials. The SEAA Education Committee will award one Craft Training Grant, not to exceed $4500.00, to help offset startup costs. Applications due March 15. Apply Now

Golf Tournament Supports Training Grant
(Left to Right)  Brent Ellis of Arc3 Gases, Dave Schulz of Schulz Ironworks, and Don Grigg of Trible Solutions/Tekla.  See photo gallery.
Despite bad weather courtesy of Hurricane Matthew, the 17th Annual Education Fundraiser Golf Tournament, held Oct. 7, 2016 in Raleigh, N.C., was successful. "We had to shorten the event to a 9-hole tournament," said Tom Underhill, Executive Director. "To compensate, golfers were given passes to return to play another round at a later date."

"About 65 out of the 100 that signed up, turned out to play a soggy course," said Dave Schulz, Golf Tournament Chairman. "But spirits weren't dampened. We still had a lot of fun-especially executing the ball drop in the pouring rain," he said.  More

JLG Extends Wire Rope Replacement Intervals
JLG Industries Inc., manufacturer of aerial work platforms and telescopic handlers, has extended the length of its mandatory wire rope and sheave replacement interval from 8 to 12 years, provided the total number of machine hours does not exceed 7,000 hours. The extended interval applies to specific JLG boom lift models.

"Although highly variable, typical wire rope replacement jobs can cost fleet owners thousands of dollars per job. By increasing the length of the replacement interval, we are reducing maintenance costs and contributing to a lower total cost of ownership," said Paul Kreutzwiser, JLG Industries global category director for aerial work platforms. 

Upcoming Erector Certification Training
Atema is hosting AISC Erector Certification Training at the Atema Headquarters in Chicago, Ill., on Feb. 21-22. Cost is $395. This 2-day course highlights changes from the old checklist program and the expanded safety and quality requirements of the AISC Erector Certification Program Standard. More
Safety Flash 2016 Review
Protecting Retractable Lifelines from Arcing Damage.  Always inspect fall protection equipment prior to use. Remove from service any equipment that does not meet manufacturer's requirements.  Educate crews on what arcing damage...  More

Assessing Silica Exposure for Ironworkers . Complete a thorough initial assessment of the work place by compiling a list of tasks that have the potential to expose workers to silica. Prioritize the list according to frequency. Consult an industrial hygienist and begin monitoring employees as they conduct those tasks...  More

Time to Comply with the Globally Harmonized System for Safety Data Sheets.  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...More

Lessons Learned from Successful Falls.  Identify potential hazards and mitigate to reduce the chance of fall in the first place.  Analyze floor heights and fall protection systems to determine the best method to prevent contact with a lower level.
When utilizing Beam Safe with low floor heights, retractable systems... More

Preventing Falls in Steel Erection Activities. Make fall prevention and protection an integral part of the whole project planning process. Develop a written, jobsite and hazard-specific plan. Employee orientation training and refresher training related to the specific job site hazards is a critical component of a good plan...More
In the News
InsideOSHAOnline: OSHA Readies Crane Operators Rule For OMB Review, Amid Concerns (Free Trial, Subscription Required)  More
Orlando Business Journal:  Top 10 workplace law developments to expect from Trump presidency More
ForConstructionPros: Fatal Construction Injuries at Highest Level Since 2008 More
Public Works: Study shows that under-investing in U.S. infrastructure negatively impacts GDP More
Reach Managers in the Steel Construction Community
Connector, published quarterly, targets 4500 executives, project managers, engineers, and operations personnel. 
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Contact Chris Harrison at [email protected] or 660-287-7660.
     

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