Specialized Carriers & Rigging

Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association:

Creating Harmony On The Road

The SC&RA specializes in government and regulatory affairs while keeping members abreast of industry best practices and providing an array of educational products.

Written by Kevin Doyle Produced by Stephen Marino

Established in 1947 as part of the American Trucking Associations, the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association (SC&RA) has grown into a global entity with more than 1,400 members in 46 nations. Of that number, all but 300 members are based in the United States and Canada.

Located in Centreville, VA, the association specializes in government and regulatory affairs while keeping members abreast of industry best practices and providing an array of educational products. Association members operate across multiple sectors of the construction industry, such as oil and gas and renewable energy, machinery moving and erecting, industrial maintenance, millwrighting, crane and rigging operations, manufacturing, equipment rental and concrete pumping.

The association holds four events a year. Due to the pandemic, it will hold its Specialized Transportation Symposium later than usual in Birmingham, AL July 13-15) and its Annual Conference in San Antonio, TX (Oct. 25-20).

“I think the No. 1 reason we exist is to create an environment for our members to operate and make sure there are no overarching regulations or legislation that would stop their ability to operate or hinder them in some way. We look at the landscape, monitor it, find the issues in different parts of the country and stop them from snowballing into other states,” explains SC&RA CEO Joel Dandrea.

“We monitor on the federal and state levels. It’s behind the scenes work that a lot of our members don’t see every day but it’s important for their ability to operate. We work closely with other associations as well. It’s the only way companies can get together to solve problems without anti-trust issues,” he adds.

Chris Smith, Vice President of Transportation explained the SC&RA’s unique composition.

“Approximately half of our members are crane and rigging companies and the other half are specialized carriers and some in the middle do both,” says Smith, an industry veteran of 20 years who previously worked for AASHTO.

“The evolution has been rather dramatic in terms of the numerous harmonization initiatives beginning to catch on and grow throughout the country. Much of that has to do with our association’s extraordinary ability to network with state and province government officials,” he explained.

Operating In Harmony

The association’s Uniform Permit Transport 2021 (UPT 2021) harmonization drive launched a couple

of years ago advocates for minimum weight thresholds and automated permitting systems across all 50 states at the local and Federal levels.

The Permit harmonization process allows permit applications to be analyzed and issued within seconds.

“As an industry, we have been stuck in the previous century. It’s not uncommon for permits for routine size loads – 120k, 14 feet wide and high – taking a week or two to be processed and issued. Now 37 states can process, analyze and issue permits for that size in seconds,” Smith says.

“Permit harmonization is huge – we have made it a priority. Hauling something from one town or city or state to another is very costly and

Chris Smith Joel Dandrea

“The evolution has been rather dramatic in terms of “the numerous harmonization initiatives beginning to catch on and grow throughout the country. Much of that has to do with our . . . ability to network with state and province government officials.” - Vice President Chris Smith

challenging. What we are trying to do for our members is to make their ability to do the job across state lines much more efficient,” Dandrea adds.

Smith says the association succeeded in convincing the Federal DOT – which plays no role in the movement of oversized/overweight loads around the country – to take notice.

The association’s App-based mapping system identifies barrier states that have not yet implemented harmonization procedures.

“A great deal of credit for our success now has to do with the work of my predecessors Steven Todd and Doug Ball, and the fact we found great success with mapping. We can make the case from an economic development and safety, and time standpoint on why harmonizing is a win/win for state governments, our industry, and the public,” Smith says.

Indeed, harmonization has led to a marked accuracy rate in permits issued. As more carriers buy more permits to run legally, state revenue increases and the roadways become safer in general.

Smith points out the association’s comprehensive permit manual covers all 50 states as well as Canada’s provinces.

“It allows members to map out trips and is valuable as a timesaver and for efficiency. That’s something we’re really proud of. If the company doesn’t pull the right permit they can get in serious trouble. It’s crucial to knowing what the laws are,” he stresses.

Some Challenges

As with every other segment of the construction industry, SC&RA members struggle with workforce development.

“Far and away, to the point of our being surprised, workforce development and labor shortages were identified as the No. 1 issue barrier for the industry,” Smith says. “The severe driver shortage is very real. In our industry shortages of welders, project managers, planners and even engineers are all an issue. We have implemented a few programs that we are proud of.” “Before COVID, our members would host Lift and Move events bringing in 500-700 local and regional high school and college age students. They rotate through from six to 12 stations where a professional is working with them. At least one-third of the stations are virtual reality and interactive, such as operating a crane or driving an oversized load,” Smith explains. “Videos show who our members are and the great work they do.”

“There is a lot of money to be made in this industry for kids fresh out of school. There is a shortage of drivers on the Specialized Transport side because18-year-olds can’t get a CDL, so we are supporting legislation that would allow 18-year-olds to get their CDL since people in the industry are trending older because you need experience,” Smith says.

SC&RA also pays close watch to penalties and fines levied by states against operators involved in accidents.

Noting that perception is reality, Smith says “a growing number of state officials now believe, anecdotally or otherwise, that bridge hits caused by overweight loads with or without permits on or off route, and a slightly growing number of violations, are causing the state officials to reassess the penalty system and whether they choose to issue a permit or not.” www.constructorsjournal.com

Smith says one state sought to hold back permits for six months from any carrier causing damage but the association intervened before the bill reached the Governor’s desk. Smith tracks bridge hits each day and says with confidence that 98 to 99 percent of such events involve non-association members.

“We are confident and hopeful that folks will show discretion for those that do the job the right way. We are an association that is as committed, if not more so than the state government themselves, in removing bad apple carriers from the road. All accidents can result in fatalities, property damage and otherwise but the potential for catastrophic events from an oversized/ overweight load can be 10 times that of a regular incident,” he states.

“We are at the early stages of rising concerns among state governments about bridge hits and loads running without a permit. We are taking steps to get out in front of this before states are tempted to resolve an issue caused by a very small minority within an industry by creating new policy that impedes and punishes the greater industry that are doing things the right way while doing little or nothing to prevent bad apples from continuing to do business,” he adds.

Spreading The Word

the No. 1 reason people belong is for the networking. The events bring them together with their peers and competitors, allowing them to learn best practices and share experiences,” Dandrea says. “There are many opportunities to serve on committees and in leadership positions. This industry is really about relationships and part of our value is that we bring those opportunities to the members.”

The Specialized Transportation Symposium attracts upwards of 500 attendees each year and is regarded as one of the premier global events of its kind. Leading specialized transportation professionals and government permitting officials to discuss permitting harmonization, safety, regulations, compliance and some of the industry’s most pressing topics.

The Annual Conference offers industry standard best education sessions and premier speakers along with committee meetings, receptions and countless networking opportunities.

“There is lots of opportunity for recognition. Our awards program is big and our Jobs of the Year are spectacular,” Dandrea says.

The President’s Award, Environmental Award, Golden Achievement Award, Zero Accident Award, Crane Operator of the Year Award, Driver of the Year Award and Project Safety Award are

“The No. 1 reason we exist is to create an environment for our members to operate and make sure there are no “overarching regulations or legislation that would stop their ability to operate or hinder them in some way.” - CEO Joel Dandrea

also presented at the awards gala.

Down The Road

In addition to opening their membership to concrete pumpers, like Brundage Bone, the Association is turning its attention to attracting premier general contractors to become members. Among those who have joined is energy and Infrastructure giant Michels Corporation. Heavy and civil specialist Wright Brothers Construction is another. Meanwhile, Dandrea says the association will continue to produce educational materials focused on best practices and is looking at the possibility of providing training programs. Finally, on the Crane & Rigging side, SC&RA will continue to work closely with the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO).

COMPANY INFORMATION

Company Name: Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association Country: United States Industry: Construction Est: 1947

Premier Services: Specializes in government and regulatory affairs while keeping members abreast of industry best practices. CEO: Joel Dandrea