FALL EDITION 2020
PROJECT of the
YEAR
16 Profiles in Excellence 22 Unraveling the Mystery
Complex Jobs Careful Sequencing
of Heat Treatment
32 2020 Training Directory THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 1
•
c ntents
FALL EDITION September 2020
FEATURES Management
16
Profiles in Excellence Meet the winners of Safety Excellence and Craft Training Awards. Q&A with erectors leading world class safety and training programs.
22
In the Field Unraveling the Mystery of Heat Treatment Erectors can save cost and time by taking this welding technique in-house. By Colin Brown
32
Special Focus Training Directory Training resources for employers with listings for Aerial Device Operator, Fall Protection, Ironworker, and Welding.
seaa.net ONLINE HIGHLIGHTS Q Suicide Prevention in Construction Q The Boneyard is a Jobsite Too Q National Stand Down to Prevent Falls Sept. 14-18 Q Check out New Job Board for Employers, Job Seekers
Check out our latest social media feeds. See more photos of Project of the Year winning entries.
OPT-IN for our e-Newsletters
web.seaa.net/publications/subscribe.aspx 4 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
26 Cover Story Award winning projects in Class III and IV of SEAA's annual Projects of the Year required careful sequencing. By Tina Cauller On the Cover: A stacked gymnasium presented unique stabilization challenges for Alliance Riggers & Constructors on job in El Paso, Texas. Above: Metrolina Steel Erectors received Honorable Mention for its work on Capital One Hall, a structure with almost no right angles.
DEPARTMENTS 8 Perspective 10 Association News 12 Product Focus 40 Business Operations 42 Topping Out Connector received Superstar Award from Construction Marketing Association. The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is dedicated to advancing the common interests and needs of all engaged in building with steel. The Association’s objectives in achieving this goal include the promotion of safety, education and training programs for steel erector trades, development and promotion of standards and cooperation with others in activities which impact the commercial construction business.
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Membership in Steel Erectors Association of America provides Safety, Education, and Productivity benefits for its members. As a trade association representing Steel Erectors, Fabricators, General Contractors, and Vendors, businesses with complementary interests gain invaluable opportunities to learn from each other.
SEAA is the only national trade association representing the interests of steel erectors, fabricators, and related service providers. Connector reaches both small and large contractors working in union and open labor markets.
Your Industry No other national association represents the unique interests of all steel erectors and fabricators. Members are experts in construction of commercial buildings, arenas, bridges, and highway structures. Members enhoy opportunities to network with other industry professionals at the Anuual Covention, golf tournaments, member events and training classes.
Improve Safety and Productivity Members have access to custom Ironworker Craft Training Curriculum. Studies show 24% of businesses experience lower productivity due to the lack of skilled ironworkers and welders. A better trained workforce delivers lower accidents rates, higher productivity, and increased profits.
Accredited Credentials at Reduced Cost SEAA’s NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) sponsorship means that member companies can provide industry-recognized credentials to your employees with the benefit of SEAA adminstrative support and at a lower cost to members than going direct through NCCER.
Competitive Advantage SEAA’s U.S. Department of Labor-approved Ironworker Apprenticeship Program allows members to create formal training that meets standards recognized by Federal and State governments. Pariticipation allows merit shop contractors to utilize government approved apprenticeship rates on Davis Bacon Wage Projects.
Influence Industry Standards SEAA strategic partnerships with industry groups provide member companies with industry representation with American Institute of Steel Construction, Steel Joist Institute, Steel Deck Institute, National Institute of Steel Detailing, and others.
Steel Erectors Association of America Piedmont Leaf Lofts 401 E. 4th Street, #204 Winston-Salem, NC 27101-4171 336-294-8880 www.seaa.net OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE STAFF Geoff Kress, President David Schulz, Immediate Past President Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, VP, Associate Representative David Deem, VP, Industry Representative Greg Phillips, Treasurer Chris Legnon, Secretary and Media Committee Chairman Tom Underhill, Executive Director PUBLISHING PARTNER Chris Harrison, Publisher connectorsales@seaa.net Phone 660-287-7660 Tracy Bennett, Managing Editor editor@seaa.net Phone 816-536-7903 Eileen Kwiatkowski, Art Director eileen@ekaygraphics.com MEDIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chris Legnon, Fabricators, Cooper Steel Jim Simonson, Fabricators, Steel Service David Deem, Erectors, Deem Structural Services Glen Pisani, Erectors, MAS Building & Bridge Ben Wein, Erectors, SSW Erectors Bryan McClure, Safety, Trivent Safety Consulting Connector™ is published quarterly by the Steel Erectors Association of America, 401 E. 4th Street, #204, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-4171
Join by calling the SEAA office 336-294-8880 or visit www.seaa.net Discover why a SEAA Membership is a good investment for your business.
6 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Copyright 2020 by the Steel Erectors Association of America. No material may be reprinted without permission from the Executive Director. While the information and recommendations contained in this publication have been compiled from sources believed to be reliable, the Steel Erectors Association of America, its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, designers, photographers, and media advisory committee, makes no guarantee as to, and assumes no responsibility for, the correctness, sufficiency or completeness of such information or recommendations and cannot be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based on the information contained in this publication or claims made by advertisers. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the Publisher. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing.
SAFE. PRECISE. ON TIME. gwstuds.com
300 Scarlet Blvd. Oldsmar, FL 34677 Phone: 813.891.9849 Fax: 813.891.4105 Duke Perry, VP of Sales/Operations 404-808-0504 Duke.p@gwstuds.com
PERSPECTIVE
By Tom Underhill
Virtual Meetings Open Doors for Greater Member Participation The number of people working from home doubled this year (49% up from 24% in 2018), according to an article published by Safety+Health magazine in May. The SEAA office and many of our members are no different. With the increase in remote personnel also came a jump in virtual meetings. In one day, you may have used Zoom, Go To Meeting, Microsoft Teams, and more. Anyone using these platforms on a regular basis is likely experiencing a bit of fatigue. “Part of the brain drain from virtual meetings comes from the cognitive loading involved in attempting to listen more intently even as audio quality fluctuates, people navigate their cameras and mute buttons, and the social brain searches for cues that indicate if the meeting is going well,” says David Musgrave, in an article for Safety+Health magazine. Musgrave leads the Brain-Centric Reliabiity practice area at DEKRA that focuses on human performance reliability. Despite the universal groan that comes with the idea of joining yet another virtual meeting, Make the Most of Virtual Meetings: the pandemic has forced many Tips from David Musgrave of us to explore new ways of doing business. SEAA, like our ■ Block out breaks. members has adapted. Not all of those changes are negative, and ■ Block out prep time before and decompress in fact, may impact the way we time after a meeting. do business in the future. We’ve ■ Stay hydrated. learned more productive, and ■ Set the tone with socially friendly dialog. less costly ways of interacting. We’ve learned to be flexible. We ■ Explicitly ask for input from others. may have learned to wear multi■ Set your screen to see who’s talking. ple hats. We have examined our ■ Ask participants to use their web cam. work/life balance. One change SEAA has made is ■ Practice with several platforms to be familiar to schedule Committee Meetings with the features. by virtual conference. The result was that the meeting stayed more on point, and makes them more accessible to the membership at large. Feedback from participants this summer was overwhelmingly positive. We plan to offer this again prior to our Fall Board Meeting. Committee meetings, which are scheduled for the week of September 28. Contact admin@seaa.net for more info. In the past, we have struggled to get members engaged in these meetings because they always took place on Tom Underhill os the Executive Director of the Steel Erectors Association of America. Contact him at tomunderhill@seaa.net 8 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
site in conjunction with our Board Meeting. However, eliminating the need to travel opens this up to greater participation. Whether you serve on the Committee or just want to listen in, this is a chance for you to get to know other members and get involved in activities that impact the industry. Despite the success of taking our Committee Meetings to a virtual platform, the biggest strength of our association remains in-person networking. If you’ve never been to convention, I promise it is not only fun, but the connections made are invaluable. We hope to meet in person for our annual conference and tradeshow in Orlando, Fla., April 28-30, 2021, even while we are exploring appropriate protocols and alternatives in case group meetings are still not viable. However, we are optimistic. A number of related industry groups are moving forward with plans for in person tradeshows and conferences. World of Concrete in January 2021 in Las Vegas and American Rental Association in New Orleans in February 2021 are a few we have been following. To end this on a lighthearted note, just for fun, I googled “biggest virtual meeting fails.” Not wearing pants to your virtual meeting then standing up so your colleagues see your briefs. Spouse walking through the room where you are logged on wearing only skivvies… or less. Kids interrupting live interviews. Heavy breathing on unmuted mics. #poorjennifer on a potty break. The list goes on. Granted it’s a learning curve. Wonder what kind of gossip got stirred up when phone party lines were first a thing? Yes, I’m dating myself, but really, it’s not all that different. Telephone party lines were common beginning in the 1930s and continued into the 1970s. According to the Adirondack Almanack: “With the old party lines, there was the expectation – OK, the ridiculously faint hope that your conversation was private. Eavesdropping was a very common practice.” And according to Wikipedia: “In December 1942, University of Tennessee’s strategy in an American football game versus University of Mississippi was revealed to the opposing coach as a telephone on the Ole Miss team’s bench had been inadvertently wired to the same party line.” A 1935 movie by the title Party Wire is a story of a small town girl victimized by her gossiping neighbors. Before you log into your next virtual meeting, consider yourself forewarned. Meanwhile, we at SEAA hope to meet you soon, even if it’s only in 2D.
•
NEW CONSTRUCTION 100% FLAWLESS RENOVATIONS SATISFACTION
720-638-7389
2020 West Barberry Place Denver, CO 80204 fsw-denver.com | office@fsw-denver.com AWARD WINNING, MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020
| 9
ASSOCIATION NEWS ■ SEAA Names Person of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Recipients
P EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Stand Down to Prevent Falls September 14-18, 2020 osha.gov/ stopfallsstanddown #StandDown4Safety
Steel Day September 25, 2020 aisc.org/steelday
SEAA 3rd Quarter Committee Meetings Week of September 28, 2020 Meetings to be held Online. Open to all members. admin@seaa.net for more info.
SEAA 3rd Quarter Board of Directors Meeting October 8, 2020 Noon to 5 pm Embassy Suites Hilton Raleigh Crabtree Raleigh, N.C.
SEAA 1st Quarter Board of Directors Meeting January 21, 2021 Tampa, Fla.
SEAA Convention & Trade Show April 28-30, 2021 DoubleTree by Hilton at Entrance to Universal Orlando in Orlando, Fla.
eterson Beckner Industries, Inc., Dallas, Texas were recently honored by SEAA. Deem was named SEAA’s 2019 Person of the Year, and Beckner, who recently stepped down from the SEAA Board of Directors in anticipation of retirement, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award. “David Deem is a strong advocate for the advancement of industry quality and safety standards. In addition to work with our organization, he also actively works to educate personnel through AISC and NISD programs,” said Tom Underhill, Executive Director. Deem assisted in writing Detailing Steel for Value and Safety and Detailing Guide for the Enhancement of Erection Safety. He has been David Deem (left) of Deem Structural an active member of SEAA Services receives the Person of the Year since 1995, serving on the award from SEAA President Geoff Kress. Board of Directors at various times. He is currently the Vice President, Industry representative. Bob Beckner, Lifetime Achievement award recipient, and past president of SEAA, has served on the SEAA Board of Directors for 27 years. Additionally, he is a past recipient of the William Davis SerBob Beckner (right) of Peterson-Beckner Industries vice Award. “Bob Beckner is a selfless man who has given countless receives Lifetime Achievement award from SEAA hours to our industry and organization,” said Josh Cilley, President President Geoff Kress. of American Steel & Precast Erectors.
■ SEAA Member Company Establishes Ironworker Apprenticeship Trivent Safety Consulting, Westminster, Colo., a previously approved SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training Unit and Assessment Site, is now a registered ironworker apprenticeship program. The company utilized the SEAA Ironworker Apprenticeship program template, which meets the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration guidelines for apprenticeship standards. As the group administrator for the structural steel ironworker apprenticeship, other erectors can utilize this resource. Two other SEAA members—High Representatives of Trivent Safety Consulting, Flawless Steel Welding, and High Plains Steel Services LLC, Windsor, Colo., Plains Steel Services with Patrina Walker, (second from left) US DOL/ETA Office of and Flawless Steel Welding LLC, Denver— Apprenticeship Training Representative. currently have ironworkers enrolled in the program. “SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training and Apprenticeship ensures that ironworkers have the skills and knowledge necessary to be safe on the jobsite, competitive in the workplace, and satisfied in their careers,” said Bryan McClure, Owner of Trivent Safety Consulting.
10 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
■ Job Board Launched for Steel
Erection Community
To assist the steel erection community and SEAA members with recruiting skilled workers, SEAA has launched a new Job Board for Employers and Job Seekers. Users will reach SEAA’s network of steel erection contractors plus have additional access to national job search engine tools. Job Board postings are free for SEAA members and open to non-members for a fee. Listings can also be upgraded to Featured Listings. Users can choose from 30, 60, or 90-day listings, and subscribe to receive alerts about new listings. Explore current listings. https:// seaa.mcjobboard.net/jobs.
■ Training Grant Awarded to
Ironworker Skills Institute
•
Grady McCombs, instructor, Patty Daigle, administrator, and Rick Clay, instructor, of the Ironworker Skills Institute, received the 2020 Training Grant from SEAA.
THERE’S ONLY ONE... HMD904 MAGNETIC DRILL
When it comes to mag drills, there are many choices but there is only one HMD904. The drill that has produced more holes and helped build & fabricate more than any other. The drill from which all others are judged. And now... It just keeps getting better. • NEW Hidden Motor Cord • NEW Ergonomic Design • Safer Product • Less Maintenance • 1-1/2" 1-1/2" Dia. x 2" 2" Depth • Pilot Light • 100% Hougen Reliability
Now Includes Two Year Warranty!
Patent Pending
800-426-7818 SERVICE • INTEGRITY • RELIABILITY HOUGEN.COM Hou-749-SEAA-third.indd 1
NEW & IMPROVED
The Ironworker Skills Institute, Pell City, Ala., received this year’s SEAA Craft Training Grant, which is designated for member companies who are newly implementing SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training and Assessment programs. The grant covers initial setup, training for administrators, instructors, and coordinators, and custom training materials for Ironworker Levels 1-3, or similar curriculum. Ironworker Skills Institute, which is now in its fifth year of operation, was established by John Garrison of Garrison Steel. The institute was created for ironworkers to get training on rigging, welding, and the use of safety equipment and tools. The organization will offer new adult education classes in January 2021.
4/23/20 1:11 PM
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 11
PRODUCT FOCUS
Magni Rotating Telehandlers
■ Rotating Telehandlers Prove More Versatile than Cranes Carver Construction lifted 11,000-pound steel beams to a height of 74 feet using a Magni RTH 8.25 SH rotating telehandler. The project is a 180,000 sq. ft. Nucor pre-engineered steel structure in Albany, N.Y. According to Joseph Navarro, General Manager of Construction for Carver, Magni Rotating Telehandlers provided a better solution than the cranes they would typically have used. “The Magnis are very versatile. We’ve been able to increase our efficiency because of it,” he said. This was due in part to the company’s ability to use a single machine for multiple tasks. At the time of the interview, Navarro stated that they were a week and a half ahead of schedule because they chose to use the telescopic handlers instead of a crane.
■ Magnetic Drill Features Hidden Motor Cord Hougen Manufacturing Inc., Swartz Creek, Mich., has released an improved HMD904 portable magnetic drill. New features include a hidden motor cord design that incorporates the cord into the motor casing and housing. Reduced overall height allow the drill to fit into tighter areas. In addition, the drill now includes a two-stage magnet which increases magnetic holding power to save energy and increase magnet life.
■ National Fleet Products Makes Hygiene
Compliance Mobile
HMD904 Portable Magnetic Drill
National Fleet Products, Buffalo, Minn., now includes portable and vehicle-mounted hand-washing stations to their products to allow water and hand sanitizer to be dispensed even in remote locations. Water-dispensing tanks are available in 6.5-gallon and 10-gallon sizes and are equipped with spring-toggle water spigots that automatically stop water flow when no longer depressed to eliminate recontamination.
12 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
National Fleet Hand-Washing Station
■ Miller Electric Releases Remote Solutions Miller Electric, Appleton, Wis., has released two new remote solutions for Miller engine drives. Remote Start/Stop on welders and generators and the Remote Output Panel Kit. The Remote Star/Stop for Bobcat 260 and 225 welder/generators, allows operators to easily turn the machine on and off remotely, which will extend time between maintenance. The Remote Output Panel Kit, compatible with Bobcat, Trailblazer® and Big Blue® welders and generators, provides access to the auxiliary power and weld output panels at the point of use.
■ New Connector Clips for Cold Formed Steel Simpson Strong Tie Pleasanton, Calif., now offers two longer length L-shaped RCA rigid connector angle utility clips in 9-inch and 11-inch, extending the product line of 3-inch, 5-inch, and 7-inch clips. RCA utility clips can be used for cold-formed steel applications, jamb stud reinforcement at track, u-channel bridging, stud-blocking, bypass curtain-wall framing, and joist connections. RCA Rigid Connector Angle Utility Clips
Remote Star/Stop for Bobcat 260 and 225 Welder/Generators
■ Crosby and Versatile Introduce Smart
Crane Hook
Versatile’s CraneView™ System The Crosby Group has partnered with Versatile, a construction technology company based in Los Altos, Calif., to create a crane hook that collects and analyzes data on the flow and handling of materials, production rates, and crane utilization. Versatile’s CraneView™ system is powered by an IoT sensor device that is mounted to the hook. Through autonomous capabilities of measuring thousands of data points, CraneView fuels real-time insights to power smart decisions that impact cycle time, overtime, and crane demobilization, and allows new standards to be set for current and future projects.
■ JLG Introduces Remote Diagnostics
Excalibur® 7018 XMR™
■ Low-hydrogen Stick Electrode from
Lincoln Electric
Lincoln Electric, Cleveland, Ohio, has announces the Excalibur® 7018 XMR™ low-hydrogen stick electrode, that now meets American Welding Society H4R moisture requirements. The Excalibur® 7018 XMR™ new rod coating maintains integrity when bent for welding in tight spaces. 14 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Remote Analyzer Reader (RAR) JLG Industries, Inc., Hagerstown, Md., has released its Remote Analyzer Reader (RAR) for JLG boom lift, scissor lift and telehandler models equipped with a CAN device. This allows service departments to remotely assess a machine’s set-up, diagnose qualitative operational issues, check the on/off status of connected technologies, and review its last 25 fault codes.
•
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 15
MANAGEMENT
Profiles in Excellence Q&A with erectors leading world class safety and training programs
I
n 2020, as part of a new awards program, SEAA recognized steel erection contractors that are excelling at providing safe work places and superb ironworker craft training programs. Connector interviewed the companies that achieved World Class status, for insight into the safety culture at these companies. See a list of all the winners and additional photos at seaa.net/news.
Safety Award Winners Derr & Gruenewald Construction, LLC, Brighton, Colo. What is something that is unique to your company as it relates to training and safety? We work hard to identify every opportunity to unitize elements into larger systems that can be assembled off-site and installed by fewer people in less time, building modules on the ground whenever possible.
(Left to Right) Mike Waters, Johnathan Gruenewald, CD Gruenewald, Bryan McClure,SEAA Safety Committee Chairman Q & A with Carl Gruenewald, Vice President How would you describe the safety culture at your company?
What is a best practice you’d like to share? Having good continuity from apprenticeship to upper management and a focus on treating people right have been the biggest factors behind our success. If a minor injury occurs, instead of looking at how to minimize the cost impact, our actions are aimed at how to get them right and back to work. We run a clean, organized job, with quality tools to do the work safely and efficiently. It’s our commitment to keeping every member of our team safe that gives us the ability to recruit the best people and retain them.
We have a parallel structure of accountability from top to bottom, so profit is never put ahead of safety. Every individual takes personal responsibility for safety and is encouraged to continuously work to identify any possible issues. There is trust and respect throughout the organization and a worker at any level can raise safety concerns. In your experience, what has contributed to your good safety record? For one thing, we are selective about which projects we take on. For any of our jobs, pre-construction planning begins at the bidding stage. We use an integrated approach to assessing hazards, planning sequencing, determining critical lifts, verifying anchor bolt placement, everything. We are constantly looking at how to make it lighter, how to make it simpler, how to make it safer. Often, our safety standards are more stringent than those of any other entity involved. What safety accomplishment are you most proud of? Our commitment to safety has paid off in measurable results. We have been able to achieve a .71 EMR, and that is a statistic that gives me great pride. As a union contractor, we’ve seen a marked shift in the culture when it comes to fall protection, which has significantly impacted our numbers. 16 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
(Left to Right) Geoff Kress, SEAA President, Craig Peterson, Bob Beckner, and James Byrum. Q & A with Bob Beckner, Vice President How would you describe the safety culture at your company? Our people work hard, both in the office and in the field, and at all levels from leadership to new hires, we work together as a team. We share the goal of keeping ourselves and each other safe, and we
LPR Construction Company, Loveland, Colo. Q & A with Jeffrey Pigue, Safety Director How would you describe the safety culture at your company? From our CEO and executive management team, all the way to the foremen and craft employees, we integrate safety into every area of the organization. Safety can’t be clouded by other issues like profitability or productivity. Those are important to any business, but success is only possible when your commitment to people is central to your culture. What is an example of something you feel you do well that contributes to a good safety record? Without question, pre-planning is the key to our successful safety record. At the earliest stages of a project, our engineering team comes up with schedules and connection designs to ensure safety throughout the job, and to identify and proactively mitigate hazards. What is an accomplishment you are proud of as it relates to safety? After our recent VPP OSHA audit, we were honored to be recognized for our safety record, and in the Denver Post survey of workplaces, employees identified safety as a key factor in LPR’s consistently high rating. Our procedures, policies, and research are always focused on improving measurable results, like making our EMR and TRIR continue their downward trajectory. As safety director, I’m immensely proud of the programs and systems we have in place to make that happen. What is something that is unique to your company as it relates to training and safety? Developing our employees, ensuring they are engaged, and focusing on developing leaders across the organization is fundamental to
(Left to Right) Peter Radice and Jeff Pigue the exceptional safety culture at LPR. Our highly skilled workforce is our most important asset. We are continually looking at ways to engage and retain our employee, to make sure each person feels valued and enjoys their work. It’s important to us that our people see opportunities to move up, like our NCCER apprenticeship program, and have a voice in the workplace. What is a best practice you’d like to share with other SEAA members? Before a job even gets to the superintendents to build, our team is looking at crane calculations and placement, flow, documentation, and getting the right personnel in place for every step of the project. Pre-planning to identify and mitigate hazards really provides a critical underpinning for safety.
Peterson Beckner Industries, Inc., Houston, Texas
know every pair of eyes and every voice is important if we are to achieve that goal. Each worker, no matter what their role, is empowered to pull the brake and stop a work activity if they see an issue of safety that needs to be addressed and rectify the issue immediately.
of every day, on every job. It’s a measurable result that gives us confidence that our approach is working. We set a high bar for our team, and together, we achieved it.
What is an example of something you feel you do well that contributes to a good safety record? We make sure that every member of our workforce has the equipment and training necessary to do the job safely. We have a mentoring program for new hires and transfers so that every employee has a one-on-one resource for becoming familiar with important aspects of the project.
What is something that is unique to your company as it relates to training and safety? PBI has built a team culture that emphasizes safety first and appropriately puts productivity second. We know that a secure business future is best ensured by valuing our personnel and listening to our workers. We have implemented a program called “Line of Fire” cards that allows any employee to recognize the outstanding performance of another or bring less than desirable behavior to our attention.
What is an accomplishment you are proud of as it relates to safety? Recording zero reportable injuries for an entire year is a huge accomplishment and one that gives us great pride, because it means that we met our goal of every worker going home safely at the end
What is a best practice you’d like to share? Train, train, train. We avoid stagnation and complacency by staying in front of people and keeping them engaged. We take every opportunity to communicate and develop skills through in-person sessions, online activities, and video presentations. Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 17
Craft Training Award Winners Empire Steel, Inc., Humble, Texas
can provide mentorship. We develop our workforce from within whenever possible, so there is ample opportunity for young workers to move up when the time is right.
(Left to Right) Geoff Kress, SEAA President, and Drew Heron, Mike Gerica, and Todd Gunnels Q & A with Drew Heron, Project Manager What has been your experience with apprenticeship sponsored by Adaptive Construction Solutions? ACS did a tremendous job of getting us the numbers of qualified candidates that we needed. It was a great opportunity for apprentices to see the nature of the work and experience our company culture. Becoming an ironworker is not for everybody, but the ones who made the decision to stay were well-prepared for a promising future with our company. How do you work with employees to identify skills and identify a career path through your company? The apprentice training program supports trainees. We match each employee with a designated, experienced crew member who
Tell me about your decision to hire youth transitioning out of the foster care system. Working with youth who age out of the foster system at age 18 has been an amazing experience. The Department of Labor offers attractive tax advantages for employers, and we felt it would be foolish not to participate. But the real payoff has come in the form of long-lasting relationships with loyal, motivated employees who are eager to learn and have a path to self-sufficiency. What is something in your program that has had a tangible result in improved safety or productivity? I think the infusion of ‘new blood’ has really been beneficial to our company. A green workforce doesn’t have to unlearn bad habits. They learn to do things the right way and not take shortcuts. We’ve successfully replaced the ‘this is the way we’ve always done it’ mentality with a fresh focus on making the best possible first impression on our clients and sending workers home safe at the end of every shift. As a result, we’ve been able to shift our company culture to measurably reduce on-the-job injuries and lower our modifiers.
High Plains Steel Services, LLC , Windsor, Colo.
Q & A with Kris McLean, President What is something you are proud of related to safety or productivity? Since making training and safety a focus, we have not had a single lost time incident in the erection division for more than three years. Our program includes positional safety training requirements, as well as NCCER Apprenticeship training, and has been instrumental in helping us develop a safe, highly trained workforce. Making sure every employee is equipped and trained to work safely is one of the most critical parts of sustaining productivity. We recognize that safety and productivity go hand in hand. (Left to Right) Kris McLean, Mike Hurst and Jay McLean Are there opportunities for cross training between your three divisions—fabrication, industrial coatings, and steel erection? High Plains focuses on hiring for character and will provide paid training opportunities for any employee who shows the kind of character that warrants the investment. Our employees have opportunities for cross training and mobility between divisions and we encourage them to find the best fit so they can maximize their potential within the company. Keeping all of our workers engaged and happy with their role in the company is a high priority. Our employees are our most valuable investment. 18 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
How important is your training program in recruiting workers? As a result of our Department of Labor-certified and nationally recognized NCCER Apprenticeship Program for Industrial Ironworkers, coupled with our best-in-industry benefits programs, we are able to offer young workers an exceptional opportunity to earn great money while learning a trade, without being saddled with the debt that often comes with college. Candidates who complete our training program will have more than just a job, they will be highly qualified professionals who are well-prepared for a financially rewarding, lifelong career.
Twenty One Years in Business
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 19
S&R Enterprises, LLC, Harrisburg, Pa.
Q & A with Mark Yerke, Executive Vice President How integral is the apprenticeship program sponsored by Adaptive Construction Solutions to recruiting, maintaining, and elevating the skills of your ironworkers? We’re very supportive of our returning veterans and thrilled that ACS can help us set them up for a successful reintroduction into the workforce. We give them the information about the scope, type, location, and duration of the job. They source people who are ideal fits for that specific project. It was once a time-intensive task to try to find and recruit workers in the right place with the right skills, now ACS does that legwork. As a result, we have access to highly skilled people when and where we need them and are proud to help our vets at the same time. What has been your experience with participating in the Veteran Outreach programs? Returning veterans die by suicide at a tragic rate – 22 per day, one every 65 minutes. They deserve our help. At S&R, we put vets first and they are a great fit for our company. Their experience with structure and chain of command is well-suited to the jobsite. They know how to meet expectations, to complete a task with a deadline, and they are motivated to grow and rise through the ranks. We’re honored to continue working with outreach programs to provide opportunities for our veterans.
20 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
(Left to Right) Daniel Ulmer,Katery Gomez, Charlie Franquet, and representing SEAA, Jason Kulvinskas, GW Deck. How is it beneficial to provide different types of training, such as classroom, hands-on, on-the-job, and apprenticeship? We are strong believers in the blended model of training. Tests and assessments allow us to be sure they truly learned and understand what was presented in the classroom setting, on topics from rigging and welding to material handling and metal decking installation. The blended model is better for young workers, too, because they have an opportunity to develop their knowledge while getting experience and can become part of a highly qualified professional workforce.
•
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 21
IN THE FIELD
By Colin Brown
Unraveling the Mystery of Heat Treatment Erectors can save cost and time by taking this welding technique in-house
With the right equipment and training, most contractors can perform their own heat-treatment operations.
L
arge steel erection projects commonly require heat treatment for welding because of the thick materials used in structural steel construction. Proper implementation is critical; so often this work is outsourced. The perceived level of expertise to perform this work can make the prospect of using in-house personnel daunting. However, most welding contractors are actually fully capable of performing on-site heat treatment operations. The two primary methods for heat treating metal are preheating and postweld heat treatment (PWHT). Preheating is the process Colin Brown is Senior Marketing Manager for RedD-Arc Welderentals. Red-D-Arc’s customers can rent, lease or purchase equipment, and services also include end-to-end support, onsite training, troubleshooting and maintenance. For more information, visit reddarc.com.
of heating the base metal to a specific temperature prior to welding to minimize the temperature difference between the welding arc and the base metal. This process helps to reduce internal stresses that occur as substantial temperature differences between the weld and the base metal normalize, which can cause cracking and distortion. Slowing the cooling rate also allows hydrogen to escape from the weld, which minimizes the potential for cracking. Preheat requirements for steel are specified by applicable welding codes and are dependent on such factors as the chemical composition of the steel, section thickness, welding process employed, weld heat input, diffusible hydrogen, etc. Postweld heat treatment operations are usually performed to improve mechanical properties by minimizing hardness, increasing ductility and relieving weld-induced stresses.
22 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Typically, PWHT in structural applications is required when the steel will be exposed to environmental conditions like salt water or seismic activity.
A more efficient option Outside contractors are often brought in to perform heat treatment operations due to the perceived complexity of the task, which can increase costs and potentially add delays to a project. Meanwhile, welders are often paid for unproductive time waiting for joints to be heated. “There are numerous examples of heat treatment costs reaching ten times the original quoted price, as well as project delays, when working with heat treatment service providers,” says Lori Kuiper, Product Manager at Red-D-Arc Welderentals. While it’s true that some applications may be too complex for beginners to perform,
most are straightforward and easy to complete. Once a contractor overcomes the initial uncertainty of a new process, they find out how simple heat treating is compared to welding. With the proper equipment and assistance from an experienced technician, welders and other skilled workers can be trained to perform heat treatment operations effectively. This gives contractors the option for taking this process in house, thereby reducing costs associated with outsourcing.
Alternative methods
Red-D-Arc Induction Heating Specialist, Frank Carbone, assists a customer with preheating a small column that requires an end plate to be welded to it. Both the column and the end plate needed to be heated to 250°F. The challenge was that the end plate was much thicker and heavier than the column. The solution was to concentrate more induction coils on the plate than the column.
Induction heating is used in the erection of an arched beam. Tandem coils were arranged on either side of the weld joint. Once the beam was up to temperature, the insulation in the center was cut open to expose the weld area. The welders then welded the joint.
Open-flame heating (i.e. torches) is a simple method for heat treatment, but many companies have moved away from this method due to safety concerns and the large amounts of propane that must be stored. In addition, open-flame methods result in inconsistent heating, and temperatures can only be roughly verified, thereby reducing quality. It is also less efficient than more modern preheat and postweld heat treatment processes (such as induction and resistance heating) since less energy is consumed with these processes. The two leading alternatives to the open-flame method are induction heating and resistance heating. Induction heating uses non-contact heating to induce heat electromagnetically, which provides consistent heat throughout the base material. With this method, the weldment basically becomes its own heating element. It offers fast time-to-temperature, includes accurate temperature measurements and records, and is a very safe option for preheats, especially compared to the open-flame method. Induction heating, however, is limited to magnetic materials, which can restrict its use. Resistance heating works by electrically heating a wire that passes through flexible interlocking ceramic heating-elements (typically called beads or pads). These pads are positioned in contact with the base material, which allows the heat to transfer uniformly into the part. The ceramic pads are very durable and their serviceable life can be extended with proper treatment and handling. Resistance heating can achieve temperatures of 2000°F with standard heating elements and temperatures of 3000°F with high-temperature elements. Resistance heating is not limited
24 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
to magnetic materials, which makes it the most versatile option for a wide range of heat treatment applications.
The right equipment Red-D-Arc, an international welding equipment rental company, has decades of experience working with various heat treatment technologies as well as a history of collaborating with clients. The company has a full heating portfolio to meet any application, and their experts can tailor the best solution for any given application. Customers looking for a highly portable, field-construction induction heating system may want to consider the Miller ArcReach Induction Heater. Its small footprint and built-in data recorder make it ideal for the field. With an 8 kW output, it can preheat up to 600°F depending on material size and thickness. The Miller ProHeat 35 is the industry standard for larger induction heating applications. It’s also the workhorse for preheating large columns and bridge girders. This system features the ability to accurately monitor, control and record temperatures. With a 35 kW heating capacity and the flexibility of liquid-cooled cables, it can easily be used by contractors to preheat large assemblies. New to Red-D-Arc’s product offering is Stork Cooperheat resistance heating equipment. Cooperheat, a pioneer in the heat treating industry, offers time tested products with up-to-date technology. Red-D-Arc and Stork recently assisted a customer who was welding offshore girders. PWHT was required in order to refine the grain structure of the girders and minimize corrosion from salt water. Stork was able to work with the customer to engineer the application and to develop a PWHT procedure that met the requirements of the applicable codes. Red-D-Arc then trained the customer’s personnel to perform the stress relieving operations. Weld heat treatment is often thought of as a somewhat complex, specialized operation that requires the expertise of an external contractor. In reality, many preheat and postweld heat treatment jobs can be successfully performed by in-house personnel. On large steel construction projects, this can result in significant time and cost savings for owners and operators.
•
Redi. Set. Go.
REDICOR SIMPLIFIES AND ACCELERATES THE CONSTRUCTION OF REINFORCED CONCRETE CORES. Conventional methods of constructing reinforced concrete shear cores can be a challenge. Unpredictable onsite construction timelines frequently delay framing, and unacceptable concrete tolerances or improperly located steel embed plates often bring production schedules to a halt. Now there’s a better way. RediCor is a pre-fabricated, ready-to-set modular steel form system that simplifies and accelerates the construction of reinforced concrete stair and elevator cores. Our steel modules are factory builtto-spec with structurally true, load-bearing vertical and horizontal structural connections pre-engineered to ensure that framing fits perfectly – saving time, energy and money. VISIT US AT REDICOR.COM FOR THE REDICOR STORY. www.redicor.com
TM
COVER STORY
By Tina Cauller
Careful Sequencing Bel Air High School, El Paso, Texas Class III ($1 million to $2.5 million) Erector: Alliance Riggers & Constructors Fabricator: Basden Steel Corp. Detailer: Steelweb, Inc. Structural Engineer: Stubbs Engineering, Inc. Construction Manager: Banes General Contractors, Inc. Contract Value: $1.9 million Tons of Steel: 1,400
Erectors team up with other specialists to coordinate successful projects
The complex was framed with exposed long span trusses to support both the upper level and roof.
Kinder Building at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Texas Class IV (Over $2.5 million) Erector: Peterson Beckner Industries Fabricator: Myrex Industries Detailer: Myrex Industries Structural Engineer: Cardno Haynes Whaley and Guy Nordenson & Associates Construction Manager: McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. Contract Value: $3.2 million Tons of Steel: 1,800
Capital One Hall, Tysons Corner, Va. Class IV Honorable Mention Erector: Metrolina Steel Erectors, Inc. Fabricator: SteelfFab, Inc. Detailer: Prodraft, Inc. Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti Construction Manager: WhitingTurner Contracting Co. Contract Value: $6.5 million Tons of Steel: 3,030
T
hree steel projects in Classes III and IV were honored in SEAA's Projects of the Year competition in April 2020. All three involved complex geometries and large members. In Texas, Alliance Riggers & Constructors and Peterson Beckner Industries undertook athletic and art facilities, while Metrolina Steel Erectors (Honorable Mention) cashed in on a large event space.
■ Stacked Assets The Ysleta Independent School District In El Paso, Texas needed a modern athletics complex with multiple uses to include basketball, volleyball, dance, wrestling, gymnastics, cardio, and strength training. The existing gym would be replaced with a three-level complex on the same location. The 98,000 sq. ft. complex utilized glass, architecturally exposed structural steel, and minimal concrete. The lower level houses the main competition court with bleachers, locker rooms, staff offices, and storage. The ground level wraps the lower-level gymnasium with viewing and walking areas. The upper level supports additional practice courts, track, dance, gymnastics, and wrestling areas. Phillip Cordova of Alliance Riggers & Constructors noted, “I have traveled the world and Tina Cauller is a graphic designer and freelance writer with 30 years of experience reporting for trade and technical publications in building construction and real estate markets. She can be reached at tinacauller@ gmail.com
26 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
I have never seen a facility like this one. The stacked design presented unique challenges for stabilization during construction. We worked with the engineer and the fabricator on site to phase the project and keep everything within proper tolerances.” The facility was surrounded by existing buildings on three sides, a four-lane highway to the east, an open and occupied school campus, and limited site access from one residential street. Additional challenges included planning erection and rigging of large trusses, floor decking that exceeded 400 lbs. per sheet, and creating temporary bracing of the structure during erection.
Steel as a design element The complex was framed with exposed long span trusses to support the upper level and roof. The lateral system used a combination of cast-in-place shear walls and brace frames, limited to the perimeter of the building to meet the architect’s goal of an open space concept. The design stacked two long span trusses on top of one another with 40 ft. elevation difference.
The bolted field connections for the roof trusses totaled 404 A490 TC bolts.
The second-floor framing trusses are 9 ft. 6 in. deep, constructed of W14 x 311 wide flange chords. To help with vibration, this floor system has 7" of concrete over a 3" metal deck. The roof trusses are 177 ft. x 8 ft.and weigh 120,000 pounds each.
Coordinated sequencing Basden Steel Corporation directed the fabrication and shipment of trusses, structural, and miscellaneous steel. The second-level trusses span 127 ft. and have one mechanical splice connection in the approximate center designed to be connected in the field with 309 A490 TC bolts. The roof trusses head to mechanically spliced connections, splitting the truss into three sections. Bolted field connections for the roof trusses total 404 A490 TC bolts. Individual truss sections have a maximum weight of 27 tons. To accommodate the heavy trusses, Basden Steel developed a custom hydraulic jacking system to maneuver each truss through the fabricator’s shop. Each truss was assembled prior to shipping to verify fit up and required camber. Transporting the trusses required 32 permitted, escorted loads from Houston to the project location in El Paso. Alliance coordinated with Basden Steel and Stubbs Engineering to plan the erection and fabrication sequencing into 10 sequences, including 13 long span trusses. One long span T7 truss on the western side of the building supported the ends of five roof trusses, which were later guyed off for bracing during erection. Alliance started at the north end working south between the highway and existing buildings, then constructed the lower mechanical
roof deck, which allowed for complete joint penetrations at the 80 ft. columns on the north end of the arena.
Rigging, bracing and crane lifts Prior to hoisting the trusses, Alliance requested designs for more than 10 specific rigging and bracing configurations. Rigging included lifting lugs and bottom chord truss extensions to support the trusses during erection. The bracing designs were supported by Alliance who provided 35,000-lb. portable concrete dead-men and Meadow Burke Super 620 adjustable 62 ft. braces, each with a 16 kips capacity and weighing 950 lbs. The Super 620 braces, cables, and turnbuckles were used to plumb, adjust, and stabilize the structure during erection. A1A Software’s 3D Lift Plan was utilized to plan crane placement and lifts. Each truss was assembled in a small area near the site, next to an occupied school building. A Liebherr LR 835 crane (100T max capacity) was used to receive beams, columns, decking, and miscellaneous steel. Truss sections were received and assembled with a Liebherr LR 1200 crane (250T max capacity). The trusses were connected and assembled in the vertical position on blocking, then temporarily braced until being rigged and hoisted into place. Columns were made plumb, and then bracing and supplementary beams were installed. The elevated floors were poured over the trusses to complete the lateral diaphragm system and add stability to the structure. Alliance erected most of the main structure from 20 ft. below grade. The company used a Liebherr LR1300 crane (330 ton) for lifting the initial trusses and Tadano ATF100
The facility was surrounded by existing buildings on three sides, an operating four-lane highway to the east, an open and occupied school campus with student access on all four sides of the project, and limited site access from one residential street.
A1A Software’s 3D Lift Plan was utilized to plan crane placement and lifts.
G-4, ATF 70 G-4, TT300XL, Link Belt HTC 830, Grove TM9120, and TMS-300 LP cranes to erect columns, beams, and decking. After the completion of the first portion of the building, Alliance disassembled the LR 1300 through a narrow 20 ft. opening at the basement level. The last quarter of the structure was erected using tandem lifts with the Liebherr 1300 crane and Liebherr LTM 1500 - 8.1 crane (600 ton) in the Y-guying heavy lifting configuration, at 135 ft. radius. The crane was set up behind mats stacked horizontally 15 ft. high to temporarily support the area around the LTM 1500 - 8.1. This temporary retaining wall was needed to maintain project schedule. Ultimately, the fast track project was completed with zero injuries or incidents. Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 27
■ Single Erection Crew follows Two Concrete Crews The Nancy and Rich Kinder Building at The Museum of Fine Arts Houston offers more than 100,000 sq. ft. of new exhibition space dedicated to art produced after 1900. The building’s floor framing consists of two levels of geometrically complicated heavy wide flange composite structure. Formidable challenges on this project included: • Erection phasing for composite floor level framing and in-depth sequencing of the complex roof framing, • Development of erection procedures to ensure field fit-up and stability of the structure while under construction, • Team coordination to implement connection designs and considerations for successful installation of the geometrically complex steel framing and the contoured roof decking. The building is comprised of a cast-inplace concrete shell with composite steel floor framing and a complex pipe-truss roof. The shell is divided into six gallery segments that surround a central atrium area. The interior CIP concrete walls extend up from grade to provide support to the heavy Level 2 composite steel floor framing members which, in turn, provide support to the cantilevered exterior concrete walls that support the Level 3 steel framing and roof structure.
A 70 ft. tall shoring tower provides temporary support for the atrium roof framing, where three sloped and swept trusses converge into a central node.
The Level 2 girders at the southeastern side of the atrium cantilever up to 27 ft. out from their concrete supports and provide support to a line of braced-frame columns that extend upward to support Level 3 framing as well as the roof framing spanning across the atrium. Temporary shoring and erection sequencing was engineered to address the significant deflections resulting from third level and roof loads transmitting into the cantilevered members.
The roof framing consisted of a network of 30 sloped, swept, and tapered trusses that interweave to create a web of concave roof panels, referred to as ‘leafs.’ The infill framing between the trusses used beams built up from plate to form vertically bowed members that follow the contours of the concave roof leafs. The infill framing is part of a twoway moment frame that was self-supporting because of complete moment connections that act as a web.
Open minds for project planning
Members of the PBI - MFAH team gather after the annual OSHA National Safety Stand Down to Prevent Falls meeting. Careful task planning and positive morale resulted in a Zero-Recordable project safety record.
28 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
“In the pre-construction phase, we spent hours collaborating with the design team, contractor, and steel fabricator to identify and address challenges,” said James Byrum, Project Manager. “All parties kept an open mind to new ideas and modifications so we could refine and perfect the original plan.” The construction of the CIP concrete structure required two separate forming and placement crews to keep pace ahead of a single erection crew. The erection phasing was carefully planned so that the erection crew could alternate sides of the building behind each of the concrete crews. Three tower cranes were set up inside the 50,000 sq. ft. footprint, with critical crane assignment and jib clearance planning to ensure that the concrete and steel operations progressed efficiently and safely. A separate erection plan was developed for each phase
to address order of erection for individual members, shoring, and temporary bracing.
Shoring and stabilization The cantilevered girders at the southeast side of the atrium ultimately provided vertical support to roof trusses and the adjacent roof infill framing, and heavy shoring was used to control deflection of these girders until the roof framing was erected, bolted, and welded. A loading analysis model identified the stability and degree of vertical deflection at each roof leaf as erection progressed. Many roof trusses were swept (horizontally curved) and tapered which made them inherently unstable, and in many cases the use of adjacent infill members as lateral stabilizers for the trusses was not feasible. A primary crane was used to set and temporarily support a pipe truss, and a second crane erected adjacent framing and temporary brace members prior to release of the truss crane. In all, 14 shoring towers were required for the roof structure. One 70 ft. tall tower provided support where three pipe trusses converged into a single node over the atrium. In some cases, the shoring towers provided support of trusses or girders until future phases could be erected, and in other cases the shoring towers supported long beams prone to deflection to assure fit-up of adjoining beams. Although these long beams had significant anticipated deflections, there was virtually zero deflection of the adjacent concrete wall. Without these shoring towers, the connection of framing members between the concrete wall and the long soft members could not have been made.
Alternate connections, sub-phase planning The original design intended for all pipe truss end connections and mid-chord splices to be detailed with CJP welded pipe connections. Before submitting a bid, PBI developed an alternate bolted connection for pipe members that eliminated several hundred welds. The roof infill framing was mostly tapered, contoured beams built up from plate sections and configured into a “two-way” frame incorporating nearly 700 beam-end moment connections. Asymmetrical contouring of the roof resulted in secondary roof beams moment connecting to primary headers at unique slopes. Given the unique contouring of the decking and the need for the decking to lay
cleanly over the hundreds of moment connection top flange plates, PBI opted to build a mock-up complete with top flange moment connection strap plates. The team obtained samples of the roof decking and installed the samples on the mock-up in various directions to assess its ability to bear adequately over the strap plates and fasten securely using Hilti powder actuated fasteners (PAFs). The structural analysis model enabled the team to create erection sub-phases that ensured stability, minimized fit-up issues, and The complex geometry of the roof framing required strict adherence to followed the concrete erection sequencing to minimize deflections and aid in alignment of bolted wall pours to avoid erecconnections. tion downtime. Detailed instructions with specific bolting, welding, and temporary bracing requirements for each step team utilized the plans and provided digital or erectable piece were provided, as well angle finders and other precision tools to effias individual erection plans for each phase. ciently layout and install the 300+ skewed and rotated connection clips at the roof. Second and third level composite PBI developed and implemented a detailed framing horizontal lifeline and fall protection plan to PBI began erection of the Level 2 in August provide workers with abundant tie-off options 2018. Once the first phase was complete, PBI and safe walking surfaces while erecting, began installing embed connections using a detailing, and decking the roof framing. custom set of embed connection drawings The erection of each truss and some of for a more efficient layout process. Once the longer primary beams required a twoshoring towers for the cantilevered girders crane operation – one for hoisting the truss were assembled and placed, the cantilevered or primary support member and the other girders were set, using careful critical lift plans for placing stabilizing infill framing and for unloading and setting. temporary bracing. A dry run for each truss As construction proceeded, PBI followed confirmed crane clearances and optimal behind the two concrete crews with a single crane swing directions. Because each truss embed crew and raising gang. In addition to was uniquely asymmetrical, curved, and/or the moment welds associated with the heavy tapered, PBI created an adjustable rigging plan cantilever framing, the third level required that allowed them to be rolled and sloped splicing of particularly heavy column mem- as needed. bers with thick (>3") CJP flange welds. PBI’s In one of the larger leafs, there were sevexperienced welding team employed Fluxcore eral 120' x 6' girders that were spliced in the welding for faster production, and out of more air and supported by shoring towers to make than 200 connections, only one minor weld lifting the heavier sections with a tower crane inclusion required repair. possible. Even with the splices, a tandem tower crane critical lift was required to set Roof framing some of the sections. Custom plans were developed to provide PBI incurred zero recordable inciprecise connection working point layouts and dents for the museum project on time and connection rotation information. The embed under budget. Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 29
Trusses were shipped in three pieces. Placement involved several critical lifts, the largest coming in at 92% of crane load capacity. Crane setup required re-shoring the subgrade basement walls for crane loading.
■ Metrolina Gets Honorable Mention for Capital One Hall Capitol One Hall consisted of approximately 3,030 tons of structural steel including long and short span trusses, heavy plate girders, large box columns, grand stairs, and elaborate round pipe angled façade truss towers for the glass and stone skin support. This intricate structure involved large members, complex shapes, and challenging fit-up. There were basically no right angles in the whole project. When it opens in 2021, Capital One Hall will be used for corporate events based at the Capital One headquarters. “This was a large structure on a postage stamp-sized jobsite,” noted Project Manager Matt Holmes. “It was adjacent to a 33-story office building, so we timed deliveries of the 200 loads of steel to avoid disturbing people coming to work. Thanks to a great working relationship with Whiting-Turner, sub work was completed and anchor bolts were in right on schedule.” Construction of the Hall was divided into five sections, each with its own complexities and challenges. The north entry houses street retail with an open foyer and a monumental stair. Each section of the large roof trusses was shop-built and detailed for field assembly and camber requirements. Trusses were shipped in three pieces. Placement involved several critical lifts, the largest coming in at 92% of crane
load capacity. Crane setup required re-shoring the subgrade basement walls for crane loading. Precisely executed rigging and handling was required to set the massive trusses into place. The final crane plan, chosen from eight proposed plans, identified the optimal crane configuration for the necessary hoisting and minimized impact to traffic. In the administrative and mechanical area, workspace was limited by proximity to an existing building. As this area took shape, all embed locations, placement, and tolerances required for successful construction had to be carefully checked. The balcony and gallery area houses retail, a grand monumental stair from the foyer, and a rooftop biergarten with outdoor park 10 stories above the ground. This area featured roof trusses and balconies that cantilever from the concrete shear wall and hang from the roof trusses above. The stair required meticulous detailing to get all geometries correct over such a large span. Each of the stone treads was shipped loose of the stringers and set individually. The team set balcony elevations and shoring per the engineered plan with hangers loose and final welded connections were made after the final dead load was placed on the green roof. Since the stair is such a prominent feature, close attention to aesthetics was critical. The theater space features balcony seating and a black box theater. Specialized acoustical
30 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
pads were used to isolate the theater from the rest of the structure. This area required the most complicated fabrication in the project, including raker trusses and balcony framing, catwalks and rigging steel, and more roof trusses. For this phase, the team worked inside four concrete shear walls. Sequencing was critical — construction progressed from the bottom of the box to the top, and catwalks were dropped in after truss erection was completed. Metrolina created a detailed erection plan for rigging roof trusses and shoring balcony raker trusses to correct elevations, removing the shoring, and maintaining correct elevations. The building features an iconic sawtooth façade. At locations where it interacts with windows, the steel is exposed to view and is treated as low-level AESS. Here, 37 shop-built vertical trusses wrap the entire perimeter of the building to support the building’s skin, which required highly precise erection since negligible errors from the first trusses could easily propagate to become large misfits at the end. Steel delivery and erection for the façade took place simultaneously with erection of the main structure. The shipping and laydown of the long, wide trusses, including over-length and over-width deliveries, had to be carefully coordinated not to conflict with other deliveries.
•
This intricate structure involved large members, complex shapes, and challenging fit-up. There were basically no right angles in the whole project.
If You Rig, Lift, Erect or Haul It - We Insure It. M&P Specialty Insurance provides insurance & risk management services for the steel erection, crane,rigging, and heavy hauling industries. Industry Classifications
Protection For Over 20 Years.
- Steel Erection
- Detailed Contractual Review
- Rigging
- Licensed Nationwide
- Crane Rental w/Operator - Heavy Hauling
- Underwritten by A+ Rated Carriers - Alignment of Insurance Products, Contractual Detail, & Property Risk Management Practices
- Bare Crane Rental - Millwright - Fabrication - House Moving / Raising
Offering Comprehensive Coverage, Excellent Customer Service & Competitive Premium
803-936-1601 | www.MPSpecialty.com Contact Jason McElrath (jason@mpspecialty.com)
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 31
1179 Sunset Blvd. West Columbia, SC 29169
SPECIAL FOCUS: CONTENTS: ] SEAA/NCCER IRONWORKER CRAFT TRAINING UNITS & ASSESSMENT SITES ] AERIAL DEVICE OPERATOR ] FALL PROTECTION ] IRON WORKER ] WELDING
T
his directory provides training resources for employers of ironworkers in the categories of Aerial Device Operator, Fall Protection, Ironworker, and Welding. These categories were selected because of their relevance to structural steel ironworking activities. Companies in these categories offer their services to the general public. Only SEAA member companies qualify to receive an upgraded listing featuring their logo. Editor’s Note: Every attempt was made to contact known entities to submit relevant information. Information published was provided by those who responded. If your company meets the requirements and would like to be considered for future listings, please contact editor@seaa.net to request a form.
SEAA/NCCER Craft Training Units & Assessment Sites SEAA is an accredited training sponsor for NCCER, providing SEAA members access to the custom SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Craft Training program. Member companies who have achieved SEAA/NCCER Training Units and/or Assessment Sites credentials are listed on page 33. These companies make training and qualification a priority for their employees. SEAA’s program features exclusive benefits for members, which cuts costs and administrative requirements. Participating members have access to dozens of additional craft training programs, including Mobile Crane, Rigger, and Signal Person certifications. Some of the SEAA/NCCER Training Units and Assessment Sites are also U.S. Department of Labor-approved Ironworker Apprenticeships. SEAA provides members the Apprenticeship Standard as a tool to create and register formal training that meets State and Federal requirements. Each year, new participants can apply for an annual grant that offsets startup costs. Find out how you can implement accredited craft training and assessments at seaa.net/craft-training.html or contact Tim Eldridge, SEAA’s Craft Training and Assessment Administrator at t_eldridge@bellsouth.net. 2020 TRAINING DIRECTORY 32 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
2020 Training Directory
SEAA IRONWORKER CRAFT TRAINING UNITS & ASSESSMENT SITES L&L Construction Inc. Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc. Houston, TX goapprenticeship.com
Deem Structural Services, LLC Longview, TX deemstructural.com Ironworker Training & Assessments
Ironworker Training & Assessments, DOL Registered Apprenticeship; Available to the public
Quakertown, PA landlconstructioninc.net
Steel Fab Enterprises, Inc.
Ironworker Training & Assessment
Lancaster, PA teelfabenterprises.com
Monterey Structural Steel, Inc.
Ironworker Training & Assessments, DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Watsonville, CA Ironworker Training & Assessments
Eastern Constructors, Inc. All Things Metal, LLC Phoenix, AZ allthingsmetalllc.com
Geismar, LA easternci.com Ironworker Training & Assessments
Rigger & Signal Person Assessments and NCCER Certifications
Steel Fabricators, LLC Ft. Lauderdale, FL sfab.com
Pro Steel Erectors Inc. Glendale, AZ Prosteelerectors.net
Ironworker, Rigger, Signalperson & Crane Assessments, DOL Registered Apprenticeship
Ironworker Training & Assessment
Evolution Safety Resources Raleigh, NC Evolutionssafetyresources.com
ASPE-South, LLC
Ironworker Training & Assessment, Mobile Crane, Rigger and Signal Person
Graham, NC aspesouth.com
Erection & Welding Contractors, LLC Plainville, MA teambes.com
North Charleston, SC tridenttech.edu
Orland, CA rackleyco.com
NCCER Authorized Assessment Site
Ironworker Training & Assessments
Ironworker Training & Assessments
Building Envelope Systems
Trident Technical College
Rackley Company, Inc.
Berlin, CT Erectionwelding.com Ironworker Training & Assessment
S&H Steel Co.
Trivent Safety Consulting, LLC
Gilbert, AZ Shsteelaz.com
Westminster, CO triventsc.com
Ironworker Training & Assessment
Ironworker, Rigger & Crane Training; NCCER Mobile Crane Certification; Available to the public
Ironworker Training & Assessments
Garrison Steel Erectors, LLC Pell City, Alabama garrisonsteel.com
Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc. Shelbyville, TN coopersteel.com
Ironworker Training & Assessments; High School and Post-Secondary Curriculum
Ironworker & Fabricator Training & Assessments; Curriculum partnerships with local schools
Guy M. Turner, Inc. CSE, Inc. Madison Heights, VA cseonline.net
S&R Enterprises, Inc. Orange Park, FL and Harrisburg, PA srenterprises.com Ironworker, Rigger, & Signalperson Training & Assessments, DOL Registered Apprenticeship (FL)
Greensboro, NC guymturner.com
Schulz Iron Works, Inc.
Rigger, Signalperson, & Mobile Crane Assessments and NCCER Certifications
Ironworker Training & Assessments; NCCER Mobile Crane, Rigger, & Signal Person Training and Certifications
Ironworker Skills Institute
Shelby Erectors, Inc.
Pell City, Alabama Ironworkerskills.com Ironwoker Training & Assessment
Davie, FL shelbyerectors.com
Wake Tech Community College Raleigh, NC Waketech.edu NCCER Authorized Assessment Site
Raleigh, NC
Ironworker Training & Assessments
Reinforcing Ironworker Training & Assessments, Registered DOL Apprenticeship
2020 TRAINING DIRECTORY Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 33
2020 Training Directory
AERIAL DEVICE OPERATOR Construction Safety Council
First Quality Forklift Training LLC
Iron Workers International
Trivent Safety Consulting LLC
Hillside, IL Info@buildsafe.org Buildsafe.org Association
Appleton, WI tim@firstqualityforklifttraining.com firstqualityforklifttraining.com Training Consultant
Washington, D.C. lworley@iwintl.org ironworkers.org Association, Union
Westminster, CO bryanm@triventsc.com triventsc.com Training Consultant
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT- OSHA and IPAF authorized training center provides classroom and hands-on safety training for hazard recognition, inspection, operation and supervision.
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT—For companies located in Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula of Michigan we offer on-site OSHA-compliant MEWPs certification training for scissor lifts, telescopic booms, and articulating boom lifts.
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT, OTHER—Course meets general, hazard recognition, and avoidance requirements of OSHA, ANSI, and CSA for workers on all types of mobile elevating work platforms.
3-E Safety Services, LLC
Genie
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT--Meets current ANSI A92 MEWP Standards, OSHA requirements, ANSI A92 MEWP Standards. Covers fall protection requirements, Personal Fall Arrest Systems, fall restraint, inspections, safe operation, statistics, rescue plan requirements.
Kansas City MO cory@3esafety.com 3esafety.com Training Consultant
Redmond, WA AwP.Training@terex.com Genielift.com Manufacturer BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT, OTHER - Operator and trainer training on all classifications of mobile elevating work platforms available at training centers and in the field. Includes fall protection awareness training as it pertains to its use on mobile elevating work platforms.
MSC Safety Solutions/Colorado Crane Operator School
United Academy
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT—Classroom and Hands-On training. Client must provide equipment for hands-on.
EPRO Safety Solutions, LLC. Ashburn, VA info@GoEPRO.com GoEPRO.com Training Consultant BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT, OTHER- Meets OSHA and ANSI-A92 standards, instructor-led and train-the trainer courses available at facilities or job sites.
Evolution Safety Resources Raleigh, NC j.kunlo@evolutionsafetyresources.com evolutionsafetyresources.com Training Consultant
International Powered Access Federation Cumbria, UK info@ipaf.org Ipaf.org/en/training-centers Training Consultants BOOM LIST, SCISSOR LIFT, OTHER- Classroom and eLearning courses for mobile elevating work platforms. Courses are aimed at operators, managers/supervisors, demonstrators, installers and instructors. Available at more than 750 IPAF approved training centers globally.
Frederick, CO tclark@mcss.us mscss.us/ccoschool.us Training Consultant
Nationwide UnitedAcademy@ur.com Unitedacademy.ur.com Manufacturer/Distributor
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT—Training meets requirements of OSHA, ANSI, and best practices. Classes tailored to meet your needs. Available nationwide.
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT, OTHER—Instructor-Led, Online, Blended Learning, Immersive Learning (coming soon) providing familiarization, hands-on and skills testing, and certification. Also Train-the-Trainer courses
SafeDay, Inc.
United Alliance Services, LLC.
Winston Salem, NC scott.day@safedayinc.com safedayinc.com Training Consultant
Canton, MA SafetySolutions@unitedallianceservces.com Unitedallianceservices.com Training Consultants
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT—Course provides classroom training and practical evaluation for participants to safely operate Aerial Work Platforms. Includes in-depth review of general safety requirements and safe work practices for various types of Aerial Work Platforms used in construction.
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT- Aerial Lift Safety Awareness course provides a basic understanding of the OSHA Standards governing areal lifts and methods available to prevent fall hazards.
FrenchCreek Production, Inc
Iron Workers International
Franklin, PA stefanm@frenchcreekproduction.com frenchcreekproduction.com Manufacturer
Washington, D.C. lworley@iwintl.org ironworkers.org Association, Union
AWARENESS, SUPERVISOR, RESCUE, COMPETENT PERSON—Courses range from classroom to hands-on training; delivered at our facility or yours. Includes safety skills and knowledge for compliance with laws and regulations.
AWARENESS, SUPERVISOR, RESCUE, COMPETENT PERSON, OTHER—Training relating to hazards, rules, prevention, and proper rescue of construction falls.
BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT—Custom, on-site training that utilizes hands on learning and classroom based education.
FALL PROTECTION Construction Safety Council
EPRO Safety Solutions, LLC.
Hillside, IL Info@buildsafe.org Buildsafe.org Association
Ashburn, VA
AWARENESS, COMPETENT PERSON, OTHER- OSHA authorized training center that provides EM-385 training, including hazard recognition, prevention and compliance.
info@GoEPRO.com GoEPRO.com Training Consultant AWARENESS, COMPETENT PERSON, SUPERVISOR, OTHERCourse prepares participants to identify existing and predictable fall hazards in the workplace and take corrective measures to eliminate them.
3-E Safety Services, LLC Kansas City MO cory@3esafety.com 3esafety.com Training Consultant AWARENESS, SUPERVISOR, RESCUE, COMPETENT PERSON—2,4, 8,16, and 24 hour training that complies with OSHA, and EM-385.
Evolution Safety Resources Raleigh, NC j.kunlo@evolutionsafetyresources.com evolutionsafetyresources.com Training Consultant BOOM LIFT, SCISSOR LIFT—Custom, on-site training that utilizes hands on learning as well as classroom based education.
2020 TRAINING DIRECTORY 34 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Fall Protection continues on page 36
GET COMPETITIVE HEAVY HAUL RATES Compare Rates from Bonded and Insured Transport Companies
FOR SHIPPERS
FOR TRANSPORT COMPANIES
• Fast, Free transport estimates in as little as 30 seconds
• Thousands of quality leads generated from industry-leading platforms*
• The hassle-free way to ship oversize/ overweight and specialized loads
• Fair competition, with a fully transparent process and blind bidding only
• Vetted transport companies for quality results • FR8Star agent support whenever you need it
• Easy to use, with expert support and dedicated representative on hand every step of the way
Contact our FR8Star team to get started today.
WWW.FR8STAR.COM | (888) 412-0533
*MachineryTrader.com, TractorHouse.com, TruckPaper.com, AuctionTime.com, Equipmentfacts, HiBid
2020 Training Directory
FALL PROTECTION
SafeDay, Inc. MSC Safety Solutions/Colorado Crane Operator School Frederick, CO tclark@mcss.us mscss.us/ccoschool.us Training Consultant AWARENESS, SUPERVISOR, RESCUE, COMPETENT PERSON—All levels including required 24 hour USACE Competent Person class. Classroom and hands on.
Winston Salem, NC scott.day@safedayinc.com safedayinc.com Training Consultant COMPETENT PERSON—Course prepares participants to recognize fall hazards and apply appropriate fall protection regulations. Includes in-depth review of various OSHA Fall Protection regulations as applies to a wide variety of construction activities.
Tech Safety Lines Inc Carrollton, TX alida@techsafetylines.com techsafetylines.com Manufacturer AWARENESS, RESCUE, COMPETENT PERSON, OTHER—Courses include Fall Protection Awareness, Rescue and Competent Person Climber Training. Concentration on various uses and applications of self-rescue and assisted rescue equipment. Greatest portion of the class is held on an elevated structure. After familiarity with simple processes used with the equipment, students participate in simulated rescue scenarios.
Trivent Safety Consulting LLC Westminster, CO bryanm@triventsc.com triventsc.com Training Consultant AWARENESS, SUPERVISOR, RESCUE, COMPETENT PERSON—Geared for steel erection. Includes 4 Hour Awareness, 8-hour Supervisor,8 Hour Fall Protection Rescue, 24 Hour EM385 1-1 Competent Person Fall Protection, 8 Hour EM385 1-1 Refresher Training
United Academy Nationwide UnitedAcademy@ur.com Unitedacademy.ur.com Manufacturer/Distributor OTHER-- Instructor-Led, Online, Blended Learning, Immersive Learning (coming soon) for half day, full day, and third party CE outsourcing.
United Alliance Services, LLC. Canton, MA SafetySolutions@unitedallianceservces.com Unitedallianceservices.com Training Consultants AWARENESS, COMPETENT PERSON, RESCUE, SUPERVISOR- Fall Protection courses include 24-Hour Competent Person Fall Protection Training (USACE EM 385), Fall protection For the Competent Person and Fall Protection Hazard Awareness.
2020 TRAINING DIRECTORY 36 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Streamline structural steel fabrication.
YL
Yield-Link® Software
Yield-Link® technology tools from Simpson Strong-Tie — a smarter way to tackle complex connections. Our Yield-Link software plugins and design support services provide the functionality and technical expertise to help you quickly detail, fabricate and erect complete designs matched to your project’s unique specifications — all while keeping you on time and within budget. Download the right tools for your structural steel project by visiting go.strongtie.com/ylpluginfab or call us at (800) 999-5099 to learn more.
Available plugins: Tekla®
© 2020 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. YLSP19-F
2020 Training Directory
IRON WORKER
WELDING
3-E Safety Services, LLC Kansas City MO cory@3esafety.com 3esafety.com Training Consultant SUBPART R
American Welding Society Iron Workers International Washington, D.C. lworley@iwintl.org
List LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, APPRENTICE. ACS sponsors an employer-centric Department of Labor (DOL) Community-based Registered Apprenticeship program for occupations in multiple industries. Sponsors the largest veteran apprenticeship in the State of Texas
Cooper Steel Fabricators, Inc. Shelbyville, TN clegnon@coopersteel.com coopersteel.com Manufacturer LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, SUBPART R, CONNECTOR HAZARD—Utilize the NCCER/SEAA Ironworker Certification course. Cooper Steel is an Accredited Training Unit with certified Craft Instructors and Performance Evaluators. Offering SEAA Steel Fabricator Training and Assessment. Curriculum partner with local schools.
Educational Services Unlimited, LLC Mt. Holly, NC t_eldridge@bellsouth.net Training Consultant OTHER: Helping organizations build NCCER accredited or custom training programs-from concept to implementation.
MSC Safety Solutions/Colorado Crane Operator School Frederick, CO tclark@mcss.us mscss.us/ccoschool.us Training Consultant LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, APPRENTICE, SUBPART R, CONNECTOR HAZARD—NCCER Ironworker Apprenticeship class for the public and testing facility. Steel erection industry training since 1990; specializing in trade training nationwide.
Pell City, AL patty@ironworkerskills.com Ironworkerskills.com Trade/Technical School, Training Consultant
Atema Inc Chicago, IL anna@atema.com atema.com Training Consultant OTHER—AISC required QCI (Quality Control Inspector) training via web session or onsite at active jobsites. Includes welding inspection and WPS creation per AWS D1.1 Structural Welding Code—Steel and AWS D1.3 Structural Welding Code—Sheet Steel, and AISC Chapter N Quality Control welding N5.4.
Miller Electric Mfg LLC Appleton WI info@millerwelds.com millerwelds.com Manufacturer SMAW, FCAW—Custom training available through company training centers or district managers, and partnerships with local Unions, schools, and distributors.
Steel Structures Technology Center, Inc. Howell, MI Rshaw@steelstructures.com Steelstructures.com Training Consultant OTHER- Online Seminars on structural welding inspection and related topics.
Steel Structures Technology Center, Inc. Howell, MI Rshaw@steelstructures.com Steelstructures.com Training Consultant LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, APPRENTICE- Online seminars on structural bolting Inspection and inspection of erected steelwork.
Trivent Safety Consulting LLC Iron Workers International Washington, D.C. lworley@iwintl.org ironworkers.org Association, Union Training in equipment and welding processes
Westminster, CO bryanm@triventsc.com triventsc.com Training Consultant LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, APPRENTICE, SUBPART R, CONNECTOR HAZARD—Delivers SEAA sponsored NCCER Ironworker apprentice program for all levels as well as OSHA Subpart R and connector hazard training.
Canton, MA SafetySolutions@unitedallianceservces.com Unitedallianceservices.com Training Consultants SUBART R- Ironworker course provides participants with proper steel erection safety, and applicable OSHA standards.
LEVEL 1, LEVEL 2, LEVEL 3, APPRENTICE—Prepares individuals for all aspects of the Iron Industry Trade
2020 TRAINING DIRECTORY 38 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Westminster, CO bryanm@triventsc.com triventsc.com Training Consultant SMAW, FCAW--Structural steel weld training through SEAA sponsored NCCER Ironworker apprentice program.
Welding Training Solutions, Inc. Monroe, IA rcowman@weldingtrainingsolutions.com weldingtrainingsolutions.com Training Consultants
Trivent Safety Consulting LLC
United Alliance Services, LLC. Ironworker Skills Institute
Miami, FL jmcbain@aws.org aws.org Association OTHER Nine specialized certifications for inspectors, supervisors, educators, radiographic interpreters, welding engineers, fabricators, etc. Welding education for those looking to fulfill company requirements or for specialized certifications.
Adaptive Construction Solutions, Inc. Houston, TX goapprenticeship.com Training Consultant
SMAW = Shielded metal arc welding FCAW = Flux-cored arc welding
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. Cleveland, OH theo_facaros@lincolnelectric.com lincolnelectric.com Manufacturer SMAW, FCAW—Welding school has instructed over 250,000 people in theory, techniques and practices of welding safety and arc welding processes since 1917.
SMAW, FCAW, OTHER- Provides on-site training for fabrication maintenance and manufacturing Nationwide.
Western Welding Academy Gillette, WY info@westernweldingacademy.com westernweldingacademy.com Trade/Technical School SMAW, FCAW, OTHER- Additional courses include TIG Pipe Welding, fabrication pipefitting, structural welding, shop fabricator MIG pipe, pipeline, and accelerated combo pipe welding.
•
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
By Josh Roza
Travel Staffing Solutions for the Skilled Trades
W
ith a shortage of nearly 1 million skilled workers nationwide, which is projected to double by 2025, companies don’t have the necessary workforce to grow. The labor shortage causes many construction companies to lose money due to missed deadlines, overtime, and worker burnout. Unfortunately, traditional hiring methods are not an effective solution to this decades-old problem. For example, companies can get into bidding wars with their competitors for the limited available local talent, pay a headhunter 30% of a skilled worker’s total salary up front, hire full time HR employees to act as recruiters, or use a temp agency where people will jump at the first opportunity to take a full-time role with a competing company. Another option is the travel staffing model, which has been successful in the medical industry for decades placing nurses. Skillwork uses this model to recruit nationally. With more than 25 years of experience in construction, Josh Roza, Client Manager for SkillWork, helps companies get their projects completed on-time by finding them the skilled workers they need. Contact him at josh.roza@skillwork.com or visit skillwork.com for more information.
40 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
History of Travel Staffing More than 25 years ago, there was a chronic shortage of nursing professionals across the country. Demand kept increasing and hospitals were slowly getting crushed under the impact of their staffing problems. A few pioneering companies developed a new model to solve the problem: searching for skilled and certified nurses across the country who were also interested in opportunities outside their local communities. They soon discovered that the combination of adventure/opportunity for travel and great wages/ benefits was a perfect blend. Now there are an estimated 25,000 travel nursing jobs in the U.S. and more than 340 travel nursing companies. Utilizing this tried and tested travel nursing model, Skillwork has helped companies overcome their staffing shortages by recruiting and deploying the best skilled trade talent in transportation, manufacturing, and now, construction. Skillwork recruits for a large variety of skilled worker jobs, including some which make up the largest trade shortages—Project Managers, Riggers, Electricians, Crane Operators, Equipment Mechanics, Welders, Fitters, and others. We recruit nationally for these positions and use industry-leading testing to ensure that these men and women are highly skilled, vetted to fit your company
culture, and ready to work from day one—enabling companies to get back to growing their businesses. This unique model offers companies the ability to find the best talent from across the U.S., test them for a short-term project, renew their contract for another season/project, or potentially offer them a long-term position if they’re a great fit—effectively solving their short, mid, and long term staffing problems. Similar to travel nursing, the skilled workers we place are directly employed by us. They receive full benefits and the security of knowing that we’ll handle the logistics of getting them to the job that’s right for them—and the next after that. Additionally, companies are given several candidates to choose from for each position.
A new solution for construction What sets Skillwork apart from the traditional temp model is three-fold: our ability to recruit nationwide for the top talent, our proprietary approach to vetting workers, and our ability to move workers around the country for short-term projects. Our 7-step vetting process incorporates testing, screenings and interviews both internally and with our clients. It includes personality, skills, and aptitude-based testing using top-of-industry programs, as well as final interviews with the client to be sure that you’re getting the best talent for the job. Once vetted, these workers can be deployed in as little as 10 days. While the concept is new for the construction industry, the system works—nearly 9 out of 10 of our Skillworkers are either extended or offered permanent jobs. This travel staffing model drastically
increases your labor pool. By tapping a nationwide network of craft professionals, it increases the number of candidates available to you, and means that you have more collective experience to pull from. Skillwork isn’t meant to replace unions, apprenticeships, local talent searches, in-house recruiting initiatives, or long-term programs designed to energize the next generation for skilled trade careers. However, this is an additional tool that companies can leverage to augment their workforce. For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. earlier this year, many manufacturers were forced to close and/or severely limit production. Others were classified as Critical/Essential Infrastructure, and faced the challenge of higher demand while at the same time losing some of their workers in the at-risk population— on top of already being short-staffed. We were able to partner with a number of these companies and rapidly provide fully trained and vetted trades workers directly to their teams. One food manufacturer in particular had some of their best workers quarantined at home and were struggling to meet the demand as an Essential Workforce. Skillwork was able to rapidly deploy fully trained and vetted workers, filling 96% of their open jobs in the U.S. Here’s what their Human Resources Manager had to say: “The candidates are well-sourced and they provide a skills assessment that allows the management team to understand the candidate before they walk in the door. We have received well-qualified maintenance professionals that not only have demonstrated higher skills to win over their team, but an individual that fits comfortably into our work culture. Skillwork has made a huge impact on our staffing situation.”
•
1-866-733-3272
Connector | FALL EDITION September 2020 | 41
TOPPING OUT
During pandemic, Steel Production Remains Stable, Lead Times Remain Short “America’s structural steel industry remains a success story. Because steel mills were designated as essential businesses, production continued unabated. This also extends to hollow structural steel (HSS) production.” — Geoff Wiesenberger, Senior Editor of Modern Steel Construction, in July 2020 article, ‘Essential and Available’
Construction Tops List of Industries Taking Advantage of PPP Loans
Meet New Members Check out the Member Directory at SEAA.net
Hamilton Tree Service, Inc., Martinez, Calif., is a tree care company who specializes in large projects for contractors, municipalities, and developers. J.C Steel Erectors Corp., Bohemia, N.Y., is a full service, union construction company, that provides fabrication and erection for structural steel projects in the New York metropolitan area. According to Lendio, construction ranked first among industries in which Lendio PPP loans were issued, with an aggregate value of more than $181 million. (According to SBA data, construction was in the top three overall at $63.6 billion.) Lendio also reported that PPP loans it made to the construction industry saved more than 15,000 jobs. Source: Lendio.com
SIX
Health Risk
Behaviors More Common in
Construction
Industry
UP NEXT
Rogue Erectors, LLC., Leander, Texas, provides commercial steel erection and pre-casting for central Texas.
■ Smoking
■ No Leisure-Time Physical Activity
■ Smokeless Tobacco Use ■ Not Always Using Seatbelt ■ Binge Drinking
■ Getting Less than 7 Hours of Sleep a Day
Source: Construction Dive from research by NIOSH and Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Training Directory Safety & Training Award Profiles Welding
42 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
Winter Edition: December 2020 Ad Deadline: Nov. 13, 2020 ConnectorSales@seaa.net
Construction...
our common interest
“We are large enough to meet all of your insurance needs, yet small enough to appreciate your business and provide personal service.”
Supporting the Steel Erectors Association of America and Promoting a Safe Work Culture! We offer the following coverages: General Liability, Property, Auto, Umbrella, Inland Marine (Equipment), Workers’ Compensation, Professional Liability, D&O, Health and Life Insurance.
7896 Donegan Drive, Manassas, VA 20109 • (703) 257-7540 • (800) 553-8359