Connector - Fall 2021

FALL EDITION 2021

Revitalizing

COMMUNITIES

16 Maintaining Good Cost Records 20 Assessing Fall Hazards 24 2021 SEAA Trade Show Preview THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Award-worthy projects provide homes for the arts and history

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c ntents

FALL EDITION September 2021

FEATURES Management

16

Maintaining Good Cost Records When work is delayed contractors can be held to the requirement to prove “critical path”

By J. Kent Holland, Jr.

20

In the Field Assessing Fall Hazards Preparing fall protection for the steel erection jobsite

By David Ivey

Special Focus

24

Adventure Awaits SEAA trade show exhibitors showcase solutions for erectors, fabricators

34 Cover Story Revitalizing Communities Award-worthy projects provide homes for the arts and history

By Tina Cauller On the cover: The erection of a funnel cloud shaped stair was just one unique element of Buddy Holly Hall performing arts center in Lubbock, Texas, erected by Deem Structural Services.

The other award winning project, (shown here) converted a ballpark into an amphitheater. United Steel installed a 135-foot diameter ring 80 feet in the air off columns with pin connections.

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web.seaa.net/publications/subscribe.aspx 4 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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.

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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.

Steel Erectors Association of America

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.

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 Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, Associate Member Vice President David Deem, Industry Member Vice President Greg Phillips, Treasurer Chris Legnon, Secretary and Media Committee Chairman 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, Chairman, Cooper Steel Glen Pisani, Vice Chairman, MAS Building & Bridge David Deem, Deem Structural Services Alex Hogan, Malta Dynamics Kris McLean, High Plains Steel Services Will Nichols, Garder-Watson Decking Jim Simonson, Steel Service Ed Valencia, Derr & Gruenwald Construction Connector™ is published quarterly by the Steel Erectors Association of America, 3447 Robinhood Road, Suite 315 Winston-Salem, NC 27106

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 2021 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.

PERSPECTIVE

By Jack Nix

New Executive Director, Bright Future Ahead for Association

S

Help with Hiring & Training EAA has completed its nationwide search for a Our growth strategy is about more new Executive Director, and than just numbers. As the organization we are pleased to welcome grows, we will be better able to fund Pete Gum to the position. Gum has the kinds of projects that are useful 29 years of experience as the CEO to members in their day-to-day operof not-for-profit construction trade ations. Meanwhile, new initiatives are associations. in development. For example, to help We received applications from members with hiring, this fall we will dozens of qualified candidates across be launching a new employee applicant the country. The Board of Directors tracking system available to members at was extremely thorough in its search a deeply discounted price. More than just and conducted multiple rounds of a job board, this software automatically panel interviews throughout the propromotes your job listings and provides R. Pete Gum, SEAA Executive Director cess. Gum comes to SEAA from the pre-qualification tools. Additionally, SEAA Associated Builders & Contractors of will be offering webinars in the coming Western Pennsylvania, where he served as President. It months on using the system and hiring strategy tips. was in this role that he worked closely with the NCCER In January, Houston-based member Adaptive Concraft training curriculum and increased student partici- struction Solutions is providing its facility for SEAA’s pation in the association’s craft training programs. very first Careers in the Steel Industry Job Fair. The Job Gum has a proven track record with helping associa- Fair will target graduating high school seniors and active tions increase membership, which is a primary focus for job seekers, including veterans, and recently discharged SEAA as we enter our 50th year in 2022. The Membership service members. See more info in the Association News Committee, with assistance from outside consultants, is section, page 10.

Access to training is also important to members. The evaluating how we can increase value for members as Safety & Education Committee is spearheading the crewell as expand services to additional contractors aligned with the structural steel industry. This includes opening ation of training videos, designed to complement NCCER lines of communication with union erectors, providing curriculum. To date, more than 20 videos have been comcontent and services for fabricators, reinforcing steel pleted, and we have a goal of finishing as many as 75 by contractors, decking contractors, bridge contractors, and the end of the year. This is content that is free to memothers. Currently, 73% of members are steel industry ber companies, accessible by logging into your account. professionals, and we do have some members representDuring our July Board Meeting, the directors voted ing these other areas of expertise, but we would like to to move forward with packaging its own Reinforcing broaden that reach.

Ironworker curriculum using existing NCCER modules, Although membership growth has remained flat in and applying for related DOL Apprenticeship. This is in recent years, by mid-year we gained as many new mem- addition to our current structural steel ironworker training bers as we had for all of 2020. In addition, we currently program that has been available since 2014. More than have members in 40 out of 50 U.S. States and one Cana- 30 members across the U.S. currently use the program. dian territory. At Convention in October, we invite all SEAA may be nearly 50 years old, but we are not standnew member companies and all first-time attendees to ing still. The board of directors is actively reinventing a reception to meet your board of directors. This is a first what we do and how we do it, while having fun in the step toward our goal of offering peer mentoring oppor- process. If you’ve never been to a meeting, I encourage you to join us in Orlando. If you are not sure if SEAA is tunities in the future. for you, send me an email at membership@seaa.net Jack Nix is Chairman of SEAA’s Membership Committee and Vice and we will connect you with a member to answer your questions.

President of Operations for Shelby Erectors, Davie, Fla.

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8 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

ASSOCIATION NEWS

■ Steel Industry Job Fair Scheduled for January in Houston

S EVENTS & ACTIVITIES AISC SteelDay September 24, 2021 aisc.org/steelday

Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament October 12, 2021 MetroWest Golf Club Orlando, Fla.

SEAA’s 48th Convention & Trade Show October 13-14, 2021 Doubletree Entrance to Universal Orlando, Fla.

EAA announces its very first Careers in the Steel Industry Job Fair, scheduled for January 21, 2022. The Job Fair will target graduating high school seniors and active job seekers, including veterans, and recently discharged service members.

The Job Fair will be held at the facility of SEAA member company, Adaptive Construction Solutions (ACS), located at 6509 W. Little York Rd., Houston Texas, 77040. ACS sponsors a DOL apprenticeship program and is a SEAA training site that operates a 13,000 square foot NCCER training and assessment center.

SEAA members are invited to participate in the Job Fair at no charge. Indoor table-top booths and outdoor space is available. “Live, active-demonstrations are encouraged,” said David Deem, Chairman of SEAA’s Long Range Planning Committee. He also notes, “We already have several commitments from SEAA members, including rebar tying demonstrations by Shelby Erectors and an apprenticeship seminar by ACS.” This opportunity is available to SEAA members only. Space is limited. To reserve a booth or to schedule a demonstration contact Olga Nicoli at (847) 977-8137 or Olga.Nicoli@ACSTexas.com.

The Job Fair is preceded by a Board of Directors meeting, to be held on Thursday, January 20th along with a Meet-and-Greet reception later that evening.

■ SEAA Supports SteelDay & Careers in Construction Month SteelDay, sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction, is an annual event encouraging fabricators to connect with architecture, engineering, and construction professionals, students, and the public. SEAA supports the initiative, to be held on September 24, 2021, to showcase the structural steel industry.

Meanwhile, plan ahead for Careers in Construction Month, during October. Careers in Construction Month is a nationwide campaign spearheaded by Build Your Future (BYF) and NCCER. “Both SteelDay and Careers in Construction Month should be part of your annual workforce development planning. These events give you a chance to connect with your local communities and put your company and the industry on display,” said Geoff Kress, President of SEAA.

Winter Board of Directors Meeting and Meet & Greet January 20, 2022 Houston, Texas

Careers in the Steel Industry Job Fair January 21, 2022 Houston, Texas

SEAA’s 2022 Convention & Trade Show April 5-8, 2022 North Charleston, S.C.

AISC and BYF offer many useful resources for hosting events, including event ideas, tips for promoting, and checklists. If you want to attend a SteelDay event, you can find local opportunities using an interactive search tool.

You can get involved in Careers in Construction Month simply by asking your state governor to proclaim October as Careers in Construction Month.

For both initiatives, event hosts will find useful resources, including event ideas, promotion tips, downloads, videos, and more. Visit AISC.or/steeday or BYF.or/get-involved/careers-in-construction-month.

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10 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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PRODUCT FOCUS Fall Protection Gear

BONUS CONTENT

Product & Services

SHOWCASE

■ Rebar Robot Enhances Workforce Advanced Construction Robotics, Allison Park, Pa., has created a flexible and scalable solution for rebar installation work, known as TyBot. TyBot will tie rebar intersections continuously, ties in 100 percent or 50 percent pattern on bottom and top mats, and can accommodate bridges up to 100 feet wide. It can also self-locate, self-position and self-tie up to 1,100 rebar intersections per hour, and doesn’t require pre-mapping, programming or any calibration.

“TyBot ties in very well with our vision of the future and embracing technology,” says Jack Nix, VP of Operations, Shelby Erectors, Inc., Davie, Fla. “We don’t see this as a tool that is going to replace our workforce. We see it as an enhancement to our workforce. It gives us the ability to take our current workforce and workload, and replace the back-breaking part of the work with this robot that ties,” he said.

■ Enerpac Introduces Cordless Bar Cutter

Enerpac Introduces Cordless Bar Cutter

12 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Enerpac, Menomonee Falls, Wis., has introduced the Cordless Bar Cutter to its line of hydraulic cutters. The battery-powered model was designed for jobsites that don’t have access to on site power.

With the bar cutter, the bar is held in place behind a protective guard so there is no risk of shooting sparks, exploding blades, or exposure to high RPM cut-off wheels. The cordless bar cutter can be used to cut rebar and steel and aluminum bars (whether round, hexagonal, or square).

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■ Hilti Launches Mechanical Anchor Hilti North America, Plano, Texas, has expanded its concrete anchor portfolio with the Kwik Bolt-TZ2. The bolt delivers up to 20% higher tension performance and approvals, while optimizing edge distance and spacing. The KB-TZ2 was designed to make anchoring easier by being the only fractional expansion anchor that offers diamond core hole approvals. The KB-TZ2 has improved embedment depths for the thinnest of slabs and an expanded portfolio with 94 different diameter and length options. Specialized bolt and nut coatings help prevent over-torqueing and provide better pre-tension control to reduce the expansion forces transferred to the base material.

■ Ironworker’s Pliers Designed for

Rebar Tie Wire Work

Klein Tools, Lincolnshire, Ill., has announced a new plier set made for ironworkers. The set includes a heavy-duty side cutter and angled-head diagonal cutter. The heavy-duty side cutters can be used to twist and cut soft annealed rebar wire, and its knurled jaws are used for wrapping and looping plus spring-loaded action for self-opening. The diagonal cutters are designed for repeating the cutting of wire and to get into confined spaces.

Klein Tools Plier Set

Hilti Kwik Bolt TZ-2

■ 3M Releases Bidirectional Rescue and

Descent Device

The Rollgliss™ R550 offers the choice of controlled descent rescue, evacuation or the versatility of assisted rescue with lifting capabilities. The fully automatic controlled descent device can be used for rescue and evacuation from heights up to 1,640 ft for one user 310 lbs or under and 575 ft for two users totaling 620 lbs. It features 3/8-inch super static kernmantle rope, and is configured with connecting hardware at each end of the lifeline to operate in both directions. During assisted rescue scenarios, a fallen worker can be attached to the R550 device, raised to a point that allows their fall arrest device to be removed, then lowered to the ground safely.

Rollgliss R550 from 3M

■ Pettibone Debuts 10,000-lb

Traverse Telehandler

Pettibone, Baraga, Mich., introduced the Traverse T1056X telehandler, the company’s first 10,000-pound capacity Traverse model.

The T1056X has a lift height of 56 feet, 6 inches with a matching landing height, while its traversing boom provides up to 70 inches of horizontal boom transfer, extending its maximum forward reach to 45 feet, 10 inches.

Traverse T1056X telehandler

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14 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

MANAGEMENT

By J. Kent Holland, Jr.

Importance of Maintaining Good Cost Records When work is delayed contractors can be held to the requirement to prove “critical path”

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hen it comes to proving delay claim entitlement, the contractor can be held to the requirement to prove, through a critical path method (CPM) analysis, that the items of work that were delayed were on the critical path. Without a CPM analysis, it is difficult or impossible, to determine what is, or was, the critical path.

The court’s holding concerning the use of the jury verdict method in this case is helpful for clarifying when, and how, the method can be used. But even though the jury verdict method was used here to award some damages to the contractor, it must be noted that the contractor got only $155,000 out of its total $1.2 million claim. The jury verdict method is certainly no substitute for maintaining good cost records of each task that the contractor claims is impacted.

In this case, a contractor filed a request for equitable adjustment (REA) to the District of Columbia (D.C.) government asserting that the District caused $1.2 million in delay and impact costs, and other damages arising out of a road reconstruction project. It appealed a deemed denial to the D.C. Contract Appeals Board (CAB). The CAB found in favor of the contractor on all its claims based on defective specifications or differing site conditions, but

remanded to D.C. to negotiate the quantum of damages. D.C. then concluded that quantum was equal to “Zero” and the contractor appealed to the CAB, which awarded equitable adjustment in the amount of only $155,000 on the claim because the contractor failed to use a Critical Path Method (CPM) to prove its critical path was impacted and failed to keep good financial records of the damages claims. This decision was affirmed by the D.C. Court of Appeals in Rustler Construction, Inc. v. District of Columbia, 2111 A.3d 187 (2019).

Of note are the following holdings:

J. Kent Holland, Jr., is a construction lawyer located in Tysons Corner, Va., with a national practice. He is also president of consulting firm, ConstructionRisk, LLC. Contact him at Kent@ConstructionRisk.com.

The claim for overall delay

1. Contractor was unable to recover under a theory of “overall delay” because it failed to submit appropriate evidence to show the extent of delay to items on the critical path;

2. Contractor was unable to prove the amount of damages because it didn’t break down its costs by task; and

3. Contractor’s failure to demonstrate it was unable to keep detailed records doesn’t necessarily preclude the use of the jury verdict method to award the contractor a portion of its claimed damages.

The contractor wanted to use the number of days by which completion was delayed as a proxy for extra costs incurred. But overall

16 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

delay only occurs when delay by the government/owner affects items that are on the critical path. If the government causes delay to the completion of items outside the critical path, a contractor may not recover based on a theory of overall delay.

“The best way to establish the critical path is by presenting CPM schedules.” The court noted, “It is a well-accepted principle that contactors must modify and update the CPM schedules when issues arise during the course of construction.”

In this case, although the contract specifically required the contractor to frequently and regularly update the CPM schedules, it only submitted four CPM schedules throughout the course of the contract, and two of those were submitted before construction even began. “The only CPM schedules that [contractor] produced after construction began were insufficient to establish the effect of delay on the critical path.”

Although delay damages may sometimes be proven through expert testimony in the absence of up-to-date CPM schedules, the contractor failed to produce such expert testimony.

Calculating damages for additional tasks and out-of-sequence work The Board awarded the contractor damages for 28 days of additional tasks and out-of-sequence work. Due to Contractor’s failure to break down the costs by task, the amount of damages awarded was significantly

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2021 | 17

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less than the contractor requested. The contractor wasn’t happy with the award amount and contended that, “since it proved entitlement [during the entitlement stage of the Board proceedings], it should receive at the quantum stage all of the damages it requested.” In rejecting that argument, the Court noted that the regulations pertaining to the Board permit it to reserve the determination of the amount of recovery for another proceeding.

No lighter evidence rule for proving damages The contractor argued that it was only required to “prove the amount with sufficient certainty such that the determination of the amount will be more than mere speculation.” The court agreed that “a claimant need not prove his damages with absolute certainty or mathematical exactitude,” but that “the same preponderance of the evidence standard of proof that applies to an entitlement showing “also applies to proof of the amount of [a contractor’s] increased costs.”

Use of Jury Verdict Method appropriate

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The D.C. government argued that use of the jury verdict method was inappropriate because the contractor didn’t demonstrate a justifiable inability to produce evidence of its actual costs or cost estimates, and that the jury verdict method should only be used to resolve conflicting testimony.

The court began its analysis of this issue by stating that there “is some confusion about the jury verdict method and its application,” and that it can cover a variety of techniques to allow contract appeals boards and courts “to fashion a price adjustment that best compensates the contractor yet does not force the government to pay an amount that is unfair in the circumstances.” (Nash & Cibinic, Administration of Government Contracts 709, 4th Ed. 2006).

Following federal precedent, the court states “we have held that the jury verdict method may be used only when it is determined “(1) that clear proof of injury exists; (2) that there is no more reliable method of computing damages; and (3) that the evidence is sufficient for a court to make a fair and reasonable approximation of the damages.”

All three conditions were found by the court here. The D.C. government didn’t argue to the contrary. Instead, they argued that the method can’t be used because contractor didn’t demonstrate that it was “justifiably unable to provide actual cost data concerning the additional or out-of-sequence work it performed.”

The court held “that a contractor’s failure to demonstrate that it was unable to keep better records does not necessarily preclude use of the jury verdict method. However, we do not retreat from our prior statements that the use of the jury verdict method is disfavored.”

The court also rejected the argument that the jury verdict method is only appropriate to resolve conflicting testimony. In this regard the court explained, “While resolving conflicting testimony may be a common purpose for using the method, it may be employed in other circumstances as well. It may, for example, be used to calculate “the amount of an adjustment when there are gaps in the evidence or the evidence is not completely persuasive,” (Cibinic & Nash at 707). This court acknowledged that the jury verdict method “may be used when the board is not convinced by the contractor’s evidence of the precise amount owed, yet finds that some extra costs were incurred.”

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18 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2021 | 19

IN THE FIELD

By David Ivey

Assessing Fall Hazards Preparing fall protection for the steel erection jobsite

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orking in steel erection presents many instances where workers must work at heights and fall hazards are numerous.

Failure to provide fall protection remains one of the most consistently cited OSHA violations, so keeping workers safe while they work is essential to any steel erection jobsite.

When working on steel structures, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard for fall protection is set out in section 1926.760 of 29 CFR 1926 Subpart R and requires that workers operating at any height more than 15ft above a lower level must be protected from fall hazards.

The first step to providing a safe working environment to employees is to make an assessment of the fall hazards present in the workplace. This includes calculating fall distance and evaluating proper equipment for the application.

Assessments save lives A hazard assessment is a proactive step to identify risky conditions or dangerous environments before they cause an injury.

‘Before’ is the important word to focus on David Ivey oversees product development of fall protection and safety equipment at Malta Dynamics.

He also sits on the ANSI Z359 board and participates in many subcommittee meetings for safety products.

Contact him at divey@maltadynamics.com.

because a hazard assessment forces a close examination of worksite areas that might otherwise be overlooked or assumed to be safe.

The best method for fall protection is to eliminate the risk altogether by removing the worker’s need to be in hazardous areas at all.

When this is not possible, the next best solution is to position fall prevention around the hazard, such as installing guardrails or other engineered safety fall protection systems that safeguard workers in dangerous areas.

Fall protection plans are valuable training materials that prepare the worker to operate at heights. When a hazard cannot be completely eliminated, fall protection plans outline the potential hazards and how to use the provided equipment to protect the worker in the worst-case scenario.

When that worst-case scenario does occur, a rapid rescue is essential for preventing secondary injuries and even death that can occur in a fall incident. Creating a Rescue Plan lays out a course of action to follow in the event of a fall and arms workers with the knowledge and processes they need to follow in the event of an emergency to prevent further injury or death. Rescue plans include quick rescue options, who to contact, emergency numbers, and how to properly report incidents to OSHA. Having a plan in place ahead of time and offering training on the appropriate emergency response actions saves lives.

“Once you get the job blueprints, you’ve

20 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

really got to look through all of it and make sure your guys are trained up,” said Jason Farris, Vice President of Safety Compliance, of SEAA member company Cooper Steel, Shelbyville, Tenn.

Simply purchasing fall protection equipment for the crew isn’t going to suffice when an accident happens. The workers using the safety gear need proper training on how to use, inspect, and store it to prevent injury.

Improper care and use will deem the safety measures useless.

Identifying fall hazards, building plans and finding the right solutions can be a time-consuming process, but there are many free resources online to help expedite the process. Malta Dynamics, also a member of SEAA, offers free hazard assessment and fall protection plan templates, available for download at the Training Safety Resources tab at maltadynamics.com.

Planning for fall clearance “A big thing that people overlook is calculating their fall distance and making sure their fall protection system is accurate for the environment they will be working in,” said Farris.

Fall clearance is something that, by law, must be calculated and written out. The following are the five most important things to remember when calculating fall distance that will make the process easier.

3 Common Fall Protection Problems

By Bryan McClure Product innovation has also helped to protect ironworkers from falls in ways we never expected 25 years ago. These innovations have led to a multitude of different products and manufacturers, all with different acceptable uses and component compatibilities. As a result, equipment is often used incorrectly or in the wrong situations. These are three common mistakes I frequently see on steel erection sites.

1. Use of a D-Ring Extender with a Leading Edge Retractable On January 14, 2019, 3M issued a product advisory on the use of D-ring Extenders (also known as Pig Tails) with their leading edge self-retracting life lines. The problem that 3M discovered was that the D Ring extender would extend the external shock absorber further from the body during a fall which could lead to the shock pack coming in contact with the leading edge. When the shock pack contacted an unprotected sharp edge, it could sever.

Hooking an SRL to your dorsal D Ring without an extender is very difficult to do by yourself. Needless to say, when I deliver this news to ironworkers it almost always is met with exasperation.

Instead, the best way to connect the SRL to your D ring is to have a buddy help you. Not every leading edge SRL has an external shock absorber, and some are compatible with a D Ring extender. The only way to know for certain is to read the user manual.

2. Use of Hinged Anchors in the Weak Axis Fall arrest during decking operations is never easy. Rarely do deckers have the ability to anchor to an overhead structure. Consequently, they must tie off at foot level. The most user-friendly way to do this is to install a plate anchor to a fully attached sheet of decking with some self-tapping screws. Hinged anchors are very popular for this because they are inexpensive and light weight. Most hinged anchor manufacturers require that the end user attach their lanyard to the anchor so that the fall occurs in the long axis. Often, I see the anchor being tied off in the short axis. This configuration is too narrow, making it weak, which could result in failure if a fall were to occur. Not every plate anchor has this requirement. The only way to know for certain that you are using it correctly is to read the user manual.

3. Use of 6 ft. Free Fall Rated Lanyards for Foot Level Tie Off Probably the most popular fall arrest systems for ironworkers are beam anchors (also known as beamers) or cable anchors (cheater cables). Most ironworkers worth their weight in salt will walk the top flange of a beam. The problem with this when using a beamer or cheater cable is that you are exposing yourself to more than a 6 ft. free fall if you are tying off below your D ring. In fact, whenever you are tied off below your D ring, you are going to free fall more than 6 ft. with a six-foot-long static length lanyard, because you are increasing the free fall distance beyond 6 ft. In this scenario, it is better to be outfitted with a 12 ft. free fall rated lanyard.

The only way to tell what your lanyard is rated for is to look at the tag attached to it. Most 6 ft. free fall rated lanyards are marked with black letters on a white background, while 12 ft. free fall rated lanyards usually have white letters on a black background. The only way to know for certain that you are using the correct lanyard is to read the user manual and or the tags on the lanyard.

Referring to user’s manuals for all fall protection equipment is essential. If you do not have the user manual, most manufacturers make manuals available for download from their website. No one likes to read instructions but it really is a must when it comes to the equipment, we are depending on to send our employees home safe to their families every day.

Bryan McClure, CPTD, CHST, is a principal partner of Trivent Safety Consulting, Westminster, Colo., and a former ironworker. Contact him at bryanm@triventsc.com.

22 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

1. Identify the length of the fall protection connection system that will be used; whether it’s a 6ft lanyard or a 30ft self-retracting lifeline, the number must be properly factored in.

2. Consider the height of the worker. Many companies require a 6ft height of the worker in the calculations but in reality, the height will vary depending on where the D-Ring is located on the employee’s back.

3. Then there’s free fall distance, the distance before the fall protection system engages, OSHA allows up to 6ft, but self-retracting lanyards usually have a free fall distance of 2ft.

4. When the freefall distance stops, the deceleration distance starts. Deceleration distance is the distance during which personal protective equipment works to decelerate and arrest the fall.

5. Lastly, the safety factor needs to be considered. The safety factor is an added few feet and acts as a buffer to account for factors like the movement of the harness attachment or length that the harness might stretch when a fall is arrested.

Consider the equipment “Most of the work we’re doing is from an aerial lift but when we do have to get out on the steel, we use beamers, beam attachments, stanchions, or horizontal lifelines,” Farris said.

Beam clamps are ideal because they attach to I or H Beams, create anchors for structural steel or beams, and adjust to fit a range of sizes. As the worker moves around the jobsite multiple beam clamps can be fitted to allow the user to achieve 100% tie off using dual self-retracting lifelines or dual lanyards.

Another fast and secure way to attach to an I Beam, or other structure, is to use a cross arm strap, or beam wrap. These anchors are reusable and often include a heavy-duty wear pad and reinforced stitching to protect the structural webbing from abrasion. The straps wrap around the beam and use two D-Rings of different sizes to make the attachment of the safety harness system fast, effective, and easy.

Beam stanchions are easy-to-install fall protection anchor points that fit a variety of beam sizes. Beam stanchions are helpful for creating anchor points on steel I Beams and can be clamped onto the beam as a single unit or in

many cases, the stanchions are used in pairs to clamp into multiple beams to create a horizontal lifeline. This allows multiple users to tie-off and move around more freely while maintaining fall protection.

To create a horizontal lifeline for up to four people, steel erectors can use a 100 ft synthetic rope, a highly corrosion-resistant tensioner, four steel O-Rings, two self-locking carabiners, a tensioning wrench, two cross arm straps, and a sturdy double-braided high-visibility rope. These horizontal lifeline essentials combine to create a safe tie-off point for four workers with a minimum breaking strength of 5,620 lbs, and have the added advantage of being portable and durable.

Note, however, that according to OSHA, horizontal lifelines must be designed, installed, and used under the supervision of a qualified person, and must be designed to support twice the intended load. When using synthetic rope, be aware that it can cause cuts and burns.

It’s difficult to operate at heights, especially when there are welding materials, and other workers around to worry about, so hands-free positioning is an especially helpful asset. A rebar chain assembly is a work positioning device designed to allow workers

to perform hands-free bodily adjustments while maintaining elevation off the ground and staying connected to a fall arrest device.

The worker using the assembly can attach the swivel snap hooks to the side D-Rings on their harness, attach the swivel rebar hook to the anchor, lean away from the wall, and begin working with a wider range of movement.

Working with steel usually means building from the ground up and overhead anchorage can be hard to find, if not impossible. If tie-off at foot-level is a must, steel presents a hazard for encountering a sharp edge. A leading edge self-retracting lifeline is a personal fall arrest system that features a quick-action braking system and has been specifically designed for foot-level tie-off on leading edges when overhead anchorage is unavailable. Other retractable lifelines and lanyards are not rated to encounter a sharp edge like steel and will likely rip or snap altogether when employed to arrest a fall.

Permanent solutions Engineered connection points allow for permanent fall protection to be installed. If the jobsite requires continued safety through fall protection, engineered connection points can save time and offer a reliable built-in

anchor solution for workers who will frequent the same spot, or for use after construction to allow for maintenance and alterations.

Permanent anchors can be installed on steel beams and most likely feature a swivel top anchor with 360° of motion. It is vital to note that, per OSHA regulations, permanent anchors on beams require a structural analysis to 5,000 lbs. An anchor is only as strong and reliable as the structure it is attached to, don’t skip this step.

A horizontal lifeline cable system can be an extremely helpful and time-saving piece of fall safety equipment. Permanent horizontal lifelines typically consist of a stainless steel cable, end and intermediate posts, a tensioning system, a shock absorption device and shuttles or attachment points to attach the connecting device. This permanent lifeline cable system must be designed and engineered with a Qualified Person to ensure code is met and safety is accounted for.

The steel erection industry is a risky business with endless rewards. Proper preparation, execution and care will help ensure workers are protected and confident while they bring structures up from the ground.

Keep them safe and provide the safest fall protection work environment possible.

•

An Overlooked Fall Hazard: Unloading Trucks Before the steel can go up, it needs to be delivered to the jobsite and unloaded. In this scenario where OSHA mandates that anyone operating 4’ above the lower level must wear fall protection for loading and unloading. In most instances, transport trucks, tankers, or trailers are packed high, and a worker needs to get up on the unit to unload.

Adding a permanent engineered system or a mobile fall protection system at the delivery site can solve this problem, but in the steel erection industry locating overhead anchor points can be near impossible. Mobile fall protection units can be positioned as needed to provide overhead anchor points anywhere loading and unloading may occur or for lower-level projects up to 34 ft.

The XSERIES Mobile Grabber is one solution to the overhead anchorage shortage. Manufactured by Malta Dynamics, XSERIES is often referred to as ‘the anchor in the sky’ with the capability for five workers up to 310 lbs. to tie off up to 34 ft in the air.

The XSERIES Mobile Grabber family comes in an array of models with numerous assets to suit any steel erector jobsite. The X500 stationary unit has a 360° rotatable arm, leveling jacks, forklift pockets, and simple bolt together field assembly. For steel erectors in the lower-levels of projects, the XSERIES allows workers to function from 2 ft to 34 ft above the surface.

All the XSERIES mobile units are fully road towable at posted highway speeds and boast thousands of pounds of anchor weight. They can be positioned next to the material storage site and are ideal for loading and unloading from the transport trucks. The XSERIES Mobile Grabbers are OSHA and ANSI compliant and can be a temporary or permanent solution for providing anchorage above the D-Ring.

“We’re proud to be a member of SEAA and to be a part of keeping steel erectors safe,” said Malta Dynamics CEO, Damian Lang.

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2021 | 23

SPECIAL FOCUS: Exhibitor Preview

Adventure Awaits SEAA trade show exhibitors showcase solutions for erectors, fabricators

To see the full list of exhibitors, go to seaa.net/tradeshow.

S

EAA is getting real in Orlando this year for the 48th Convention and Trade Show, to be held Oct. 12-14. The event includes dedicated trade show time, three education sessions for managers and owners, and a panel discussion with the 2021 Project of the Year winners.

The trade show features indoor and outdoor exhibits and live demonstrations. Hands-on presentations to small groups of erector and fabricator managers and business owners makes this a highly-engaged trade show experience.

This preview highlights some of the products and services attendees will see at the show. See a current list of exhibitors at seaa.net/tradeshow. It’s not too late to join us at the only in-person steel industry event of 2021. Visit seaa.net/events to register.

Altec Cranes

Genie - A Terex Brand

altec.com/products/cranes

genielift.com

Altec Showcases New AC45E Crane. Be sure to stop by Altec’s booth to learn more about their full line of cranes and check out their newly released AC45E-127S boom truck crane.

American Institute of Steel Construction aisc.org AISC offers an industry-leading certification program that allows you to demonstrate your commitment to quality to your clients. You can also find more than 1,000 free webinars on AISC's website. And if you have technical questions, contact the AISC Steel Solutions Center at 866.ASK.AISC for complimentary assistance. In addition, SEAA erector members receive a 50% discount on AISC membership fees.

Crane Trader CraneTrader.com CraneTrader is an industry-leading platform serving buyers and sellers of new and used cranes and other rigging and lift equipment and parts.

The CraneTrader.com website is designed to make it easy for buyers to browse or search CraneTrader's continuously updated marketplace of cranes, parts, and attachments. CraneTrader’s monthly print edition complements the online offering, reaching customers directly worldwide.

As a Sandhills Global brand, the CraneTrader platform is tightly integrated with other Sandhills products and services. Sandhills is the company behind Machinery Trader, AuctionTime, Truck Paper and many other brands available in the U.S. and internationally.

Value Insight Portal (VIP), new from Sandhills, provides streamlined access to FleetEvaluator—which delivers accurate, real-time values for both retail and auction markets—and other powerful fleet management and sales tools, including FutureCast, TelematicsPlus, and Sandhills Cloud. Heavy-haul transport, asset financing, and equiment life cycle management are among the many other services CraneTrader offers.

24 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Genie has been the leading name in the aerials industry for 55 years. Today, Genie’s quality lifts and telehandlers can be found enhancing safety and improving productivity on jobsites worldwide.

This includes the GS™-1932 scissor lift equipped with the Lift Tools™ Access Deck, and the S®-65 XC™ Xtra Capacity™ telescopic boom lift with 12kW Lift Power — both of which will be on exhibit.

The GS-1932 scissor lift features E-Drive, which delivers real-world 25% gradeability and 30% more runtime per battery charge while the Lift Tools Access Deck provides a secondary surface for operators to work from, improving access to restricted spaces. Genie XC boom lifts are the ultimate tool for heavy-lifting work-at-height applications, such as welding, with an unrestricted platform capacity of 660 lb and a restricted capacity of 1,000 lb. The 12kW Lift Power “Welder-Ready” system also puts high power output directly in the platform, eliminating more than 100 ft of hanging cables.

GWY, LLC gwyinc.com GWY, LLC, the global leader in providing bolt installation tools!

A spark of inspiration came in the late 1960s, when Gene—an ironworker—was assembling a new gantry crane at Bath Iron Works in Bath, ME. Japanese powerhouse, Nippon Steel, supplied the crane, which featured a new type of bolt that had a twist-off tip (known as a TC bolt), as well as the electric shear wrenches necessary to install the bolts. Envisioning a broader application for these bolts across the United States, TC Bolt Corporation was soon formed to import and distribute TC Bolts and shear wrenches domestically.

With the business expanding worldwide in the 1970’s and with rapid growth continuing into the 1980’s, TC Bolt Corporation soon saw the demand for TC bolt expertise and project consulting. The business then became its own self-sufficient enterprise known today as GWY, LLC.

ADVENTURE AWAITS Action-Packed

Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament Indoor/Outdoor Trade Show

Networking Live Exhibitor Demos

OCTOBER 12-14, 2021 4 Education Sessions DoubleTree by Hilton

at entrance to Universal Awards & Receptions

48th CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW Orlando, Florida

LIFTING, RIGGING & FALL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Hilti www.hilti.com Hilti is a world-leading manufacturer and supplier of quality, innovative and specialized tools and fastening systems for the professional user. With more than 1,700 highly trained Hilti account managers and engineers throughout North America and an additional 1,300 Hilti employees nationwide.

Hilti expertise covers the areas of powder actuated fastening, drilling and demolition, cordless, diamond coring and cutting, measuring, firestopping, screw fastening, adhesive and mechanical anchoring, and strut and hanger systems.

IMPACT & Iron Workers www.impact-net.org

AIRCRAFT CABLE & WIRE ROPE

IMPACT is a labor management partnership designed to provide a forum for union ironworkers and their contractors to address mutual concerns and encourage reasonable, balanced solutions. Our members are committed to increasing the competitiveness and market share of the union ironworking industry. Our primary mission is to expand job opportunities through progressive and innovative labor management cooperative programs, providing expertise in ironworker and contractor training, construction certifications, safety, marketing and construction project tracking and bidding.

The Iron Workers & IMPACT provide world-class training to their growing 130,000 ironworker members at 157 training centers across North America. Thousands of hours of training are provided every year, and certifications are constantly checked and updated to ensure that our labor force is ready and able to deliver immediate manpower.

RIGGING HARDWARE

LeJeune Bolt Company lejeunebolt.com/tool-portfolio Introducing the new line of TONE CSS Cordless Shear Wrenches. Experience the freedom of cordless TC bolt installation from the leader in shear wrench technology.

Contact LeJeune Bolt to pre-order.

SLINGS

Liebherr USA, Co. liebherr.com

FALL PROTECTION

PROUD MEMBER

RIGGING

WAREHOUSE

(877) 331-3280 26 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Liebherr USA Offers a comprehensive range of Crawler Cranes from 123 ton to 440 ton. Liebherr Crawler Cranes are purpose built for quick constant lifting in any application and have great interchangeability with its wide range of Jibs, Runners, and Luffers.

We sell direct via trained Factory Sales Professionals located in your area, so, no Middle Man mark-up from a Dealership. All Techs are trained to be experts on Liebherr Crawlers, they specifically work only on Liebherr equipment.

To find out more about Liebherr and the products we provide, please come visit our Booth.

All That Jazz Discount

SOUTH CAROLINA

SEAA 49th Convention & Trade Show April 5-8, 2022 Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston Airport Hotel & Convention Center North Charleston, SC

Attention Exhibitors! 

Place $500 deposit by Oct. 31 to secure 2021 Trade Show Rates.



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

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2021 MEMBER RATE 2022 MEMBER RATE 2022 NON MEMBER RATE $1500 $1500 $2500

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$3500 $3500 $6500

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Lindapter USA LindapterUSA.com Established in 1934, Lindapter manufactures solutions for connecting structural steel sections, steel flooring and pipe / conduit supports. Lindapter connections avoid drilling or welding in the field and enable reduced installation time and labor costs, on-site adjustability and no damage to steel sections or protective coatings.

Products include the Girder Clamp, the world’s first and only structural steel clamping system approved by ICC-ES and compliant with the International Building Code (IBC). A high-strength, permanent connection is quickly achieved by clamping two steel sections together, with the added convenience of adjustability for easier alignment in the field.

The Hollo-Bolt is a faster alternative to welding or through-bolting Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) or other steel members where access is restricted to one side. The expansion bolt is quickly installed by inserting into a pre-drilled hole and tightening with a torque wrench. The Hollo-Bolt is also ICC-ES approved and compliant with the IBC.

Malta Dynamics maltadynamics.com/steel-erection Malta Dynamics is a top-notch provider for safety and fall protection equipment, and we take safety for high-risk jobs very seriously. Count on us to make sure your steel erection crew stays safe at heights with our wide variety of full body harnesses, lanyards, self-retracting lifelines, anchors, PPE, and much more. Come visit our booth at the SEAA Trade Show on October 14, 2021, in Orlando, FL.

We're the only fall protection company out there who has crews in the field who wear our products daily and give us feedback. If it doesn't work for them, we know it won’t work for you so we've dedicated ourselves to listening to the men and women who actually rely on fall protection, and tailor our gear to be functional, durable, and a comfortable fit for all day wear.

We trust your opinion, so you can trust our products! Malta Dynamics - Field Tested, Field Approved.

Magni Telescopic Handlers magnith.com Magni Telescopic Handlers is looking forward to exhibiting our RTH 8.25 SH model of rotating telehandlers at SEAA's Annual Convention and Trade Show. Magni’s RTH 8.25 SH model provides superior lifting capacities and heights, with a maximum lift height of 81 feet and a lifting capacity of 17,600 lbs.

Offering 3 machines in 1, Magni gives you a telehandler, rough-terrain crane, and aerial work platform in one machine. The result is that you significantly reduce costs for logistics, operators, fuel, and service by minimizing the amount of equipment needed on a job site. Magni Rotating Telehandlers continuously rotate 360-degrees, allowing contractors to set steel faster with more precision. Contractors report that they work up to 50% faster with Magni telehandlers compared to traditional equipment.

One steel company won their largest project in the United States by bidding the job using 2 Magni Rotating Telehandlers instead of a crane and now do all their projects this way.

1-866-733-3272

28 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Details matter.

YL

Yield-Link® Software

Yield-Link® software from Simpson Strong-Tie makes it easier to streamline structural-steel detailing. Our SDS/2 and Tekla plugins are designed to work seamlessly with the software you’re already using.

And with our expert design support services always here to assist, your projects will run more smoothly than ever.

Visit go.strongtie.com/yieldlinksoftware or call (800) 999-5099.

© 2021 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. YLSP20-F

Miller Electric

National Institute of Steel Detailing

millerwelds.com/industries/construction Welding in the field presents many challenges that can decrease productivity and limit your ability to get quality work done on schedule and within budget. Miller Electric Mfg. LLC has flexible solutions for structural welding that save time and money and help you produce high-quality welds — while also improving operator safety. Trailblazer ® 325 welder/generators are ideal for field structural welding, delivering increased fuel efficiency, exceptional arc quality and improved productivity.

These engine drives are equipped with technologies that eliminate the need to walk back to the power source to make adjustments. With Wireless Interface Control on select Trailblazer 325 models, operators get full control of the machine in the palm of their hand. In addition, ArcReach ® technology allows operators to change parameters at their wire feeder or stick/TIG remote. See how Miller equipment and technologies can help you maximize productivity, optimize weld quality and save money in construction applications.

nisd.org NISD advocates for quality in steel detailing through member networking, education, and certification. Among the certifications it offers are Certificate of Development in BIM, Individual Detailer Certification, and Quality Procedures Certification Program. Additional resources include monthly webinars and newsletters.

Pewag Chain and Terrier Lifting Clamps pewagchain.com By combining Modulift's modular spreader beams and pewag's levo hook, the next generation in automated lifting, you provide the flexibility and automation needed to simplify your lift!

SEAA Craft Training & Connector Magazine seaa.net SEAA’s Ironworker Craft Training Program provides members with access to nationally recognized credentials. As an NCCER sponsor, SEAA members receive assistance with administrative

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requirements. Flexible programs, enable members to build NCCER curriculum modules to suit their needs.

In addition, Connector magazine and other newsletters are available at no charge to industry professionals.

Find out how to subscribe and learn about print and digital advertising packages designed for companies targeting structural and miscellaneous steel contractors.

Simpson Strong-Tie strongtie.com/yieldlink For more than 60 years, Simpson StrongTie has focused on creating structural products that help people build safer and stronger homes and buildings. Considered a leader in structural systems research, testing and innovation, Simpson Strong-Tie is one of the largest suppliers of structural building products in the world.

Our Yield-Link® moment connection is precision-made to meet the tough demands and increased loads of structural steel construction. From building owners to engineers, to contractors and fabricators, the Yield-Link's state-of-the-art design saves everyone time and money — while providing a connection that keeps structural steel buildings strong and safe.

Yield-Link saves fabrication and erection time and costs. It requires no onsite welding of moment connections and reduces welding inspection costs. It is accepted into AISC 358-16 and code listed in ICC-ES ESR-2802.

Other benefits include no delays for field welding and welding inspection of the moment connection, and all shop welds are fillet welds, providing a simple fabrication process.

Skyjack Inc skyjack.com Skyjack’s new 40ft and 60ft booms leverage SMARTORQUE™ technology and data-driven design to improve our customers’ ROI. These booms employ <25hp engines while delivering the same on-site performance.

Speak Easy Communication Solutions speakeasycommunication.solutions.com Construction teams rely on our revolutionary Actio PRO-C wireless radio system for clear, noise-cancelling

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Want to see Actio PRO-C in action? Check out a demo on our website.

Our technology sets a new standard for

heavy-industry workplaces, eliminating costly mistakes and safety concerns. Headsets can be fit to any helmet, no earmuff modification needed, plus the Actio PRO-C allows for cell phone connectivity.

Owner and founder, Alex Kundrat, is a certified arborist who knows the industry inside and out and has personally field-tested every product. While this cutting-edge digital technology pays for itself in reducing turnover, stress, and mistakes—we’ve also made our products competitive in price.

St. Louis Screw & Bolt slbolt.com St. Louis Screw & Bolt is one of the longest operating bolt manufacturers in the United States. SLSB specializes in structural hex and TC bolts grades A325/F1852 & A490/F2280.

Wurth Construction wurthindustry.com Würth Construction Services includes Weinstock Bros., Inc, Würth House of Threads, Würth Action Bolt, and Atlantic Fasteners, and offers more than 230 years of service to the construction industry. These companies have served the needs of the construction industry to build some of the nation’s most renowned high-rise buildings, skyscrapers and bridges, such as the new World Trade Center, Tappan Zee Bridge, Comcast Building, Goldman Sachs Building, Tower A at Hudson Yards, Goethals Bridge and many others.

We supply and manufacture structural fastener components, and provide inventory management, engineering support, kitting solutions, quality assurance, MRO and tooling, and PPE solutions for erectors, fabricators, contractors, and beyond.

In construction, an efficient supply chain is essential to ensuring a successful project. We understand this importance and provide customers with a solution that offers on-time delivery, reduces cost, minimizes delays, and delivers the right product to finish your job on time and under budget.

•

32 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

www.ironworkers.org

IRON WORKERS INTERNATIONAL SETS THE STANDARD HIGH WITH

The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the

ACCREDITED RIGGER & SIGNAL PERSON

has accredited the Iron Workers International Certification

WHYCERTIFICATION IS IT IMPORTANT?

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? MEET REQUIREMENTS OSHA’s Subpart CC requires signal person qualification by a third-party qualifier.

MEET DEMAND While an OSHA letter of interpretation recognizes apprenticeship programs that train and assess riggers and signal persons as third-party qualified evaluators, many contractors, states and municipalities require a Qualified Rigger and Signal Person Certification.

REDUCE COST Third party training and certification comes with a hefty price tag without input on testing from subject matter experts, ironworkers and their contractors.

Recertification can cost up to $500.

accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, Board’s (I.I.C.B.) Rigging & Signalperson Certification Program.

WHAT IS IT? Iron Workers International Certification Board’s (I.I.C.B.) Rigging & Signalperson Certification Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

The I.I.C.B. joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have obtained NCCA accreditation.

HOW IS IT DONE? 6,000 HOURS OF HANDS ON EXPERIENCE 3-PART EXAM TESTING & RECERTIFICATION EVERY 5 YEARS IRON WORKERS RIGGING & CRANE COURSE

IMPROVE SAFETY Ensuring that only trained, skilled and competent ironworkers complete rigging and signaling tasks, elevates workplace safety standards and reduces risk.

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2021 | 33

COVER STORY

By Tina Cauller

Revitalizing COMMUNITIES Award-worthy projects provide homes for the arts and history

Harbor Yard Amphitheater, Bridgeport, Conn.

Class III ($1 million to $2.5 million) Erector: United Steel, Inc. Fabricator and Detailer: Constructora Industrial Metalica CIMSA Architect: FTL Design Engineering Studio Structural Engineer: Fractal Structural Engineering GC: Dunn Lightweight Architecture Contract Value: $1.6 million Tons of Steel: 448

Buddy Holly Hall, Lubbock, Texas Class IV (over $2.5 million) Erector: Deem Structural Services, LLC Fabricator: Basden Steel Corporation Detailer: Foy Consulting & Engineering Architect and Structural Engineer: Parkhill, Smith & Cooper, Inc. GC: Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. Contract Value: $7.2 million Tons of Steel: 3,624

United Steel created a plot drawing to lay out the position of the six pre-assembled ring sections, the cranes, and two 120-foot boom lifts in the tight jobsite.

S

even steel erection companies were named as recipients in the annual Project of the Year awards by SEAA. Three of the projects were part of broader redevelopment plans in the local communities where they were built, and five of them house centers for cultural expression—including performing arts, sports, and a museum. (For info on Class I and Class II winners, see Summer 2021 issue, page 32.)

Several of these projects represent jobs with complex sequencing, requiring coordination of cranes. In addition, two of the projects involved multiple roles for the companies. Deem Structural Services delivered turnkey service, including taking lead on connection design. Cooper Steel was the fabricator and managed the steel erection.

■ Complex sequencing in a tight work space Conversion of a dilapidated ballpark into an amphitheater was part of a larger economic redevelopment plan for the south side of Bridgeport, Conn. United Steel Inc., Hartford, Conn., converted the dilapidated Bluefish Stadium 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

34 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

into a state-of-the-art boutique amphitheater.

The newly named Harbor Yard Amphitheater will house concerts, graduations, community events, and festivals.

The hallmark of the building is a 125 ft high tensile roof and unique 107 ft high pavilion entrance, which is complemented by a 25 ft oculus. This one-of-a-kind structure required extensive planning and coordination utilizing three cranes working in unison on a tight site to install a 135 ft diameter trussed ring

that supports a 60,000 lb. cable-supported center mast and several cable-supported “flying masts.” United Steel’s structural steel erecting crews installed the intricate roof, which features many components supported only by cable.

The United Steel team successfully addressed and overcame several challenges during construction of this project, an impressive performance that earned the SEAA Project of the Year Award for Class III. In addition to location constraints imposed by an existing baseball field, the project involved complex erection sequencing — 11 steps for the erection of the main columns and 22 steps for the erection of the ring structure of the roof.

Staging cranes To erect the ring structure, a 170-ton crane and a 120-ton crane had to be placed within the footprint of the ring, which was situated in the infield. During the preplanning phase, a plot drawing was developed to lay out the position of the six pre-assembled ring sections, the cranes, and two 120-foot boom lifts in the tight jobsite.

A third 330-ton crawler crane with 95 feet of boom and 203 feet of luffing jib was positioned outside the ring. First, all three sections of the 60,000-pound center mast had to be unloaded and pre-assembled inside the ring area. All bolts were torqued to optimum value and inspected by a third party. Once all three sections of the 75-foottall center mast were assembled on the ground, the center mast was rigged with six bottom cables and six top cables.

Field Operations Manager Steve Bean recalls, “We tipped the mast upright using a 330-ton crawler crane and a second 100-ton crane.

Then the mast was hoisted up over the ring so the six lower cables could be attached to the bottom of the ring and the six upper cables could be attached to the top of the ring. We attached six 1-1/8” cables to the top of the mast and six 1-5/8” cables to the bottom of the mast.

The mast was supported by the cables from the ring 50 feet off the ground. Top cables were ratchet-strapped to the mast to prevent them from swinging loose. The bottom cables were ratchet-strapped to themselves so they would not swing loose and bang into each other.

Once rigging was installed, the center mast was hoisted into locations off the ground with a ratchet winch hoist.”

location with the 330-ton crawler crane. Two pad eyes were welded to the existing stage columns before each of the six main columns were installed. Before releasing the columns from the crane, temporary cable bracing for the columns was installed and all main columns were surveyed for plumb.

According to Field Operations V.P. Glen Corneau, “We were excited to be a part of a project that is clearly visible from I-95 and has already enhanced the Bridgeport skyline.”

The newly named Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater promises to bring much needed economic development and vitality to the city’s South End. The venue is expected to host more than 20 concerts per season as well as graduation ceremonies, community events, and festivals. The Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater is a joint venture between the City of Bridgeport and Harbor Yard Amphitheater in association with Live Nation Entertainment.

A significant challenge of the Harbor Yard Amphitheater construction was the installation of the 135-foot diameter ring 80 feet in the air off columns with pin connections.

Ring installation and column erection A second significant challenge was the installation of the 135-foot diameter ring 80 feet in the air off columns with pin connections.

The six sections of the ring were assembled on the ground. These sections ranged from 85 feet to 75 feet in length and the weight of each section weighed range from 37,000 lbs to 27,000 lbs. Special cribbing was designed to stand up each section to be level and plumb.

The six main columns that supported the ring were 64 feet in length and only had a signal pin at the base and the connection at the top to the ring. Each column was connected to the base on a 20-foot-high concrete pier. United worked with Structural Workshop of Providence, R.I. to create temporary shoring columns with additional bracing that would not impede the hoisting of the pre-assembled ring sections.

To erect the main columns, United brought in two 120 ft boom lifts and placed them in location. All main column sections were carried into the work area with a 12,000 lb telescopic handler. The six columns were assembled using a 100-ton rough-terrain crane.

After eight shoring columns were unloaded and installed with the 100-ton RT crane, 7,000 lbs of concrete blocks were moved into Connector | FALL EDITION September 2021 | 35

Complicated sequencing, limited site space, monitoring major truss deflections, and bracing were among the challenges faced by Deem Structural Services on the construction of Buddy Holly Hall.

■ Turnkey steel service In 2013, the Lubbock Entertainment Performing Arts Association revealed their vision for a world-class performing arts center that was to be the cornerstone of downtown Lubbock’s revitalization efforts. In addition, the center is intended to honor the musical revolution sparked in the 1950s by the city’s most famous resident, Buddy Holly.

After the city council granted a parcel of land for the 120,000 sq ft center, the Lubbock Entertainment Performing Arts Association collaborated with other community partners to ensure financial sustainability.

The original vision blossomed into a massive $154 million, 220,000 sq ft facility with two theaters, event space, and a ballet academy. The main entrance showcases a 13-ton, four-story helical stair modeled after a funnel cloud in remembrance of the tornado that devastated the downtown area in May 1970, an architectural element that adds symbolic meaning to the space. On the south wall of the center, a 120-ft long sculptural installation depicts Buddy Holly playing a Fender Stratocaster using more than 9,000 pieces of cast aluminum-brushed bronze guitar picks to create a pixelated image of the legendary artist.

Deem Structural Services, LLC, Longview, Texas, earned Class IV Project of the Year honors from SEAA for their outstanding performance on this project. Complicated sequencing, limited site space, monitoring

major truss deflections, and bracing were among the challenges of the job. In addition, connection design was delegated to the steel team. Adding to the complexity was a project-within-a-project—the erection of the funnel cloud-shaped stair, comprised of double-axis HSS tubing, supported only by cantilevered steel at each floor level.

respective cranes, located on the east and west sides of the structure. This required total communication and close coordination between the Basden Steel team detailers, procurement, fabrication, and trucking departments to ensure the correct flow of drawing submittals, fabrication, and delivery.

19 sequences with site constraints

The end wall trusses for this project required a critical lift using two cranes. While it is typical for trusses to have camber that must be induced during assembly and then monitored as the dead loads accumulate, the T6 truss at the end wall of the large auditorium presented more of a challenge than usual. As well as supporting the typical load of its own weight, roof steel, deck, etc., this truss also supported 46 tons of end wall girt framing and approximately half of the 140 tons of the second floor and roof of the lobby entrance. The lobby steel cantilevered off one column line (line 1e) in both the outward and inbound direction, creating a “teeter” effect as the loads increased.

The challenge was to ensure that the lobby floor and roof as well as the end wall girt framing remained at the correct elevation as metal panel cladding, louvre and window framing installation progressed. The solution was to install shoring under the inbound and outbound lobby steel until all dead loads from steel and deck were applied.

The large auditorium, which was built first utilizing two luffer cranes positioned on either side of the building, was surrounded by low roof structures that would eventually encompass the entire project site. Deem Structural Services erected engineered temporary bracing to supplement the main portion of the bracing and enable work to proceed outside the footprint of the low roof.

The foundation and civil work could not commence fully until the large auditorium erection was complete and the cranes were out of the way. Further complicating things was the 70 ft tall site cast tilt wall panels that were on the perimeter of the small auditorium located on the west side of the structure. As the erection of the large auditorium moved north and foundation work began, laydown and storage area became progressively more limited.

The project was divided into 19 sequences, with the large auditorium divided further into subsequences to accommodate delivery to the

36 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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The end wall trusses for this project required a critical lift using two cranes. As well as supporting typical loads, the T6 truss also supported 46 tons of end wall girt framing and approximately half of the 140 tons of the second floor and roof of the lobby entrance.

Steel team leads connection design Consistent with recent trends in the industry, the connection design was delegated to the steel team. This proved to be a benefit by allowing different options to facilitate preferred methods of both fabrication and erection and the ability to create “erection-friendly” connections.

However, establishing a framework of shared understanding with the design team was essential and remained an important focus throughout the project. When information such as preset elevations at raker beams were needed from the design team, Deem’s commitment to straightforward, open communication with the Engineer of Record

regarding design criteria and the associated requirements outlined in the AISC Code of Standard Practice helped ensure a successful project outcome.

Utilizing a turnkey steel service approach proved beneficial for this job, enabling the steel team to explore various options to add productivity and safety value. The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and Sciences stands as a tribute to the performer’s legacy and will be a cultural hub and first-class music venue for many generations to come.

Museum and Performance Center receive Honorable Mention Two entries, one each for Class III and Class IV, were additionally recognized by SEAA with Honorable Mention—CAS Steel Erectors, Inc., Hendersonville, N.C., for the International African American Museum Project in Charleston, S.C. and Cooper Steel, Shelbyville, Tenn., for Nashville’s Belmont University Performing Arts Center.

International African American Museum, Charleston, S.C. Class III Honorable Mention Erector: CAS Steel Erectors, Inc. Fabricator & Detailer: Lyndon Steel Company, LP Architect: Moody Nolan, Inc. Structural Engineer: Guy Nordenson and Associates GC: Turner-Brownstone Contract Value: $1.5 million Tons of Steel: 1,033

■ Hazard zone construction When the City of Charleston set out to build a museum at Gadsden’s Wharf, the site where enslaved Africans first landed in America, project planners had to mitigate a variety of natural hazards. The state of South Carolina is subject to hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding, so for this new 41,760 sq ft elevated building, planners designed a seismic load resistant (SLR) system to withstand any potentially destructive events.

The SLR system incorporated connections with hundreds of inches of field welding, 220 standard moment connections, and 110 rigid frame moment weld connections. Box columns were fabricated from steel plate up to 2” thick since HSS columns would not withstand the anticipated forces and loads. Some of the SLR welds required welders qualified in AWS 1.8 Annex C. CAS Steel erected structural steel and decking and built a temporary canopy where beams cantilevered out toward the waterfront over the boardwalk. They also erected scaffolding to temporarily shore cantilevered beams and hold elevations at the building perimeter until moment welds were completed.

38 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

While working under restrictive Covid-19 protocols, CAS Steel met the challenges of tight space constraints, an aggressive schedule, and a complicated design with numerous moment and seismic welds, including some up to 2-1/4" thick that had to be pre-heated in gusting waterfront winds. Maintaining critical tolerances on cantilevered beams and contending with a newly designed zero tolerance brick relief system posed an additional layer of complexity.

Rick Philips, V.P. at CAS Steel Erectors, credits the close collaboration with fabricator Lyndon Steel Company and Turner Brownstone for the project’s success.

CAS Steel executed hundreds of inches of field welding, 220 standard moment connections, and 110 rigid frame moment weld connections in the Seismic Load Resistant (SLR) system required for building the International African American Museum.

■ Precision and sequencing The new Belmont University Performing Arts Center in Nashville houses a multi-purpose 1,700-seat theater with two event spaces. Cooper Steel served as the fabricator and managed the erection on the project, which was performed by fellow SEAA member Sentry Steel Service.

In all, 14 trusses were erected. They weighed up to 21.5 tons and measured 91 ft. With minimal laydown area available, the trusses were erected directly off the trailer and delivery times had to be carefully coordinated. To speed up the process, Cooper Steel pre-fabricated large pieces of steel off site.

In addition, the dome—consisting of 400 individual pieces with an accuracy tolerance of 0.5 in—required specific angles, sizing, and erection sequences. The dome’s location above the auditorium limited access, so R.C. Mathews erected a 50 ft platform to access the complex multilevel dome framing. Maintaining the incredibly tight installation tolerances throughout the duration of the project allowed finish trades to keep their established benchmarks with minimal modification to their scope.

This build created exceptional challenges of precision and sequence as each area was continBelmont Performing Arts Center, Nashville, Tenn. gent on another. Months of planning ensured that the dome ceiling, arch entryways, stage house, and heavy trusses for backstage and rigging would be structurally sound while also delivering an elegant, breathtaking aesthetic.

Class IV Honorable Mention Erector: Sentry Steel Service Co., Inc., managed by Cooper Steel Inc. Fabricator: Cooper Steel, Inc. Detailer: Structural Detailing, LLC Architect: Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. Structural Engineer: Ross Bryan Associates, Inc. GC: R.C. Mathews Contract Value: $5.2 million Tons of Steel: 1,282

•

More photos in Photo Gallery at

seaa.net

Sentry Steel Service erected 14 trusses that weighed up to 21.5 tons and measured 91 ft.

With minimal laydown area available, the trusses were erected directly off the trailer. To speed up the process, Cooper Steel pre-fabricated large pieces of steel off site.

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2021 | 39

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

By Julia Kunlo

4 Steps to Take after an OSHA Citation

O

SHA conducts around 32,000 inspections a year.

For companies who are involved in an inspection and receive fines/citations, most are surprised by the hazards discovered and unsure of next steps to take. While avenues exist to contest findings, lower penalties, and delete citations, there are very specific steps to take and deadlines to hit in order for these options to remain available.

Are you prepared to respond to an OSHA citation?

Proper response to an OSHA citation requires knowledge, manpower, and decisiveness. This four-step process will help you remain compliant, protect your business, and minimize costs and fines.

1. CORRECT the hazard Create an action plan and take steps to correct hazards as quickly and thoroughly as possible. Be sure to document every step you take (including emails, training records, relevant purchases, policy updates, etc.) so they may be presented later as evidence of safety efforts. Appropriately correcting hazards within 24 hours may help your company to qualify for OSHA’s “quick fix” 15% reduction of penalties during the informal conference process.

If your company does not have a safety manager, consider reaching out to a safety expert who can guide the process.

These experts will have templates, training material, vendor recommendations, and techniques that will ultimately save you time and money.

2. POST the citation Post the citation (or a copy of it) near the place where the violation occurred as directed by OSHA. The goal of this step is to ensure employees are aware of the hazard they may be exposed to. The violation must stay posted for three working days OR until the violation is abated, whichever is longer. Even if you choose to contest the violation, you must post it. Failure to post the citation can result in fines up to $13,653 per violation.

Julia Kunlo, MSOSH, CSP, is vice president of Evolution Safety Resources.

She works with clients to develop custom safety strategies. She can be reached at j.kunlo@evolutionsafetyresources.com.

40 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

3. REQUEST an informal conference As quickly as possible (and at least within 15 working days of receiving a citation), request an informal conference to review the hazards discovered. While this step isn’t mandatory, it is highly recommended. Benefits of an informal conference may include penalty reduction, extension of abatement dates, deletion of citations, and more. Willful violations (which have penalties as high as $136,532) are 10x more expensive than Serious violations; getting a citation reclassified can save your company considerably.

Additional ways to fight for penalty reductions include citing a good safety record, requesting an adjustment based upon the size of your company, proving a “good-faith” effort towards safe work practices, and more. Consider requesting help from a lawyer or safety expert during this negotiation process if you are unsure of how to present your best case.

4. DECIDE: Agree or Contest?

If you agree to the citation, pay the proposed penalty and correct the condition by the date mandated in your citation.

You must submit an Abatement Certification letter to the OSHA officer to document this hazard correction. If it is later discovered that you did not abate the hazard appropriately, you may receive an additional failure-to-abate violation (which comes with fines up to $13,653 per day).

If you disagree with the citation, you must contest it in writing to OSHA within 15 working days from the day you receive the citation (this letter is called a “Notice of Intent to Contest”). If you do not contest within this window, your citation will become a final order not subject to review by any court or agency. Once properly filed, the Notice of Intent to Contest suspends your legal obligation to pay penalties and make abatement efforts until the item contested has been resolved.

When faced with an OSHA citation, it is important that employers understand their rights and responsibilities. It is vital to act quickly, take steps to correct the hazard immediately, move forward decisively, and process paperwork in a timely manner during the 15-day working window after a citation is received. Missteps during this timeframe often result in higher fines and additional citations.

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TOPPING OUT Steel Decking Industry Reflects on the Influence of Harry Haytayan, Sr.

H

arry Haytayan, Sr., P.E., (July 19, 1929—May 13, 2021), was the founder of Pneutek, Inc. The pneumatic fastening tools and methods Haytayan invented have helped make mechanical fastenings for attaching steel deck the leading process in the industry. Upon his death, he had accumulated more than 45 patents for his designs.

“Harry was a real innovator,” said Geoff Kress, President of Gardner-Watson Decking, Oldsmar, Fla. The original Air/Safe Fastening System introduced in 1977 was revolutionary. At the time, welding was the only option for attaching steel roof or floor deck. “Things really changed for the market in 1995 when the ½” headed pin was designed,” recalls Kress. A problem-solver at heart, Haytayan enjoyed the challenge of finding a solution to a difficult application. Read the full tribute to Haytayan, Sr. at seaa.net/news.

Powered Access Equipment Accidents In the latest Global Safety Report from International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), there were 736 reported incidents of powered access machines in the period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020, which involved 768 people. The chart represents incidents by type and class. To read the full report, takes a deeper dive into the common types of accidents with mobile elevating work platforms, visit the Resource Library at ipaf.org.

By Incident Type/Classification

Fatality

Major Injury

Minor Injury

Meet New Members Check out the Member Directory at SEAA.net

BBSI, Vancouver, Wash., provides human resources services to small and medium sized businesses.

Flex-Erect, Houston Texas, is a structural steel, miscellaneous metals, and ornamental/architectural iron erector.

HP Stud & Steel Welding LLC, Manchester, Tenn., is a steel erection company.

Mesa Fab Shop, Pueblo, Colo., provides steel fabrication services to Southern Colorado.

RBD-Hale, Alexander, Ark., is a steel erection and fabrication company.

Skyline Decking Corp., Tampa, Fla., installs metal decking services in the state of Florida.

Speak Easy Communication Solutions, Cleveland, Ohio, supplies noise cancelling communication solutions, such as wireless radio system for clear communication on the worksite.

Stokes Welding & Structural Steel Inc., Zebulon, N.C., is a steel erection company.

Stubbs Engineering, Las Cruces, N.M., is a full-service structural engineering firm. * Contact: Crushing, trapping, pinching. Contact: RTA vehicle accident, Electrical: Fire/explosion, Machine: Transport Stability: Ground condition instability, Personal: Using hand tools, Contact: Bump - person walks into object/machine

UP NEXT

Woodward Steel Group, New Orleans, La., is an AISC certified erector with dedicated design, engineering, steel, millwork and service divisions.

Safety & Training Award Winner Profiles Solutions to Limited Laydown Areas Annual Member Directory

42 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Winter Edition: December 2021 Ad Deadline: November 19, 2021 ConnectorSales@seaa.net

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