SC&RA speaks up at ConExpo

A notable list of members of the Specialized Carriers and Rigging Association are scheduled to speak at the ConExpo 2014 construction equipment show in Las Vegas, USA, from 4 to 8 March. In addition to the extensive displays of equipment the event is also a destination for many educational sessions. SC&RA proudly announced that among these esteemed speakers are nearly a dozen members of the association.

On Tuesday 4 March from 08.30 to 09.30 Bo Collier at Crane Tech will kick off opening day with his Reliability for Effective Training session. Collier will delve into the behind-the-scenes work of developing policies, procedures and methods necessary to ensure that information provides a positive change for those who require training. Later on in the day, both Peter Juhren of Morrow Equipment, and Charlie Kimmel of Kimmel & Associates, will highlight the 15.00 to 16.00 slot. Juhren’s presentation, What’s New in Tower Crane Standards, explores the key points of the ASME B30.3 Tower Cranes and ASME B30.29 Mobile Self Erecting Tower Cranes standards. Kimmel presents an opportunity to analyse trends in construction – past, present and future – and gain insight on how companies and individuals can take advantage of these trends to provide exemplary service in his session: A Unique Perspective – Staff Retention in Construction Employment.

Wednesday’s lineup includes a notable roster of SC&RA members. Bob Berry (Sims Crane and Equipment) and Billy Smith (NBIS) kick it off from 10.00 to 11.30 with their presentation: Cranes – A Walk Through Time – Technology and Regulatory. Berry and Smith emphasise the value in learning how to read and understand the crane industry regulations from both a regulatory perspective and a safety standard perspective. Roger “Skip” Ohman, of The Crosby Group, follows up from 13.00 to 14.30 with his Mobile Crane Blocks and Calculation of Sling Loads session. Ohman delivers a detailed examination on understanding the mobile crane block system – from the load hook through the side plates, sheaves and bearings to the dead end. He also underlines the effects of sling angle on slings and hardware on sling tension, and how to calculate sling tension using trigonometry.

Also presenting in the 13.00 to 14.30 slot on Wednesday is Paul Satti, of the Construction Safety Council. In his Safety of Equipment Around Power Lines presentation, Satti will explore the new SC&RA training materials for safe work practices when using cranes around power lines, and allow audience members to take away the knowledge, resources and tools to implement a mobile crane management system for power line safety on the job site.

Capping off Wednesday’s run is Robert Moore (NBIS) in the 15.00 to 16.00 spot. Moore will discuss the Top 10 Losses in Crane & Rigging and show attendees how to prepare their companies to avoid unnecessary losses. He identifies the ten most common losses and what plans need to be in place to protect a company and its financial health.

Thursday sees two more members present – one before and one after lunch. Douglas Ball, from SC&RA, will operate the breakfast slot with his 08.30 to 09.30 session: The Effective Movement of Oversize/Overweight Equipment. Ball explains how positive changes to uniformity for effective and efficient movement of over-dimensional cargo can be achieved and how companies can impact these changes to help balance operations, compliance and enforcement. The after lunch spot will be Joe Collins, at Becht Engineering, presenting The Mechanics of a “Super Lift” session from 13.00 to 14.30.

Bookending this impressive assortment of members presenting throughout the week will be Friday’s pre-lunch duo of William “Hank” Dutton (Travelers Insurance) and Jim Wiethorn (Haag Engineering). Dutton will command the 08.30 to 09.30 position by exploring the new OSHA Crane rules, certification programmes and ASME standard for best practices in safe lifting with his presentation: So You Think You’re a Lift Director? Manning the 10.00 to 11.30 slot with his An Examination of Crane Incidents session, Wiethorn will review the results of a comprehensive study of crane accidents, explore the root causes in unprecedented detail and explain how these findings can be used to address problematic areas so that future risks can be reduced.

During ConExpo, attendees are encouraged to stop by the SC&RA booth (#20032) for the latest information and news on everything important to the industry and association members. Available at the booth will be the Oversize/Overweight Permit Manual, which features information for all 50 US states and Canadian provinces.

In addition, the popular Power Line Safety Video will be playing for visitors (remember – Paul Satti will be highlighting this product in his presentation on Wednesday from 13.00 to 14.30). SC&RA developed and produced the video, and companion booklet Operating Cranes Around Power Lines, in early 2013 in response to the growing number of reported fatalities in the industry involving power lines. The video provides a visual demonstration of safe operating procedures, in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) standard for mobile cranes operating near and around power lines, to be used during training and the planning process.

The SC&RA booth is an opportunity to participate in the Member-Get-A-Member programme to help strengthen the Association.