Connector - Fall 2018 issue

FALL EDITION 2018

COMMON SENSE

Collaboration Award Winning Arena Job Recognized for

16 Tools for Improving Workflow 22 Drones in Steel Construction 36 Effective Meetings: Your Company's Secret Weapon

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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c ntents

FALL EDITION September 2018

FEATURES Management

16

Not so “Gee Whiz” Tech in Steel Erection Behind the scenes, tools for improving workflow still reign supreme

By Tracy Bennett

In the Field

22

Flying Beyond Aerial Surveillance Ideas for using drones in steel construction applications

By Lucy Perry

28 Cover Story Common Sense and Collaboration

By Tina Cauller

On the Cover: J.P. Cullen applied thoughtful communication and hazard mitigation procedures during steel erection for the Milwaukee Bucks Arena in Milwaukee, Wis. Cover Photo Credit: Chris Wawro, Aero-Fotografik, LLC Contents and Article Photo Credit: J.P. Cullen

seaa.net

DEPARTMENTS

ONLINE HIGHLIGHTS QQSEAA Endorses Policies to Restore Workforce Development QQANSI Releases New Standard to Prevent Dropped Objects QQMarketing Tips for Contractors

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8 10 12 36 38

Perspective Association News Product Focus Business Operations Topping Out Connector received Superstar Award from Construction Marketing Association.

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) is dedicated to advancing the common interests and needs of all engaged in building with steel. The Association’s objectives in achieving this goal include the promotion of safety, education and training programs for steel erector trades, development and promotion of standards and cooperation with others in activities which impact the commercial construction business.

The Center For Coastal & Deltaic Solutions, Baton Rouge, LA

VULCRAFT WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE WINNERS OF THE

2018 NuHEIGHTS DESIGN AWARDS.

1144 Fifteenth, Denver, Co

Hale Center Theatre, Orem, UT

Sacred Heart Cathedral, Knoxville, TN

Sheldon Chalet, Denali National Park, AK

Ensworth Tennis Center, Nashville, TN

Proud Bird Restaurant, Los Angeles, CA

These award-winning projects represent buildings in 9 categories ranging from education to retail.

The NuHeights Design Awards competition offers a compelling outlet for inspiring new designs and illustrating the many ways Vulcraft can meet varying construction needs, regardless of size or complexity.

Vulcraft works with architects, fabricators, erectors and general contractors to transform ideas into reality and expand joist and decking construction.

Better Partners. Better Products.

Better Outcomes.

www.vulcraft.com

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 5 Exeter-Lemont Buildings 1 & 2, Lemont, IL

501 H Street, Washington, DC

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 David Schulz, President Josh Cilley, Immediate Past President Carrie Sopuch-Gulajan, VP, Associate Representative Geoff Kress, VP, Industry Representative Greg Phillips, Treasurer Chris Legnon, Secretary and Media Committee Chairman Tom Underhill, Executive Director PUBLISHING PARTNER Chris Harrison, Publisher connectorsales@seaa.net Phone 660-287-7660 Tracy Bennett, Managing Editor editor@seaa.net Phone 816-536-7903 Eileen Kwiatkowski, Art Director eileen@ekaygraphics.com MEDIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Chris Legnon, Fabricators, Cooper Steel Jim Simonson, Fabricators, Steel Service Josh Cilley, Erectors, American Steel & Precast Erectors and Buckner Steel Erection Glen Pisani, Erectors, MAS Building & Bridge Ben Wein, Erectors, SSW Erectors Bryan McClure, Safety, MSC Safety Solutions Connector™ is published quarterly by the Steel Erectors Association of America, 401 E. 4th Street, #204, Winston-Salem, NC 27101-4171

Join by calling the SEAA office 336-294-8880 or visit www.seaa.net Discover why a SEAA Membership is a good investment for your business.

6 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Copyright 2018 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.

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PERSPECTIVE

By Tom Underhill

A Common Voice for Training and Education

A

s a national trade association, SEAA regularly engages with other associations, regulatory groups, and curriculum developers to represent the interests of our members. Collaboration and an open dialog strengthens our industry by providing access to additional resources, subject matter experts, and gives us a common voice.

SEAA has had a long relationship with NCCER. We worked closely to develop the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Curriculum, which is the foundation for our Craft Training Program. But more than that, we support NCCER’s mission to build a safe, productive ad sustainable workforce. Recently, SEAA was asked by NCCER to publicly support policy recommendations for the restoration of America’s workforce development system. The policy

SEAA is committed to investing in industry-specific curriculum. Our board of directors has approved a project to create micro-learning videos to accompany specific modules in the SEAA/ NCCER Ironworker training materials. recommendations are based on several years of research.

A key reason SEAA supports this document is that it’s not just another report bemoaning the labor shortage crisis.

Instead, it offers specific solutions, three of which can be implemented in the short term.

As I write this, it was just announced that HR2353, the bill that reauthorizes the 2006 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, was signed into law. The new law represents important federal investment in Career and Technical Education. It’s a critical step, but we must continue to inform policy makers about the dire need for strong workforce development policies.

As RT 335 states, students who attend CTE programs have higher GPAs, higher rates of on-time graduation, and greater success in college prep mathematics. In addition, Tom Underhill is the Executive Director of the Steel Erectors Association of America. Contact him at tomunderhill@seaa.net.

8 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

CTE students are more likely to develop problem solving, employability, and critical thinking skills than students who don’t participate in career and tech ed. Furthermore, only 33% of jobs even require a college degree.

Download a copy of RT 335 “Restoring the Dignity of Work” at seaa.net/news. We encourage you to join the effort by sharing the report with your local, state, and federal legislators.

Meanwhile, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, which represents the major construction equipment providers, has begun a series of webinars focusing on best practices for employers striving to improve their workforce development practices. The first webinar, held in August, focused on ideas for building connections in your local community and with students K-12. SEAA hopes to provide insight to AEM on its DOL-approved Ironworker Apprenticeship and share case studies of members who are successfully utilizing this tool during a future webinar. The webinars are free. Find them at aem.org/events/ conferences-and-seminars.

SEAA is committed to investing in industry-specific curriculum. Our board of directors approved in July a project to create micro-learning videos to accompany specific modules in the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker training materials. Designed to complement more in-depth content, these short videos will help teach specific skills more quickly, in an easier to digest format.

The Steel Joist Institute (SJI), one of the organizations with which we collaborate, has offered to assist when the times comes on a video related to steel joist erection.

Likewise, a committee made of members from SEAA and the National Institute of Steel Detailing (NISD), are working on updating the Detailing Guide for Erectors, to re-release in 2019.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I failed to mention American Institute of Steel Construction. We were honored to have Charlie Carter, President of AISC, speak at our 2018 Convention. AISC works hard at educating project decision makers, architects and engineers about the benefits of steel construction. They keep tabs on the effects of the broader issues, including the impact of tariffs. Each of these organizations has its areas of expertise, and by working together we leverage tremendous resources for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

•

ASSOCIATION NEWS

■■Ironworker Craft Training Program

Expands to 18 Units

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES SEAA 4th Quarter Board Meeting Oct. 18, 2018 Embassy Suites RaleighCrabtree, Raleigh, N.C. Meet & Greet Reception 6 pm

19th Annual Golf Tournament Oct. 19, 2018 Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Raleigh, N.C. Register at SEAA.net/events

SEAA 1st Quarter Board Meeting Jan. 31, 2019 NCCER Headquarters, Alachua, Fla.

2019 NASCC: The Steel Conference St. Louis, Mo. April 3-5, 2019

47th Annual Convention & Trade Show April 24-26, 2019 Embassy Suites Charlotte Concord, Charlotte, N.C.

T

hree additional companies have joined the nationwide network of SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training Units and Assessment Sites, bringing the total to 18 providers.

Building Envelope Systems, Plainville, Mass., providing structural steel, miscellaneous metal, and metal panel construction services, completed its audit in May 2018.

The company plans to use the Ironworker curriculum with current project managers, assistant project managers, and field staff. “We are a growing company with a lot of ambitious young talent that we desire to grow into industry Employees from Building Envelope Systems began training in September. leaders in their respective specialties,” said Fermin Goitia, Project Executive. “We also have seasoned employees that will benefit from refresher training.”

Two other companies scheduled to complete audits by the fourth quarter of 2018 are Deem Structural Services, Longview, Texas, and CSE Inc., Madison Heights, Va. Deem Structural Services, an AISC Advanced Certified Steel Erector, provides structural steel services in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. “The availability of skilled workers is currently the biggest challenge we face as an industry and is only going to get worse as the current workforce continues to age,” said David Deem, President. “We believe the training program will not only improve the skill level of our current workforce but will help in the recruitment of new employees by providing a clear, defined pathway for career development.”

CSE Inc., a SEAA member since 1994, was selected to receive the 2018 SEAA Craft Training Grant. Designated for member companies who are newly implementing SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Training and Assessment programs, the grant covers initial setup, training for administrators, instructors, and coordinators, and custom training materials for Ironworker Levels 1-3 or similar curriculum.

“CSE jumped into the SEAA/NCCER program by partnering with Buckner Companies and Schulz Iron Works to utilize existing resources, while working with Adaptive Construction Solutions for assistance with training on-boarding. This is exactly what SEAA’s craft training program was designed to do—create a network of SEAA members willing to collaborate and share resources in order to expand the availability of a trained and qualified workforce,” said Tim Eldridge, President of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA’s Craft Training and Assessment Coordinator.

■■SEAA Endorses Policies to Restore America’s Workforce

Development System

SEAA has joined other industry stakeholders in publicly supporting seven policy recommendations to make the United States the world leader in workforce development.

RT 335, issued this month, tackles the topic: “Restoring the Dignity of Work: Transforming the U.S. Workforce Development System into a World Leader.” This advocacy document is meant to educate local, state, and federal legislators on why reforming our workforce system is critical. It outlines seven policies that can be implemented in less than three years that will positively impact workforce development.

The policies are based on three years of analysis of more than two million data points, more than 21 separate data sources, and 45 site visits of workforce development stakeholders across North America and Europe. Research was funded by NCCER, Construction Users Roundtable, Ironworkers/IMPACT, and Construction Industry Institute.

10 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

■■New Officers Take Helm of

SEAA Board of Directors

“SEAA fully supports craft training and apprenticeship. However, many organizations working independently to provide these opportunities will see much greater success if our nation’s education and labor policies are in alignment with these initiatives. The Steel Erectors Association of America is pleased to join with other industry stakeholders in endorsing RT 335,” said Tom Underhill, Executive Director of SEAA. The seven policies are: 1. Establish and strengthen the awareness of career opportunities in our nation.

2. Revitalize our work-based learning programs.

3. Measure performance and involvement in workforce development when awarding construction contracts.

4. Redefine how we measure the quality of our nation’s secondary education system.

5. Increase participation of underrepresented groups in career and technical education by career and college readiness.

6. Establish and expand collaboration between industry, education, and government.

7. Develop more balanced funding among post-secondary career and technical education and higher education.

SEAA encourages steel erection contractors to download a copy of Restoring the Dignity of Work and share it with your federal, state, and local elected officials.

Four new officers were elected to the Steel Erectors Association of America’s Board of Directors during the July Board Meeting held in Orlando, Fla. The meeting was led by incoming President Dave Schulz, who took office last April during the 46th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Greensboro, N.C. In addition to Schulz, newly elected officers, serving two-year terms from 2018-2020 are: • Geoff Kress, Vice President, Industry Member, representing Gardner-Watson Decking, • Carrie Gulajan, Vice President, Associate Member, representing Construction Insurance Agency, • Greg Phillips, Treasurer, representing Titan Steel Erectors, and • Chris Legnon, Secretary, representing Cooper Steel.

Officers from left to right: Chris Legnon, Greg Phillips, Carrie Gulajan, President Dave Schulz, Geoff Kress

•

DO MORE WITH JUST ONE DRILL The HMD2MT is the all new #2 Morse Taper mag drill built for the fabricator who wants one machine to cover it all. With forward & reverse, high torque two speed motor, 7" stroke, safety features, pilot light & a variety of accessories including the all new tapping kit. You’ll do more with less and love it!

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PRODUCT FOCUS

■■Fume extractor,

welder, and helmet from Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric has launched three new products over the last several months—a welding fume extractor, a welding machine, and a helmet.

A self-cleaning welding fume extraction and filtraLincoln Mobileflex 400 MS tion system, the Mobiflex 400-MS extends filter life and reduces maintenance for users. The system provides light- to medium-duty welding fume extraction in variable locations. The Mobiflex 400-MS base unit includes a plastic housing, 2-foot flexible hose, and choice of MERV 14 or MERV 16-rated filter. A 10-ft. or 13-ft. extraction arm, with or without the factory-installed arc sensor/lamp kit, or a hose/hood set is required to complete the system.

The POWER MIG 260 welding machine for MIG and Flux-Cored welding is for light fabrication, maintenance, and repair work. ArcFX technology provides instant graphical feedback on the user interface, illustrating how Wire Feed Speed and Voltage affect the weld outcome. The memory capability enables users to load and save weld settings, while its adjustable features allow for a customized welding session.

The VIKING 3350 Series helmet, named Born To Weld, includes one-of-akind artwork and 4C lens technology which eliminates blur, distortion, and eye strain by reducing color saturation in the liquid crystal display (LCD).

■■Tekla Now Imports Into Steel Estimating

Solutions

Steel Estimating Solutions announced that Tekla Structures now imports into the Steel Erection Bid Wizard. Tekla Structures has made it possible for users to capture all structural and miscellaneous items in a model; generate a report that will import into the Steel Erection Bid Wizard; and give the user an erection price in a matter of minutes. It also offers the user the ability to customize to the task in both Bid Wizard and the Tekla model. Users will now know immediately how changes to structure affects erection cost.

12 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The operator of this HMD918 magnetic drill from Hougen Manufacturing Inc. is drilling a hole through a solid piece of 6” thick steel in a single pass. The drill, equipped with a pressurized coolant system, used a 2” diameter x 6” depth carbide-tipped annular cutter to make the hole.

The magnetic drill works on structural steel on the jobsite or in a shop, combining the versatility of a drill press with a strong electromagnetic base to adhere to a carbon steel surface. It has a two-speed gear box offering 250 and 450 rpm; and a pilot light for low-light conditions.

■■Simpson Strong-Tie Introduces Steel Header

Hanger

Simpson Strong-Tie has developed a steel header hanger to support cold-formed steel framing box headers and large-flange lay-in headers in curtain-wall construction. The new SHH steel header hanger is engineered to reduce drywall buildup, and screw count has been minimized. It has a coped gusset to avoid the bottom track header legs. Testing has enabled a wide array of hole patterns to accommodate different load levels, minimize installation costs, and reduce screw count.

The SHH6 is manufactured in steel thicknesses of 54 mil (16 ga.) and 68 mil (14 SHH steel header hanger ga.) and is intended for use with 6" minimum box headers. The SHH3, manufactured from 68 mil (14 ga.) steel, is intended for 3 5/8" or 4" maximum box headers and large-flange lay-in headers. Screw-hole layouts at the jamb studs accommodate flange sizes of 1 5/8", 2", 2 1/2", 3" and 3 1/2" in addition to built-up jamb configurations.

■■JLG Now Offers BIM Library JLG has integrated a building information modeling (BIM) library onto its website www.jlg.com. The model-based process gives architecture and construction professionals the insight and tools to plan, design, construct and manage buildings and infrastructure.

JLG’s BIM library features a complete set of 3D BIM-compatible models from JLG. JLG 1644 Telehandler

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 13

■■Cloud Hosting Available from SDS/2

■■Hougen Has New Drill and Lube Products

SDS/2 Edge provides cloud hosting of a user’s desktop and more, simplifying model sharing. Edge gives users access to the latest data in the office, in the field, or at home. Multiple employees can work in the same model at the same time, with real-time changes keeping the model accurate and up to the second. Externally, project partners using SDS/2 Edge can connect to the model and view live data and project status information. SDS/2 can also set up a project using the job repository, allowing collaboration on the same job file between multiple partners and creating a wide area network for the project.

Hougen Manufacturing Inc. has released a new portable magnetic drill, the HMD2MT, which features a #2 Morse Taper arbor system, which can accept standard #2 Morse Taper accessories. Now the drill can use Hougen’s tapping adapter, reamers, twist drills, and chuck adapter. The drill also includes an adapter to use Hougen annular cutters up to a 2-inch depth. A double dovetail slide allows adjustment of the motor assembly to give the drill a 7-inch stroke. Powered by a two-speed motor with a forward/reverse option, the HMD2MT comes standard with a pilot HMD2MT Portable light for work in low Magnetic Drill light conditions. A two-stage magnet increases magnetic holding power by 30%.

Hougen has also introduced the RotaGel Cutting Lube, an industrial lubricant that provides protection to the cutting tool even in hard, high-torque machining applications.

RotaGel is environmentally safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Its consistency helps it adhere to the tool its blue color allows the operator to see that it applied correctly. Benefits are increased tool life and improved hole and surface finishes.

■■ Crosby Releases Long Bolt

Hoist Rings

This year, Crosby introduced a series of Long Bolt hoist rings featuring over 600 sizes in frames 1 through 5. Each product is custom cut to specification and individually bagged with a nut and washer. Hoist rings have working load limits (WLL) ranging from 800 to 30,000 lbs. and a design factor of 5 to 1. All Long Bolt Hoist Rings are individually proof tested to 2½ times their LBHR-125 UNC WLL; their specification is an Swivel Hoist Ring alloy socket head cap screw to ASTM A 574; all threads are UNC; frame sizes 2 and larger are RFID-equipped; WLL and recommended torque value are permanently stamped onto the top washer and color coded for easy identification.

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14 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 15

MANAGEMENT

By Tracy Bennett

Not so “Gee Whiz” Tech in Steel Erection Behind the scenes, tools for improving workflow still reign supreme Bluebeam Revu

B

alfour Beatty predicts: “By 2050 construction sites will be mainly populated by robots working in teams using ‘dynamic new materials’, with many components self-assembling. The only humans working there will be wearing ‘robotically enhanced exoskeletons’ controlling machinery…”

Emerging tech, such as drones, 3D imagery and 3D printers, virtual and augmented reality, simulators, etc., get the splashiest headlines. However, until drones carry I-beams and robots walk the iron and weld and bolt it in place, structural steel erection contractors are benefitting in other ways from the application of new technologies.

Tools to simplify workflow and business processes are likely having the biggest impact on the way steel erection contractors do business. This is important because the industry has experienced very little productivity growth, while simultaneously facing severe qualified labor shortages. According to a 2017 report, “The impact of emerging technologies on the construction industry,” by DeltaHedron, three areas are driving change.: digitalization, automation, and new materials. “Technological innovation is important, but it should be blended with other types of innovation such as business model and organizational innovation to achieve ultimate business success,” reports DeltaHedron.

In that vein, a 2018 survey by SoftwareConnect.com found that the tools construction professionals are focused on seeking are those that help with project tracking (73 percent),

job costing (72 percent), and project estimating (66 percent). Those findings are echoed by members of the Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA).

Project Tracking Building Information Modeling (BIM) is nothing new. But being able to utilize these tools in real-time is improving project tracking. Jim Simonson, Executive Vice President and COO of Steel Service, Jackson, Miss., says being able to access building modeling in the cloud in real time improves communication and scheduling. “Being able to share this information from a laptop on the job site with the erector, as well as other trades, improves sequencing, scheduling cranes, and labor supply.” One example, which Simonson recommends is Tekla BIMsight. This free software, allows models to be combined and shared, checks for conflicts, and allows communication with notes.

Likewise, Glen Pisani, Steel Division Manager for MAS Building & Bridge, Norfolk, Mass., says being able to turn 2D drawings into 3D visuals that you can share in the field has dramatically improved coordination between the fabricator and erector. He likes Bluebeam

16 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

for its document and drawing managements features, and the ability for different teams to modify and update files at the same time.

“Live interaction with a model that you can share with foremen, field supervisors, detailers, and others helps to improve productivity and quality,” he says.

Using drones to capture job site progress is also becoming more commonplace. It’s something Gardner-Watson Decking, Oldsmar, Fla., has been doing. Images taken three to four times per week are compared for the development of progress reports. (See related article on page 22.) The real break-thru, however, will be when all that visual data can be analyzed by a software program, providing valuable reports that field and management personnel can act on.

JBKnowledge, which conducts an annual technology survey of more than 60,000 construction professionals, predicts that workflows will become further digitized, but companies will need better integration capabilities for widespread adoption to occur.

Estimates and Job Costs Bidding and estimating products can be difficult to find that integrate well with

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 17

existing project management and accounting systems. A recent article in Construction Business Owner, “How to Find the Right Bidding Software,” reports that one of the challenges contractors have is finding something that works off the self for their niche business.

The author, Deborah Huso, suggests critical reasons to consider a bidding software solution: reducing time to generate a bid, simplicity of operation and automation, and consistency. The article suggests seven popular tools. (Read the full article on page 30 of the August 2018 issue at constructionbusinessowner.com.)

One designed for steel erection industry is Bid Wizard from Steel Estimating Solutions.

This industry specific estimating software uses more than 300 built-in task formulas to account for costs such as labor, cranes, welders, fuel and equipment. Formulas are based on real-world experience to calculate how long it takes a crew of ironworkers to perform each task. But if you find that the calculations don’t match with your company’s production rates, the program can be adjusted for more accurate results.

Meanwhile, collecting paperwork from field employees is one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to keeping track of costs, says Jack Nix, VP of Operations for Shelby Erectors, Davie, Fla. To streamline processes, the company has gone paperless. No hard copies of inspection forms, daily logs, safety meeting reports, disciplinary notices, receipts for expenses, and even timesheets for payroll. The paperless transition didn’t happen overnight, but now, Nix says, he would never go back.

More than 10 years ago, Nix sought out an accounting software designed for the needs of contractors, ultimately choosing ComputerEase, with flexible billing options, retainage

Advanced Wireless Forms. “This makes getting information from the field so much more timely, it improves communication and documentation, and reduces errors,” says Nix. ActSoft also makes products for job tracking, timekeeping, and dispatching.

Foundations for success

ExpenseEase Mobile App by Computer Ease tracking, invoice routing and reconciling, and more. Additional tools help contractors tell at a glance where each job stands in terms of estimated vs. actual costs, percent complete, cash flow, over/under billing and most importantly, profitability.

“We have found it to be a robust system without a lot of expensive customization other accounting software programs require.

In addition, the company has proven to be responsive to suggestions for improvements and new developments,” said Nix. Two additional ComputerEase mobile apps that Shelby Erectors now implements are Time Tracking and ExpenseEase, which both integrate into ComputerEase accounting software. Field or supervisory personnel can track their hours right from their phone or tablet. “For our employees with credit cards, the ExpenseEase app can be filled out as purchases are made,” said Nix. In addition, the company has converted all other forms to digital formats using Actsoft’s

Actsoft Advanced Wireless Forms 18 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

As software and devices become more affordable and more widely available, companies will seek to use fewer solutions that can integrate across multiple platforms, suggests JBKnowledge. Simplicity and continuity will be key to wide spread integration. Pisani of MAS Building & Bridge believes it’s important for SEAA members to share these best practices as a way to create awareness among smaller erectors and fabricators.

Once a company decides to make an investment in new technologies, there are typically three obstacles to ultimate success, says SoftwareConnect.com. The first is not committing enough resources for sustainable, long-term management, training, and updating of the technology. In their 2018 report, they found that as a result, ROI is lower than expected, and companies don’t maintain the commitment. The second obstacle is not training field staff in the tool’s usage and importance. “Crew members may consider the tools a hindrance to their established methods of labor,” says SoftwareConnect. com. Third, legacy systems may not be compatible with new integrations.

Integration of technological innovations helps contractors do more with less, an important step in combatting workforce shortages. But the adoption of new materials, tools, and methods also means that the labor force must gain new skill sets to remain competitive, creating an ever-moving target for defining and finding a qualified workforce.

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Steel Construction of the Future Here’s a glimpse of a few new materials and construction methods that might change structural steel construction in the future.

■■ Continuous improvements to steel could slash the cost of steel production. “Con-X-Tech, for example, is creating modular structural steel systems which eliminates the need for riveting [i.e. bolting] or welding. The product relies on gravity connectors to create a rigid frame.

Innovations like these can also save considerable on-site time.”

■■ Alternatives to steel, such as nanomaterials, are super strong and ultra lightweight. DeltaHedron reports: “Research is continuing to develop carbon nanotubes as a strong, very lightweight alternative to steel reinforcement. This could boost on-site productivity significantly, by eliminating the need for reinforcement fixing times.”

■■A new steel core system that may transform high-rise, steel-frame buildings is already being used on the construction of 58-story Ranier Square project in Seattle, Wash. “The coupled steel-plate composite wall system—a sandwich of plates filled with concrete liberated of reinforcing steel—provides the strength, stiffness, safety and serviceability of a reinforced concrete core but is not burdened by rebar congestion and complex formwork,” reports Engineering News-Record.

The technique is being pioneered by Magnusson Klemencic Associates (MKA), which predicts the system can cut by half the time it takes to construct the superstructure. Working on the project are Lease Crutcher Lewis as the contractor, the Supreme Group as steel fabricator and the Erection Co. as the steel erector.

This is a fabricated steel product that has all the strength, stiffness, and damping of a reinforced concrete system without the tolerance incompatibilities and trade coordination required when a reinforced concrete wall is used. And we can go a lot faster with this system than the concrete industry can. It is a total game changer for our industry,” said Charlie Carter, president of American Institute of Steel Construction.

•

Additional Reading

JB Knowledge ConTech Report

20 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Technology Trends 2018 Report

enr.com

Impact of Emerging Technologies on Construction

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IN THE FIELD

By Lucy Perry

Flying Beyond Aerial Surveillance Ideas for using drones in steel construction applications

GW Decking used drone images to chart the progress of the VA Hospital construction project in New Orleans. For progress reports, an image may be taken several times a week to capture an aerial view of project development. Photo provided by Gardner-Watson Decking Inc.

D

rones are quickly finding a place in steel construction operations.

Many say it’s not a matter of if the technology is mainstreamed, but when. As Dave King, CEO of Steel City Drones writes, they’re becoming a fixture in the construction field where their upside keeps growing.

Traditionally, drones have been equipped with video streaming technology for aerial surveillance. In the construction industry applications include daily reporting of job progress; monitoring jobsite safety; and promotion. When Gardner-Watson Decking Inc., Oldsmar, Fla., began using drones four years ago, the technology was primarily considered a marketing tool for gathering job site photos. Now the company is also using video Lucy Perry operates WordSkills Editorial Services in Kansas City, Mo. She has spent 20 years following the North American construction industry. She can be reached at wordskillseditor@gmail.com.

captured by drones for monitoring projects and conducting safety inspections.

For progress reports, an image will be taken one to three times a week to capture an aerial view of development on the jobsite.

“Because you have a limited view on the ground, an aerial image offers a more accurate picture of progress,” says Will Nichols, project manager.

The company has also found value in the technology as a safety tool. “We can go over the jobsite without workers ever knowing we’re there. We can do a true, surprise safety audit. It’s a good way to make sure people are doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” he adds.

Ready for takeoff Until recently, the use of drones for many business reasons was illegal, notes Building Design & Construction magazine. To regulate “unmanned aircraft systems” (UAS) within national airspace, two years ago the FAA

22 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

issued rules allowing the commercial use of drones, with limitations (see sidebar).

The FAA rules are a good starting point, and pilot licensing has it place, but it may be too soon to talk about drone operator certification because the technology is changing so rapidly. “People are still trying to get FAA certification, which just came out two years ago,” says Nichols. For one thing, he says, the devices are getting smaller and smaller, and the capabilities are ever evolving. From Nichols’ perspective, the technology’s moving target makes nailing down trade-specific certification impractical for the time being.

As a stop-gap measure, the drone industry itself does a decent job of educating its customers. Online, users can find information on operations, maintenance, and best practices.

One site Nichols likes is DroneDeploy.com, which he says is an excellent resource for aerial mapping. A drone software platform developer, DroneDeploy offers unlimited flying, mapping, and sharing capabilities.

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 23

For deployment, Nichols likes that the user can box any area he or she wants to create a map of. “The drone flies on its own and takes pictures, then analyzes the data on its own. It’s up to the pilot how to fly it, and the best place to take off and land from,” he says.

If your company doesn’t yet have an employee trained in the operation of drones, another option is to hire third-party services.

Steel City Drones, a “drone acquisition company” has a network of hundreds of vetted drone operators ready for any job across the United States. The company’s drone services include aerial photography, video, mapping acquisition, and inspection services for commercial applications. In addition, the company’s Steel City Flight Academy teaches safe and responsible drone piloting. “If a construction company hasn’t already had the discussion to start using drones yet, their competitors definitely have. It’s more a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ companies will take the plunge. Drones are here to stay,” King believes.

However, King warns the challenge is finding a reputable drone service provider. “Right now the drone industry is truly the Wild Wild West. There are thousands of operators that don’t have experience, proper certification, adequate equipment or the insurance needed to protect their clients,” he says.

After confirming the drone operator has an FAA remote pilot’s license, determine whether the remote pilot has a specific UAS drone insurance policy and make sure the remote pilot adds the company as additional insured to the policy to help protect the client. Also confirm that the pilot has the right equipment for commercial applications.

Integrating a drone program into your steel construction company’s operations is more involved. King writes: “A successful drone program starts with good equipment and good internal processes. Commercial drones can range anywhere from $5000 to $15,000, and by the time all accessories are added in it can cost upwards of $30,000.”

Beyond training for FAA licensing, there’s operator training, and it takes an average pilot between 50 to 150 flights of practice before he or she is ready to start doing commercial work. Professional flight training can cost several thousand dollars depending upon how many operators need training and the level of training.

Best practices The use of drones in steel construction is so new, best practices vary. As with any valued piece of equipment, however, there are some standard procedures. Always inspect

Software programs can process drone images and generate data on safety infractions, enhancing jobsite safety. Drones can, for instance, detect the location of a worker not wearing safety gear. Drone imaging shows progress on the roof decking installation at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Photo provided by Gardner-Watson Decking Inc.

24 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

the device. “Look at the prop, make sure there are no nicks in it, and that it’s tight and not falling off. Make sure the camera is mounted to the device properly, and that the GPS signal is working so the drone doesn’t fly off course,” says Nichols.

Like daily equipment inspections, daily drone operation should begin with preflight checklist, stresses Nichols. “You want to develop a good pre-flight checklist. Check the weather for that day. Confirm the wind speed. A drone flies at 22 mph, so you don’t want to fly if the wind reads 23 mph, or the drone will be blown away.”

He also suggests developing a consistent maintenance program to extend the life of your investment in the technology. Monitor the drone’s battery cycle and know exactly how many chart cycles the battery will last.

Nichols notes each battery manufacturer rates its component for a set number of cycles.

He recommends tht you know that lifecycle if flying over buildings or people (which requires waivers). “We fly at 80% of the rated life of the battery,” he says. “We discontinue use at 80% and use a new battery. If the battery is rated for 100 chart cycles, you don’t ever want to find out, in its 101st flight, that you’re losing altitude and you hit a crane or other structure.”

The future With the usage of drones growing significantly every year, the application potential is almost mind-boggling. Nichols believes drones will put more people to work by producing more and better info with which supervisors and managers can take action.

“From a safety standpoint, if you run all your drone images through a software algorithm, you can automatically generate data on safety infractions, for example, so it gives a safety person more info to work with. Say a drone image detects a worker not wearing safety gloves. Instead of spending his whole day trying to find the person without the gloves on, instead of walking the jobsite all day, a safety director will know exactly where the worker is, using his time much more efficiently.”

He imagines, too, that engineered with enough payload capacity, drones could be used to transport material to and on the jobsite in the future. “You’d beam or lift it up and the drone would know where to go, so you’d just lower it down to people already there on the jobsite.

I could envision that,” he says. “And with thermal infrared cameras, drones might be used for welding inspections at some point. If you’re working on a cell phone tower or bridge in a precarious location over water, it might be easier for an inspector or steel erector to deploy a drone instead of a human inspector down the line.”

FAA predicts that sales of UAS for commercial purposes could grow to 2.7 million units by 2020. “It’s hard to envision where the drone industry will be in five years, but one thing is for certain: They are changing the landscape of commercial industry. It will be a fascinating ride,” predicts King.

•

The FAA issued its first operational rule for routine commercial use of drones in August 2016. The final rule states: • Drones must weigh less than 55 pounds.

• Pilots must be at least age 16 and must be certified or supervised by a certified individual.

• Drones can be operated during daylight and twilight (30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset) only if the drone is equipped with appropriate anti-collision lights.

• Visibility must be at least 3 miles from the PIC’s location. Maximum allowable speed (ground speed) is 87 knots (100 mph) and the UAS must stay more than 500 feet below any clouds, or more than 200 feet above them.

• Operators must keep drones within line of sight.

• Operators cannot fly drones over unprotected individuals on the ground who are not part of the operation, are under a covered structure, or are inside a covered stationary vehicle.

• Maximum ground speed is 100 mph.

• Maximum altitude is 400 feet above ground level; if flying higher, the drone must remain within 400 feet of a structure.

• To obtain an FAA-approved remote pilot certificate, the user must pass an aeronautical knowledge test. Once the user passes the test, his or her application is vetted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and processed by the FAA. If approved, a permanent certificate, with a required knowledge test to be re-taken every two years is issued.

26 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

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COVER STORY

By Tina Cauller

COMMON SENSE and

Collaboration

Arena construction made easier, safer and more efficient with thoughtful communication and modifications

Milwaukee Bucks Arena, Milwaukee, Wis. Class IV ($2.5 million and above) Erector: J.P. Cullen & Sons Inc. Structural Engineer: GRAEF Fabricator & Detailer: Merrill Steel GC: Mortenson Architect: Populous, HNTB, and EUA Contract Value: $15.1 million Tons of Steel: 8,000 Photo Credit: Populous

J

P Cullen’s remarkable resourcefulness and commitment to safety has earned the company well-deserved recognition

by SEAA, who selected the Milwaukee Bucks Arena as Class IV Project of the Year.

There were just 290 days between setting the first piece of steel and the topping off celebration, which marked the conclusion of an extraordinary accomplishment by the JP Cullen team.

The Milwaukee Bucks Arena was erected using approximately 8,000 tons of structural steel. The steel construction consisted of typical structural column and beam steel framing for the surrounding bowl structure, including six levels plus a roof. The roof over the arena floor consisted of nine long-span roof trusses approximately 33 feet deep.

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 28 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Tight schedule, tight quarters Workers were confronted with an aggressive schedule as the owners were looking to open the new arena in time for the 2018-2019 season.

Since the project began in early November, crane operation was subject to the whims of wintry Wisconsin weather, including snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and high winds. If the anemometer on the crane measured wind speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour, lifting of the roof trusses had to be stopped until it fell below the threshold. The inability to control Mother Nature made it even more imperative to carefully orchestrate operations and support the timely achievement of project milestones.

Since most of the structure was steel framed, steel fabrication and delivery was the critical path for all other follow-on activities and creating a reliable schedule to supply the material

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needed for onsite erection operation was crucial. Over the course of the project, more than 130 ironworkers logged 80,000+ manhours, and the project required 75 or more ironworkers onsite at one time along with more than 100 workers from other trades onsite each day. While an arena may seem like a spacious worksite, the task of erecting massive roof trusses along with all the crews, material, and multiple cranes and boom lifts sharing the space made the arena bowl feel more like a tin of sardines. The constrained space impacted the laydown and work area for the crews and demanded meticulous planning to avoid endangering tradespeople.

An overview of the bowl — 50 percent The 730,000-square-foot arena of the steel is completed at this stage. required a colossal amount of steel ― roughly 13,000 structural steel pieces with a total weight just over 8,000 tons.

The longest truss spanned 313 feet and weighed 102 tons. Truss assembly racks and shoring towers were used for the erection of the trusses. The JP Cullen team set 358 steel columns, each weighing in at 10,700 lbs. and measuring 36 feet tall. Overall, the project included 7,673 main structural steel pieces and 6,000 miscellaneous structural steel pieces. Sequencing the work with the fabricator and having detailed safety plans were essential to the success of the project.

JP Cullen’s team worked closely with Merrill Steel to clearly communicate the plan for organizing steel delivery and ensuring on-time delivery. Having the steel components sequenced and then delivered in order of erection greatly streamlined the process for ironworkers.

Erecting the first of four 180 ft. long truss sections.

Sequencing in Daily Doses JP Cullen developed detailed erection plans for the bowl structure as well as the trusses, with specific erection sequences. Extensive modeling, lift and crane dismantling planning, and much more took place months in advance.

JP Cullen began work with Mortenson and Merrill Steel eight months before steel erection. According to Mentink, “As soon as we were awarded the contract, we sat down with the fabricator, construction manager, and erection engineer to put together the sequencing and direction of flow. The structure of the arena was all structural steel, so it was critical to develop a plan right away.”

To present the extensively detailed plan to field personnel in a more easily digestible format, the sequencing was broken into smaller daily packets with checklists and signoffs on specific procedures before proceeding.

The bowl structure erection started on the west side, working along the north and south sides and coming together on the east utilizing two erection crews simultaneously. Inside the arena, each individual truss was assembled into two “half” trusses and built concurrently 30 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

The Sky Bridge is lifted into place.

on an engineered truss rack fabricated specifically for the project. JP Cullen developed a specific erection sequence for the roof trusses identifying required temporary bracing, tie-in pieces that needed to be erected before releasing the crane from each truss half, and tie-in pieces that needed be erected to stabilize the truss prior to the ironworker crews leaving for the day.

JP Cullen’s BIM team developed models to determine exact crane locations for each truss pick as well as a pre-assembled pedestrian bridge pick, and for disassembly of the cranes. A specialized disassembly procedure had to be engineered by the crane manufacturer outlining the exact sequence for lowering the crane lattice boom underneath the already erected roof trusses due to the limited space available between roof trusses to lower the boom flat for disassembly. “This entire procedure was modeled utilizing BIM to ensure we

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 31

could maximize the boom length while still being able to disassemble the crane after the roof trusses had been erected,” recalls Adam Mentink, Project Manager.

At the main entrance on the arena’s east side, the design included splayed columns that were structural steel. The erector was tasked with determining how to temporarily brace these while eliminating the need for cable bracing as much as possible. To address this challenge, a combination of decking diaphragm and anchor bolts designed to specific sequencing was employed. The team decided to shorten the columns to a single floor level, making sure that the anchor bolts alone could support columns up to 30 feet high, and the decking diaphragm was in place and fastened down before adding the remaining portion of the column. This eliminated the need for any cable bracing which would have been in the way of other trade crews.

Prior to the installation of the façade, the roof trusses that connect opposite sides of the bowl structure had to be in place. As the schedule did not allow for this, JP Cullen worked with the design team and construction manager to develop a temporary erection plan that allowed for façade installation to start sooner than the original permanent design allowed. Sequencing had to be very detailed to ensure the structural stability of the stadium before systematically moving the truss-loaded crane, a challenge the team met using 3D lift planning. Although the weight of the load required a 300-ton crane, JP Cullen ultimately chose a larger 440-ton crane with more extensive boom configurations that would accommodate the reach needed.

Thoughtful hazard mitigation Given the scope of work and the number of people present in the confined site, it was critical for JP Cullen to have a detailed safety plan in place from the beginning. Mortensen, the construction manager, along with Cullen, wanted to protect workers from the hazard of falling tools and requested the development of a drop prevention plan. Mentink believed that involving both management and field workers would benefit the development of a maximally effective plan to ensure safety. When asked for their input, the connecting crews expressed concerns about the conventional approach of using tool tethers to mitigate drop hazards. Based on practical experience, they felt strongly that the use of tethers created the potential risk of snagging on a beam during erection and putting workers at risk, even in a 100% tie-off environment. That collaboration resulted in the decision to forego tethers for connectors only and use no-access zones to minimize the risk of injury from dropped tools.

The no-access zones were implemented to prevent entry by persons who were unqualified or unfamiliar with the steel operations, and steel erection crewmembers were allowed to enter only at controlled access points. Rather than relying only on a barricade, spotters were positioned at points of entry to ensure that access was controlled.

At several key points, thoughtful modifications of standard procedures allowed the JP Cullen team to make the steel erection process easier, safer and more efficient. Project management put the conventional playbook aside in favor of worker safety once more when

Disassembling the 400-ton crane with inches to spare after the trusses were set in place.

32 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 33

A typical day, showing the level of activity in the bowl, and the reason why coordination was necessary between JP Cullen and other contractors

the big roof trusses were in place and safely accessing the work area became an issue. As a rule, personnel are advised not to climb out of a boom lift, but in this case, workers felt that this may be necessary and may be the safest way to reach the work area..

“When facing challenges, we always ask ourselves if there is a better piece of equipment for the task,” noted Mentink. “In this case, there just wasn’t a better alternative. We needed a customized approach.

So, we chose to create a special boom lift procedure with specific, detailed criteria for exceptions that would allow workers to leave

According to owner’s specifications, JP Cullen executed a 40% onsite local Resident Preference Program and 25% SBE/DBE contract value requirement.

The use of domestic steel and local vendors was important to the owner, and 96% of the steel used on the project was produced domestically.

the lift, and then devised a way to communicate to the entire team each time this approved exception was in operation. We suspended flags from the boom lift to signal to the rest of the field crew that an approved exception was in place for each excursion from the lift. We wanted to be sure that our culture of safety was never compromised, and that worker safety was always a top priority.”

Extensive planning, sequencing, and coordination were all critical to the ultimate success of this demanding project. Despite a variety of challenging factors, the JP Cullen ironworker crew completed the job three weeks ahead of schedule (allowing following trades to start early), and on budget.

The new Milwaukee Bucks Arena is an important project in the revitalization of downtown Milwaukee and the centerpiece of an all new entertainment district including a training center, parking structure, and entertainment plaza. The completed arena structure holds 17,500 seats, 34 suites, three clubs, and 170 theater boxes, and is designed to enhance the entire fan experience of game attendees.

•

34 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 35

BUSINESS OPERATIONS

By Jeremy Macliver

Effective Meetings: The Secret Weapon to Corporate Success

M

ost major accomplishments come from people working together. People joining forces to do something great. Somewhere, they had to meet. They had to create a plan. And communication is the key to accomplishing things as a team. However, we’ve all experienced meetings that are ineffective, lack direction, and seem to accomplish nothing but wasting our time. It’s unfortunate that most people dread meetings because it’s in the meeting room that strategic plans are created, products are launched, growth is conceived, and our futures are determined.

If your leadership team can master the meeting room, then they can create accountability, clarity, direction, and movement in any team. There are many types of meetings you will need to have in your company, and they should start with this format. For a leadership-focused meeting, the meeting should be 90 minutes long and should take place weekly.

Intro Level 10 Meeting® Agenda • • • • • • • •

Segue Scorecard Review Rock Review Customer/Employee Headlines To Do’s Issues List Conclude with Recap new To Do’s and Cascading Messages Rate Meeting

Jeremy Macliver operates Guaranteed Traction, a business consulting firm that is an EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Implementer, a business philosophy focusing on vision, traction and healthy leadership. Learn more at guaranteedtraction.com.

36 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Segue (5 minutes) The purpose of the segue is to allow each team member to step into the meeting and step out of the daily work load. Each team member shares some good news personally and professionally.

Reporting Scorecard Review, Rock Review, and Headlines (5 minutes each) These three items on the agenda are for reporting purposes only. If there are issues (or items to be discussed), the topic is pushed down to the Issues List section of the meeting. Having discussions during the reporting phase only slows the meeting down, causing it to become unproductive.

The purpose of the Scorecard is to review 5-15 numbers that are most critical to watch every week. Each number needs to have a weekly goal. If the number is not met, it is moved to “issue” status for resolution later.

Rocks are your top priorities for the next 90 Days. Stephen Covey made this concept famous in his book “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” A Rock is owned by one person. People can have 3-7 Rocks per quarter, and everyone on the team should have at least one Rock.

During Rock Review, the owner of the Rock will state that the Rock is either “On Track” or “Off Track” to be completed by the end of the 90 days. If they are on track to complete it, there isn’t anything to discuss. The task should be considered Off Track if help is needed to move the objective forward, or the task won't be completed on time.

Drop this to the issues list for discussion later. To learn more about 90-day Rocks strategy, read “Traction” by Gino Wickman.

Customer and Employee Headlines are reports or possible issues related to customers and/or employees. Someone might say: “The XYZ Job is going great. The PM on the project said we are the easiest steel erector company he has ever worked with.” The team is glad to hear it, and then they move on. Or, “Bob put in his two-week notice yesterday,” which creates an issue to be discussed later.

If the meeting is on track, at this point, you are 20-minutes in and you already have a clear picture of what is going on in your company.

Action To Do’s (5 minutes) These are seven-day action items. Review the things that were committed to get done since the previous meeting.

The goal is 90% completion each week. There are only two options when reviewing these: Done and Not Done. To create clear accountability, you must be extremely consistent that almost done is not done.

Issues (60 minutes) At this point, you will have generated a list of issues. Make sure there are not any other issues that someone wants to add. Once you have the complete list, prioritize the top three most important issues and begin solving them. EOS Implementers teach a process for solving issues call IDS (Identify-Discuss-Solve). You can learn more about this at blog.eosworldwide.com/blog.

Conclude Conclude (5 minutes) It is extremely important that meetings end on time in order for them to be effective. Regardless of how far along you are in solving your issues, you must stop five minutes before it’s time to concluding the meeting. Three things must be covered during conclusion: Recapping To Do’s, creating cascading messages, and rating the meeting.

Many issues that were solved during the meeting will require someone to do something before the next meeting. Read off all the commitments (To Do’s) that were made, to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Cascading Messages are essential for leadership teams. It is important that the team is clear on what messages can be shared and what messages must stay in the meeting room. This allows the team to speak freely during the meeting. It also helps the leaders provide a unified front to the entire organization when a message needs to be communicated. Finally, every team has its own way of communicating, and everybody comes to a meeting with a set of expectations. Rating the meeting on a scale of 1-10 brings clarity and helps fine tune future expectations.

Effective meetings help teams achieve their biggest goals and objectives, ultimately driving the company to success. If you would like to learn more about running great meetings, handling them remotely, and how they work in different areas of the company, or EOS implementation, go to guaranteedtraction.com.

•

Connector | FALL EDITION September 2018 | 37

TOPPING OUT Overheard at SEAA’s July Board Meeting, Orlando, Fla.

"The 1 - 2 - 7 Jobs Formula. As new jobs are produced in the United States, 1 person will need an advanced degree, such as Masters or Doctorate; 2 employees will need a college degree; and 7 of the positions will require a technical degree, apprenticeship or craft training certificate."

— Steve Greene, Vice President, NCCER

A Formula for Safe ‘Christmas Treeing’ Multiple lift rigging, or “christmas treeing,” is prohibited for construction activities other than steel erection because of the hazards involved, including beams hitting other objects or people. OSHA’s Sub Part R 1926.753 addresses the use multiple lift rigging assemblies, and a 2005 OSHA letter of interpretation provides additional explanation.

Because of the necessity for this work practice in steel erection, crew members should understand the dangers and follow best practices.

SAFETY FLASH

Find Find this and additional topics a seaa.net/news/category/safety-flash

SEAA Members Among Biggest Crane Owners Several SEAA members made the 2018 list of top 100 crane companies. Presented by American Cranes & Transport (ACT), the index is calculated by adding together the maximum lifting capacities in U.S. tons of all crawler cranes and mobile cranes in a company's fleet.

The full list is found in the June 2018 issue of ACT on page 47. The crane divisions of SEAA membercompanies and their rank shown in chart.

2018 TOP 100 CRANE COMPANIES #1 MAXIM CRANE WORKS

Drone Stats 1 in 5: Number of construction professionals currently using drones for photogrammetry and mapping.

Source: SoftwareConnect.com

#8 BUCKNER HEAVYLIFT CRANES #9 W.O. GRUBB INC. #24 H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES

Construction industry predicted to adopt drone usage more rapidly than any other commercial industry. Source: Goldman Sachs

#37 BIG B CRANE #69 JPW COMPANIES

Meet New Members

#71 G.A. WEST & CO. #74 ALLIANCE RIGGERS & CONSTRUCTORS

Eligibility Extended for Annual Project of the Year Award Beginning this year, projects topped out in the previous 24-month period will be accepted for the annual Project of the Year Award. Previous nominations that did not receive recognitions are eligible to resubmit as long as they topped out between Jan. 1, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2018. The awards program is open to SEAA members only. Project categories include Class I up to $500K, Class II $500K to $1 Mil, Class III $1 Mil to $2.5 Mil, and Class IV above $2.5 Mil.

UP NEXT

Check out the Member Directory at SEAA.net.

Maya Erectors LLC is a steel and precast concrete erector in Houston, Texas.

Head’s Steel Service Inc., Portland, Tenn., is a structural and miscellaneous steel erector providing services for industrial, healthcare, manufacturing, and mixed-use projects.

Annual Member Directory Steel Construction Market Report Detailing for Erectors

38 | THE STEEL ERECTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA

Winter Edition December 2018 Ad Deadline: November 12, 2018 ConnectorSales@seaa.net

Check out SEAA’s new website!

SteelDay Turns 10.

Join the party!

• Attend our free webinar, Birth of the Steel Skyscraper, learn about steel’s role in the evolution of structural engineering innovation, and earn 1.0 PDH • Visit a steel fabricator, mill or job site and see the industry in action • Watch an exclusive pre-screening of the documentary film, Leaning Out, the story of the acclaimed structural engineer Leslie E. Robertson and earn 1.0 PDH • Get 10% off everything in the AISC Bookstore • Experience a unique networking opportunity with other industry and design partners to celebrate steel

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SteelDay. find an event at www.aisc.org/steelday September 28, 2018 Smarter. Stronger. Steel.

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