February - Scaffold and Access Industry Association
Transcription
February - Scaffold and Access Industry Association
FEBRUARY 2007 Platform Council Issues Plank Guidelines An Update on A92 Standards SIA Members Participate in Mast Climbing Initiative How to Prepare for Immigration Raids VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2 Table Of Contents FEBRUARY > VOLUME 35 > ISSUE 2 > 2007 On the Cover: Bothwell Enterprises has introduced a new plank system. (Can you guess what is missing from this photo? Answer: Toeboards) Feature Buying Scaffold Plank 6 departments 5 9 29 35 36 SIA Platform Council provides guidelines for engineered wood products President’s Message Technically Speaking Column Planks and Platforms 11 Industry Briefs Schedule of Events Selecting, installing and maintaining the right scaffold plank for the job Advertisers’ Index New Product Designing A New Plank System Column Safety First 24 SIA active in new mast climbing work platform safety initiative Department Industry Briefs 29 13 Atlantic Industrial names Sisney president. Bothwell introduces lightweight and durable alternative to traditional scaffolding platforms www.scaffold.org Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE VOLUME 35 ISSUE 2 PUBLISHER Were You Not Entertained COMMITTEE WEEK PROVIDES GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE Mike Mehno (972) 819-1460 EDITOR Natalie Keith (561) 439-0854 PRODUCTION MANAGER Mike Baker (626) 932-6197 GRAPHIC DESIGNER Chuck Muela (626) 932-6147 AD COORDINATOR Terri Wujek (212) 904-3903 ACCOUNT MANAGER Elizabeth Dambouradijan (832) 524-4947 ACCOUNT MANAGER Joan Callahan (972) 819-1496 Scaffold Industry is published monthly with an extra issue in March by the Scaffold Industry Association Inc. Subscriptions are $85 for an annual subscription / $45 for additional subscription. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Scaffold Industry Assocation Inc., P.O. Box 20574, Phoenix, AZ 85036- 0574 For further information, please contact the SIA office at: Scaffold Industry Assocation Inc. 1617 E. Rairdan Lane #5 Phoenix, AZ 85034 - 5710 As I write this, I am currently 33,000 ft somewhere above Denver, Colo. heading home after a highly productive Committee Week in Las Vegas. The weather was cold, the action was hot, and the support John R. Miller and enthusiasm for all things SIA was rewarding. Our first event of the year definitely set the bar for the rest of the year, a year I believe is the most important in our association’s existence. You see, 2007 is the year that the SIA retains its perch as the recognized voice of the scaffold & access industry. Registrations for Committee Week far exceeded last year and that doesn't even include those of you who showed up without registering. In addition, the quality of the attendance was noticeable as many new faces were present, some for the first time, and took active roles in the process of furthering council initiatives. Both the Suspended and Supported Scaffolds Councils presented final drafts of new safety training DVDs to the Technical Oversight Committee for review and acceptance. Members can look for those product offerings to become available before our Long Beach convention. The Plank & Platform Council submitted its final draft for the newly updated Solid Sewn Handbook which should be ready within the Phone: (602) 257-1144 Fax: (602) 257-1166 [email protected] • www.scaffold.org Scaffold Industry is the official publication of the Scaffold Industry Association Inc. Opinions expressed herein are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the official view of the SIA. The material contained in this publication is for informational purposes only and, unless otherwise noted, is not to be considered as the official position of the SIA, its members or advertisers; does not constitute legal advice; is not to be considered as approving or recommending any product or advertisement by the SIA; and the SIA does not promulgate rules or regulations governing the industry or its members. next few months. In addition, the council continues to educate the industry on the importance of third party testing and the potential perils of imported scaffold plank. It also shines a spotlight on the industry’s first venture into composite plank. Once again, the Aerial Work Platform and Fall Protection Councils continue to impress with their attendance, content and plans for the future. The AWP Council, in collaboration with Lift & Access Magazine, is planning a “Members from China, Japan, Peru, Holland, Canada, Finland, and the United Kingdom were present and involved in council functions” safety conference to be held within the SIA 35th annual convention in July. Breakout sessions presented by experts within the lift & access industry along with equipment demonstrations and exhibits are planned and designed to reinforce the fact that the SIA stands for more than just scaffolding. The Fall Protection Council is planning a U.S./European comparison on safety regulations as they relate to the scaffold & access industry while promoting the recent revision to the letter written and endorsed by a President’s Message continued on page 35 2006-2008 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE JOHN R. MILLER President The Millstone Companies STEVE SMITH Secretary Edge International RANDY MOODY Board Appointee XServ, Inc. CHUCK HUTCHINSON Presidential Appointee Bil-Jax, Inc. BILL BREAULT President Elect Breault Industrial Group, Inc. LIZ CALLAHAN Treasurer Power Climber JEFF STACHOWIAK Board Appointee Sunbelt Rentals HOWARD SCHAPIRA Immediate Past-President Action Equipment & Scaffold Co. Inc. JOHN BRASIL Vice President Etobicoke Ironworks Limited Published by: Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 5 Feature Planks and Platforms Buying Scaffold Plank SIA Platform Council provides guidelines for engineered wood products Engineered wood products (EWP) such as laminated veneer lumber, pinned plank and edge-laminated plank have been used successfully as scaffold plank for many years. New products and manufacturers are continuing to enter the EWP market place. To maintain and verify the consistency and quality, EWP manufacturers must employ a comprehensive quality-assurance program outlined in a product manufacturing standard approved by the qualified agency. Therefore, the Platform Council has found it important to provide purchasers of EWP planks with guidelines for consideration during the buying decision process. Section 5.2.10 of ANSI A10.8-2001 Safety Requirements for ScaffoldingAmerican National Standard for Construction and Demolition Operations states: “All laminated planks shall bear the seal of an independent, nationally recognized inspection agency certifying design compliance with the design criteria referenced herein.” 6 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry Example of manufacturer embossings. Because it is a regulatory requirement, it is important for a purchaser of EWP plank to know what independent qualified inspection agency (a.k.a. qualified agency or third-party) the plank manufacturer uses. The plank supplier or manufacturer should be able to provide accreditation information for the qualified agency. Besides meeting the above regulatory requirement, the qualified agency provides other important functions for both the manufacturer and the user of EWP scaffold plank. So what exactly is a qualified agency? The EWP industry in North Amer- ica has utilized qualified agencies to audit the quality-assurance program and to witness testing that verifies material design properties and performance criteria. Section 8.2 of ASTM D 5456-06 Standard Specification for Structural Evaluation of Structural Composite Lumber Products defines a qualified independent inspection agency as one that: Has access to the facilities and trained technical personnel to verify that the grading, measuring, species, construction, bonding, workmanship and other characteristics of the products as determined by inspection, sam- 1. www.scaffold.org Planks and Platforms pling and testing comply with applicable requirements specified herein. Has procedures to be followed by its personnel in performance of the inspection and testing. Has no financial interest in, or is not financially dependent upon, any single company manufacturing the product being inspected or tested. Is not owned, operated or controlled by any such company. A qualified agency must be nationally accredited. Accreditation could come under the International Organization of Standardization, or ISO. For example, a qualified independent inspection agency is considered accredited if it is registered as a Quality Managed System under ISO-9002. Another example relates to EWP manufacturers that maintain building code approvals from the ICC Evaluation Services. These manufacturers are required to have a qualified inspection agency that is approved by the International Accreditation Service. The qualified independent inspection agency’s most important function is to monitor the manufacturer’s quality assurance and production process on a random, unannounced basis. During the inspection, the qualified agency will point out where the manufacturer is deviating from the manufacturer's plant quality-assurance manual and initiate corrective action procedures. If, and when, the qualified agency finds deficiencies, a qualified agency will conduct follow-up inspections. The qualified agency may also test product sampled from the plant or from the marketplace. As the EWP designation indicates, these products are designed using principles of materials science, industrial engineering and statistical process control to produce a product that is consistent with low variability. To maintain and verify the consistency and quality, EWP manufacturers must employ a comprehensive qualityassurance program outlined in a prod- 2. 3. 4. www.scaffold.org uct manufacturing standard approved by the qualified agency. Manufacturing standards will include, but not be limited to, raw material specifications, product testing and sampling procedures, and the manufacturer's certification. When the qualified agency pulls the manufacturer's certification, the manufacturer can not stamp or emboss the qualified agency logo on the plank and must remove all references to the The qualified independent inspection agency’s most important function is to monitor the manufacturer’s quality assurance and production process on a random, unannounced basis. During the inspection, the qualified agency will point out where the manufacturer is deviating from the manufacturer’s plant quality-assurance manual and initiate corrective action procedures. production parameters. The qualified independent inspection agency ensures that the manufacturer follows the manufacturing standard. If the manufacturer does not, the qualified agency is well within its power to pull qualified agency in any literature. Although the inspection agency serves to provide the above stated functions, it should also be noted that building consistent quality into engineered wood planks Continued on page 8 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 7 Planks and Platforms Continued from page 7 is the sole responsibility of the manufacturer, not the inspection agency. EWP planks have several pieces of information contained on the edge embossing for identification purposes. Some EWP plank manufacturers choose to put certain information on their planks, but the common thread for all that information is the seal of the qualified inspection agency. Most manufacturers emboss their name or the plank trade name and the plank grade (i.e. 2.15 or 2.2 E) on the edge of the planks. The manufacturer's name on the plank guides the user to the proper product literature containing plank grade, performance claims and handling procedures. The 2.2 E grade mark relates to the stiffness (how much a plank will deflect under a given span length) or modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the plank (2.2 E means that the average MOE of planks produced will be 2.2 x 10^6 psi). The grade of the plank also has bending (Fb) and shear (Fv) capacities or design values associated with the MOE. The qualified agency will witness the manufacturing, sampling and testing of the material to verify the manufacturer's claims on the literature. Many EWP planks have the term “Proof Tested” or “Proof Loaded” embossed on the plank edge. It is an indication that every plank is tested before leaving the plant. Proof loading is defined as nondestructively testing planks in bending. Proof loading is a valuable tool in the overall quality-control program but is not valuable if it is a standalone test to evaluate plank quality. The elements of the proof loading system should be included in the manufacturer's quality assurance manual. Therefore, the qualified independent inspection agency assures that the manufacturer is proof loading its planks on an on-going basis. The qualified agency will require that all equipment have periodic calibrations and that the test setup meets the requirements of the quality-control manual. The date stamp on the plank edge indicates the time of proof loading and is a valuable tool to trace back to quality assurance records. Another commonly used stamp is the acronym for the Occupational Safety and Health Agency. The OSHA upcoming issue... acronym does not indicate OSHA approval. It is an indication the plank meets the requirements of ANSI A10.8-2001, which includes that EWP manufacturers have a qualified agency backing the production and quality assurance process. Clearly the independent qualified inspection agency is a necessary component for EWP manufacturers production and quality assurance process. Besides fulfilling the regulatory requirement, the independent qualified agency provides a valuable link between the manufacturer and consumer. Working with the qualified agency, the manufacturer can provide a quality plank to the consumer. As the choices of EWP plank increase in the marketplace, knowledge that the planks are manufactured under the inspection of an independent qualified agency should be a strong consideration in the plank purchaser's buying decision process. ■ This information was written and compiled by Patrick Farrell, Jeff Jack and Colby Hubler on behalf of the Scaffold Industry Association Platform Council. Innovative Access Applications Committee Week Recap For Advertising Rates or to submit an article, please call: Elizabeth Dambouradjian (832) 524-4947 Joan Callahan (972) 819-1496 8 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org Column Technically Speaking Plank or Platform? Defining scaffold plank an important first step in ensuring safety By David Glabe, P.E. Is it plank or a platform that you stand on? Is this a tough question? Why is a concept so easy in theory so difficult in application? The simple answer to the first David H. Glabe question is that scaffold plank can be used to construct a platform. For a variety of reasons, it gets complicated, or so it seems. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration describes scaffold platform as a “work surface elevated above lower levels.” Platforms can be constructed using individual wood planks, fabricated planks, fabricated decks, and fabricated platforms. In an attempt to include the largest variety of products for platform, OSHA refers to the various components as “platform units.” While the experienced scaffolder will recognize that wood plank can be platform units, those not so knowledgeable will easily become confused since “platform unit” is not defined in the OSHA standards other than to say: “Each platform unit (e.g. scaffold plank, fabricated plank, fabricated deck, or fabricated platform)” as a way of defining a platform unit. The intent of the platform standards is to ensure a safe work surface for the scaffold user. This means that the worker should expect a surface that has sufficient strength, doesn't deflect too much, doesn't have any big holes to fall through, and is relatively flat. www.scaffold.org Having stated these expectations, where does that leave us when it comes to the specifics? It depends on what you are using for “platform units.” It also depends on the applicable scaffold standards. Is it general industry or construction? The following are some of the factors involved in ensuring safe scaffold platform: •All platform units shall have a safety factor of four. This means that if you are going to put 250 lbs on the platform unit, it has to hold at least 1,000 lbs before it breaks. it does not have to be scaffold grade but the SIA recommends that only scaffold grade solid sawn plank be used.) •You can use Styrofoam as a platform unit but you better make sure you have that 4-to-1 safety factor! •If you are using laminated veneer lumber, or other platform units fabricated from wood, they must have a 4to-1 safety factor. •The minimum width of a scaffold platform for most supported scaffolds is 18 in. You can use narrower widths if you can show that you don't have If you are using solid sawn lumber for a platform unit (plank cut out of a tree), it must be scaffold grade if OSHA general industry standards apply. It must have a 4 -to-1 safety factor if OSHA construction industry standards apply. •If you have a 2x10 plank, it has to be four times stronger than the load it will hold. •If you are using a 2x10 wood plank, fabricated plank (such as a laminated veneer lumber 2x10) or a fabricated deck (hook plank), the space between units cannot be more than 1 in. •If you are using solid sawn lumber for a platform unit (plank cut out of a tree), it must be scaffold grade if OSHA general industry standards apply. It must have a 4 -to-1 safety factor if OSHA construction industry standards apply. (In construction industry applications, room to construct an 18-in. platform. •Platforms are to be “fully decked” between the front uprights and the guardrail system. This is a great idea when a guardrail is being used. I have no idea what that means when there is no guardrail. Some people think that means the full width of the scaffold. Suppose you have a 9-ft wide (not long but wide) bay? Does this mean the platform should be 9-ft wide? •Platforms constructed with plank and plywood are legal, and safe too, notwithstanding an incorrect OSHA Continued on page 10 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 9 Tecnically Speaking Continued from page 9 letter of interpretation that claimed one couldn't inspect the plank if it was covered by plywood. •OSHA has a plank span chart in non-mandatory Appendix A of the construction scaffold standards. You can follow this chart if you want. Just make sure the plank you are using equals the strength used for the chart. Of course, if your plank is stronger than what the chart is based on, then you can't use the chart. Get a qualified person to tell you what your plank can do. •Make sure you know what you are buying when it comes to plank. Unscrupulous purveyors of scaffold plank have a tendency to overstate their product’s capability. (If the deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.) • If you choose to construct your platform with joists, such as aluminum beams, and plywood, make sure it is designed to support the intended load. 10 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry In other words, have a qualified person design it. •It is assumed that if platform units hang over their supports at least 6 in., they won't fall off. If you think your platform units may fall off, secure them so they don't. •Don't let your platform units hang over their supports too far because this will result in a diving board (also called a widow maker). This is not good. Unless you secure the opposite end, don't let your platform units stick out more than 12 in. for platform units 10 ft or less in length or 18 in. for longer plank. • Overlap your platform units at least 12 in. unless you secure them. These are a few things to consider when you are installing or working on platform units. Consult the OSHA, ANSI and SIA standards and codes for additional important information. Remember this: There is no back-up for a failed platform unit like there is for other scaffold components. In engineering jargon, the platform has no redundancy. If the platform unit you are standing on breaks, you are history. Some believe that the deck below a failed platform unit will break a fall. Unfortunately, by the time a worker hits the deck below, it will have built up enough momentum to break that one too. By the time you hit the ground you will have broken a lot of plank that you will have to pay for as soon as you get out of the hospital! Don't take chances on damaged product, misrepresented product, faulty product, or poorly placed product. That's what the standards say, in spite of the use of the term “platform unit.”■ David Glabe, P.E., is president of D.H. Glabe & Associates Inc. of Denver. Glabe also serves as the SIA's liaison to OSHA. E-mail him at [email protected]. www.scaffold.org Column Planks and Platforms Planks and Walkboards Selecting, installing and maintaining the right scaffold plank for the job By Chuck Hutchinson Providing a safe work surface is an important part of overall worker safety. OSHA regulations require that all work surfaces be completely decked or planked, allowing no more than a 1-in gap between two planks laid side-byside, or between the plank and an outside vertical member. However, there are three scenarios where exceptions are made: (1) during scaffold erection, (2) in demonstrated confined areas after scaffold erection is completed, and (3) when planking is used solely as a walkway. Since most scaffold manufacturers use a 5-ft wide frame, what exactly does this mean? First, let's talk about wood plank. There are two types of wood plank, manufactured (commonly called laminated) and sawn plank. Sawn plank is typically produced from Southern yellow pine, Douglas fir, or spruce. It is available rough-sawn or dressed, which is differentiated by thickness and the amount of surface treatment. Nominal 2-in. rough-sawn dry lumber is usually 1-3/4 in. to 1-7/8 in., and receives no surface treatment. Nominal 2-in. www.scaffold.org dressed lumber is surface planed on four sides, commonly 1-1/2 in. thick after kiln drying. These wood planks are then graded by a certified lumber grader and must meet the minimum grade of DI65 or better to be considered scaffold grade. Common lumber is not considered scaffold grade. The scaffold grade designation is critical because most lumber is graded for other uses such as floor joists, where the board face is vertical and loads rest on its edge. Scaffold plank, on the other hand, is tested for use horizontally with loads bearing on its face. Most scaffold-grade plank nominally measures 2 in. by 10 in. Actual dimensions are typically 1-1/2 inches by 9-1/2 inches. This applies to both sawn and manufactured plank. If this is the case, it will take six planks to completely deck a 5-ft wide frame. Many times, heavy tools and building materials are placed on the plank in addition to workers. Contractors need to remember to review the plank load chart that is in the appendix to the OSHA Standards for Scaffolding to ensure the maximum load capacity of the plank is not exceeded. Let's talk for a minute about laminated plank. This is a manufactured, wood plank product that's made from layers of thin, dried veneers, which are both visually and ultrasonically graded to meet specific standards. Similar safety rules apply for manufactured walkboards as well. Walkboards are typically made from aluminum with either a plywood top or aluminum top and measure 19 in. wide. Load-bearing capacities are normally stamped right on the walkboard and are usually either 50 lbs per sq ft or 75 lbs per sq ft, depending on the length and width of the walkboard. Capacities for both plank and walkboards assume uniform loading to reach their rated capacities, not point loads. Point loads have the entire load centered in one spot instead of a uniform distribution of the weight along the entire length and width of the plank or walkboard. Other walkboards Continued on page 12 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 11 Planks and Platforms Continued from page 11 can be constructed of steel, or steel and expanded metal. Using these materials may allow contractors to attain higher load capacities than are normally attainable with either wood or manufactured plank. Selecting Scaffold Plank When buying or renting scaffold frames and planking, contractors need to consider their needs carefully and be prepared to answer three important questions. What materials will be used on the job? 1. 2. 3. How will those materials be stocked and stored? How many workers will be working from a scaffold plank at one time? Masonry work generally is considered light-duty (25 per sq ft) or medium-duty (50 per sq ft) loading, but this doesn’t always hold true. A scaffold plank that must hold palletized brick or block, or accommodate several workers at a time, may need to be rated for heavy-duty (75 per sq ft) loading. Instead of assuming uniform loading, contractors should assess their material loading process and determine how much actual point loading they have. For example, each worker with tools is considered a 250-lb load. OSHA and ANSI standards define oneperson loading as 250-lb placed at the center of the plank or deck span. Twoperson loading is 250 lbs placed 18 in. to the left and right of midspan. Threeperson loading assumes 250-lb loads at each of the points noted above, one in the center and one 18 in. left and right of midspan. The distance a plank spans between supports is also important. The permissible span depends on the size, strength and stiffness of the plank, as well as the loads imposed. Proper Installation and Use Selecting adequate plank is only part of overall plank safety. Plank also 12 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry must be correctly installed and used properly to help prevent accidents. Ideally, planking should come within a few inches of the wall, although OSHA does allow a distance of up to 14 in. Adjacent parallel planks should be no more than 1-in. apart to prevent workers and tools from falling through any gaps. All planks should be secured to supporting brackets, bearers, or ledgers to minimize plank movement, or plank ends should extend 6 in. to 12 in. beyond the supporting members and overlap other planks by at least 12 in., with the overlap at the supports, not the midspan. Most contractors, though not equipped to perform sophisticated deflection testing on used plank, can visually monitor their plank for excessive deflection. As a general rule, Southern yellow pine, Douglas fir, and manufactured plank that deflects more than 1/60th of the span when loaded is considered overloaded. When this occurs, the load should be redistributed, or the planks rejected. Maintaining Scaffold Plank Contractors should treat scaffold plank as the important safety equipment it is. Because impact loads can affect a plank’s serviceability, don’t drop or throw it. Load planks carefully and store them in a safe place, away from potential damage from forklifts or other machinery. Don’t use the ‘gorilla jump’ testing method. Laminated veneer lumber is most susceptible to damage. Band plank ends with metal to prevent splitting. Clean mortar off plank and store it properly between jobs. Don’t use plank for mud sills and then reuse it on the scaffold, as this will overload and weaken it. Routinely inspect plank for visible damage and never paint scaffold plank, since paint can conceal defects. If notches, cracks, or saw kerfs are found in plank, they must be cut shorter to eliminate hazards. Metal banding or rodding may reinforce plank with splits. Be aware, too, that not all damage is visible. Plank that has been overloaded or subjected to severe impact may be weakened, even if it’s apparently intact. Some people advocate periodic re-testing and re-certification of scaffold plank to detect such damage, but this procedure is neither required nor widely practiced. Still, if a contractor suspects that a plank has been overstressed and has any doubts about its condition, it should be rejected. Consider the reduction in a plank’s load-carrying capacity caused by high moisture content (above 19%). If plank is sold and used green, or is treated with fire-retardant chemicals, refer to grading standards for any necessary adjustments to safe spans and loadings. Rainwater on the face surface of plank normally has little effect on its moisture content, but water entering the ends of plank can. Plank ends should be sealed, while the ends of cut plank should be resealed. Check the weight of plank that gets thoroughly wet on the job. If a plank is unusually heavy, it may have absorbed enough water to negatively affect its strength. Manufactured wood plank may be more susceptible to moisture absorption than solid-sawn plank. If manufactured wood plank gets soaked, or even if it is exposed to prolonged periods of high humidity, consult the plank manufacturer. ■ Chuck Hutchinson is vice president sales & marketing for Bil-Jax, Inc. in Archbold, Ohio. He may be reached at (419) 445-8915. This article first appeared in Masonry Magazine. www.scaffold.org New Product Planks and Platforms From Concept To Reality Bothwell introduces lightweight and durable alternative to traditional scaffold planking The Bothwell Plank System is a new innovative composite scaffold plank designed for, and compatible with, existing frame and system scaffolding. The plank is a unique lightweight and durable alternative to the current scaffolding platforms on the market today. It meets or exceeds all OSHA/ANSI standards for access platforms. A few of the features and benefits of the plank are that it is non-conductive, www.scaffold.org non-corrosive, non-slip and non-lap. It won't absorb water, is chemical resistant and light weight and can be ordered in custom colors. Inventor Tim Bothwell Bothwell set scaffolding for 15 years and owned and operated his own company for 12 of those years. His fascination with Lego blocks and Erector sets led him to an inevitable career in scaf- folding. At 23 he started his own scaffolding company, Bothwell Custom Scaffolding, which gained industry recognition, with a reputation for innovation and setting more specialized and complex jobs. During those years, he thought a plastic plank made sense, but did not take the idea seriously until after he sold his company in 1998. After designing his first plank Continued on page 15 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 13 Planks and Platforms Continued from page 13 in 1999, Bothwell filed a patent application, established Bothwell Enterprises Inc. and made a full-time commitment to the project. A U.S. patent was issued in August 2002, a second one issued in August 2006. Two additional patents are currently pending. Design and Development It took seven years with a team of top designers, engineers, and manufacturers from around the world to bring this plank to fruition. It wasn’t until his introduction to CEO Peter Bemis, of Bemis Manufacturing in Sheboygan Falls, Wis. in 2002 that the plank development moved into high gear. Bemis took a personal interest and, with no hesitation, put a team of experts on the project. One team member was Roy Watson, an industrial design consultant with a vast experience in plastics design. He spent 11 years with G.E. Plastics in Europe and the U.S. where he was manager of advanced design and development. For the last 15 years he has been president of his own company, Trigpoint Design. With Bothwell’s scaffolding expertise and Watson’s design-engineering and plastics experience they made a great team in designing an interlocking scaffolding plank system compatible with the traditional steel and aluminum scaffolding frames used today. It was Bemis who insisted on a non-lap system, constantly reminding the team to “think outside the box.” After an exhaustive period of design, development, and fine-tuning, the result was the Bothwell Plank System, a system made of hollow planks, with steel-reinforced injection molded hooks. After another two years of design improvements, prototypes were developed and tested for the best manufacturing process. Ultimately, a pultrusion process proved the most successful in creating a strong, stiff, lightweight plank. The endconnectors are injection molded thermoplastic reinforced with a steel insert. Although Bemis was the perfect company to develop the injection molded end connector it was not set up for the www.scaffold.org pultrusion process. Bemis brought in a pultrusion specialist, Chris Edwards, of Fulcrum Composites. Edwards had performed the engineering and strength analyses for the planks and introduced Bothwell to Alfonso Branca, president of TopGlass s.p.a., one of the world’s foremost pultrusion companies, based in Milan, Italy. Branca had an interest and passion for the project right away, and in September 2004, the first planks were produced using the pultrusion process at TopGlass. These planks, made from a composite of polyester resin and glass fiber reinforcement manufactured by Owens Corning, became the backbone of the whole system. Testing and Improvements Bothwell and TopGlass designed a special test machine to comply with OSHA and ANSI standards. The testing equipment tested for real life usage. State-of-the-art testing equipment was developed to establish design values and working load capabilities. In addition, a “longevity machine” which runs 24/7 tested the plank at various weights and positions to simulate continuous use. The knowledge gained during this constant testing since 2004 has resulted in several design improvements to the plank and the overall system. Several other improvements to the system have included a patented non-slip surface which works in wet and dry conditions and is permanently embedded in the surface of the plank. Field testing began in Southern California in September 2005. Working closely with contractors, the BothContinued on page 17 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 15 16 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org Planks and Platforms weight of just over 32,000 lbs. This reflects a 40% weight difference. Continued from page 15 well Plank System was rigorously field tested. After use, contractors offered input on changes and improvements. Improvements included the patented locking pin design now used to fasten the connector to the plank. This pin allows for easy removal of the end connector from the plank should it be damaged or a need arise to shorten the plank. The plank can be cut to any length and the connector reassembled with a new pin and, voila, a shorter plank! Another improvement was the plastic material for the end connector, thanks to Richard Gagliardone, territory development manager for BASF Corp., Engineering Plastics. Although the current material was working, there was still room for improvement on the impact testing. During this time, Gagliardone was introduced to the project and was convinced BASF had a better resin with the right impact strength for the end connector. He was right! BASF-the Chemical Co. is headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany with its NAFTA headquarters located in Florham Park, N.J. It has provided Bothwell with incredible resources in engineering and testing and is now the designated material supplier for the www.scaffold.org end connector and locking pin. The biggest discovery was the unexpected benefits of the lightweight construction. For example, last summer Sahara Scaffolding Co. of Riverside, Calif., was contracted to erect scaffold on a local four-story job. The job used 801 Bothwell planks ranging from 3 to 10 ft. with no overlap and a total plank weight of 19,483 lbs. Measuring the job with wood plank using 6-, 9- and 12-ft. overlapping planks, the job would have used 818 planks for a total Sales and Marketing Bothwell recognized early on that they would need to team up with a sales and marketing team that understands the access platform market. Bothwell chose Kennison Forest Products, Inc., of Sulphur, LA. Kennison has been a leader in the scaffold access market and an active SIA member for over 20 years. “The Bothwell plank raises the bar for all system styled planks. It delivers on the promises where other system styled planks have fallen short,” Kennison Forest Products western sales manager and SIA California and Hawaii president John Warlikowski. “We are looking forward to working closely with Tim and his partners to help introduce one of the most innovative planking systems that the scaffolding industry has seen in many years.” Their market knowledge left them the obvious choice and partner. Bothwell Enterprise has teamed up with Kennison Forest Products and signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement for North and South America. “We are excited to be the exclusive distributor for the Bothwell Plank System,” said Kennison Forest Products vice-president and general manager Jared Kennison. “The Bothwell Plank System will allow us to service wider markets and our new customer base.”■ Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 17 Column Suspended Corner Platform Options for Suspended Applications Modular platforms become the industry standard By John Purtle In the early years of our industry, suspended scaffold platforms were the ladder type, also known as “fixed length.” These platforms were simple to use. If you wanted a platform, or board, to lift two persons, you purchased a 500-lb rated board. If you wanted three persons to use the platform, you purchased a board with a 750-lb. capacity. made two person crews mandatory for delivery. As the lengths exceeded 30 ft, larger trucks were required to deliver these platforms legally to the jobsite. When these platforms were damaged on site it was always difficult to bill adequately for the damage. If a customer damaged the end of a 36-ft platform, some dealers would bill out a proportional charge for length lost. Modular platforms should have eliminated some unsafe practices within the industry, by making them unnecessary. Rating this style of platform was as easy as looking at the side information tag on the deck. It was so simple that it was used in OSHA and industry related books as a standard. Even to this day, this style of platform is considered the standard in some areas of the country. This platform had several drawbacks when compared to modular style platforms. Because the platform was fixed in its length, the longer versions were heavy and difficult to transport. The longer lengths, above 20 ft, 18 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry Even if they added in the extra parts that needed to be ordered, it never really covered the costs of damage. The dealer originally purchased a 36-in. platform, because that is what they rented. Though they could still rent the repaired and shortened platform, they did not have a 36-in. platform to rent. Therefore they had to purchase another 36-in. long platform, and after a few years they had a yard full of 20-in. platforms and some odd sizes. Modular Style Platforms After several years of trials, modular platforms began to catch on, at least for the more complicated building faces. Modular platforms allowed the rental company to access many more areas of the building, safer than ever before. Modular style platforms had corners with different size angles. Working inside and outside of a tank, a tower, or on the latest new building was easier than ever. The corners came in standard sizes and could be used to build squares, rectangles, triangle and circular style platforms to meet the building's need. Modular platforms are lightweight and easy to assemble. Longer length platforms are now being delivered in smaller vehicles with only one person. With a little training, even the longest modular platform can be set up with only one person. Modular platforms should have eliminated some unsafe practices within the industry, by making them unnecessary. The unsafe practice of raising a platform into position at an angle should have disappeared with modular platforms. With fixed length www.scaffold.org Suspended Corner boards some people decided that raising platforms at an angle was the only way to install this type of platform when obstructions were encountered at the base of the building. This practice is not considered safe or the designed use of the equipment. This practice was done when trees, landscaping or smaller buildings existed at the bottom of a building structure. When obstacles at the base of a building were encountered, other options for installing these platforms were considered too costly and labor intensive and therefore were not often used. This practice poses a new set of hazards not originally present in the normal use of suspended scaffolding and should be stopped. Depending on the easily accomplished with fixed length boards. Since the modular platform is constructed from pieces, rental operators now have the ability to bill just for the damage incurred with no penalty. Modular platforms have so many options that most platforms are easily constructed without special engineering. Modular platforms have truly increased the capacity of suspended scaffolding in many ways. The Process of Rating a Modular Platform Fixed length boards offered three standard load ratings for their boards, 500, 750 and 1,000 lbs. Modular platforms have achieved load ratings much higher than this. Pricing is directly related to the number of parts and labor that goes into the production of the item. job site conditions, this practice can transfer unanticipated loads and forces to the equipment. These forces can cause damage to the equipment and possibly injure the operators. Some of the original perceived drawbacks of modular platforms were price, weight and the number of parts. Modular platforms were made from many pieces, which has been one obstacle to their overall adoption within the industry. More pieces meant more complicated estimating, order pulling and rental check-in. More pieces also meant more training for parts identification. Many of the advantages of modular platform come directly from the same drawbacks. Pricing is directly related to the number of parts and labor that goes into the production of the item. The number of parts associated with a modular platform gives a rental dealer, or equipment owner, more flexibility with the same pieces. Round, circular and various other shaped platforms are not www.scaffold.org Though modular can achieve a higher load rating, for some persons, determining what is the actual load rating is difficult. The simple answer is, just look at the chart on the side of the platform. The load rating of a platform is equal to lifting capacity of hoist(s) minus total weight of platform, if this number is less than, or equal to, the printed rating. The load rating may also be the printed load rating on the side of the platform when the platform is constructed according to the attached chart only if the combined lifting capacity of the hoists being used is equal to, or greater than, the selfweight of the platform and the live load capacity combined. Let's define a few terms first. The “self-weight” of a platform is the combined weights of all items on, or that are part of a platform. This would include the components that make up the platform, the stirrups, the hoists, the wire rope, the power cord and any- thing else that is connected to the platform. This is sometimes referred to as the “dead load” or “dead weight”. The “Load Rating” of a platform, also known as “Live Load” rating, is the combined weight of objects that are added to, or are lifted by the platform. Things that would be added to the platform include the workers, their tools, and their materials. Once the terms are known, calculating the platform load rating is done with a basic math formula (described above.) For example, a modular platform has a printed load rating of 2,000 lbs. when constructed according to the provided chart. The platform is using two hoists with a lifting capacity of 750 lbs. each. Your actual load rating will be no higher than 1,500 lbs. If this platform has a self-weight of 1,000 lbs. your load rating would drop to just 500 lbs. in this example. Did You Know? • The number one myth about modular platforms is that the longer the platform, the more load it can lift. Longer platforms usually decrease your load rating because their selfweight increases with length. •Many modular platforms display a load rating with this disclaimer; “Evenly distributed weight or loading applies.” This means that you cannot place the full load rating at any one position on the platform. It must be an evenly distributed or spread out load. Tips and Tricks •On a mod platform with end stirrups, lay the stirrup down and attach the hoist. Raise the hoist and the stirrup into position using the hoist with power applied to it. ■ John Purtle is with Power Climber in Tukwila, Wash. Comments can be sent to him at 365 Upland Drive, Tukwila, WA 98188. Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 19 Scaffolding work on a hot day or in the rain is something people certainly don’t relish. With Alum-A-Pole’s Alum-AShade this discomfort can be virtually a thing of the past. The Alum-A-Pole Scaffolding System uniquely provides the ability to work comfortably and safely at the exact height required. OSHA recognized to a 50 working height. Joinable horizontally and vertically to provide positive securement and pick-up truck portability. Our bright yellow Saf-T-Net offers job site sign capability. A non-overlapping continuous staging walkway system meets ANSI standard #21.2. Call 1-800-421-2586 today for more information or visit our web site. www.alumapole.com © Alum-A-Pole Corporation 2005 Scranton, PA. Patents Issued & Others Pending MEMBER OF MEMBER OF Manufacturer of Scaffolding, Shoring & Accessories Why Rent When You Can Buy For Less? 877-890-8490 281-890-6150 fax [email protected] 11203 Grant Road, Cypress,Texas 77429 USA www.stvaonline.com 20 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org www.scaffold.org Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 21 Scaffolding Today, Inc. Industrial Scaffold Division - System Scaffold STI is pleased to announce the opening of their Industrial Scaffold Division together with the launching of our new STI system scaffold product. This will now allow us to expand our supply service to include both sales and rent of system scaffold to industrial maintenance contractors and full service scaffold companies. STI provides all of the inherent benefits of a high quality product combined with a total commitment to service our customers ever demanding needs. STI system scaffold is manufactured to ISO 9001-2000 Standards and has been designed to meet and exceed ANSI an OSHA requirements. For further information, sale or rental pricing and technical data, call your nearest local STI office. New York 201. 330. 1188 Houston 281. 449. 7900 • Quality • Versatile • Productivity Philadelphia 215. 535. 3511 • Safety • Simplicity • Galvanized Toronto 416. 817. 7244 www.scaffoldingtoday.com 22 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org Column Standards Update ANSI A92 What's new for aerial work platform standards By Dave Merrifield The SIA is the secretariat for the aerial work platform industry standards (ANSI A92). There are seven standards covering most types of aerial work platforms. These include A92.2-2001 VehicleMounted, A92.3-2006 Manually Propelled, A92.5-2006 Boom-Supported, A92.6-2006 Self-Propelled (scissors), A92.7-1990 Airline Ground Support, A92.8-1993 Vehicle-Mounted Inspection and Maintenance Devices, and A92.9-Mast-Climbing. The SIA is the secretariat for this group and as such handles all of the administration duties including publishing and sale of the standards. Sale of the standards furnishes a significant income stream for SIA because every work platform must have a current standard on board. The consensus body is otherwise separate from SIA and answers to ANSI on issues of fairness, balance, due process, etc. There is a degree of prestige that The goal is to refresh all standards on a five-year cycle. New and emerging issues will be addressed by the subcommittees with the view to improve the standards and keep up with evolving designs and practices. Each standard has an associated subcommittee that reports to the main committee with draft standards. The main committee (officially the “consensus body”) votes on the draft standards, and when a consensus is reached, it passes the draft standard on to the American National Standards Institute for review and public comment. After dealing with the public review, the standard is published and becomes the standard of the industry, although compliance with it is technically voluntary. www.scaffold.org The goal is to refresh all standards on a five-year cycle. New and emerging issues will be addressed by the subcommittees with the view to improve the standards and keep up with evolving designs and practices. In the coming years, among other things, we will be addressing the relatively new International Standards Organization standards and thinking about how they may impact our national standards. Also, we conduct routine business at this meeting such as membership changes and subcommittee updates. ■ Dave Merrifield, of Merrifield Safety Consulting LLC in St. Joseph, Mo., is the chairman of the ANSI/SIA A92 Committee. He can be reached at (816) 364-1540 or [email protected]. reflects back to SIA because the ANSI/SIA standards are pre-eminent in the industry and are regarded as the authority on design and use of aerial platforms. SIA's secretariat also collaborates with AWPT (Aerial Work Platform Training Inc.) and IPAF (International Powered Access Federation). Each year the main committee and various subcommittees-about 70 to 80 members and guests-meet. At this year's meeting we were able to announce the publication of three new standards. Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 23 Column Monitoring Mastclimbers Mastclimbers to Receive Regulatory Focus SIA active in new mast climbing work platform safety initiative Members of the Scaffold Industry Association and International Powered Access Federation recently took part in a two-day workshop aimed at improving regulations for the use of mast climbing work platforms in the United States. The event was a meeting of a committee formed by the Center for Protection of Workers Rights, a nonprofit organization created by the AFL-CIO's Building and Construction Trades Department. Since the inception of research initiatives in 1990, the CPWR has become an international leader in applied research, training and service to the construction industry. In November 2005, at its 12th Engineering and Work Practice Controls Group meeting, the CPWR identified mast climbing work platforms, or MCWPs, as an area of interest for the committee's 2006 meeting. Among members of the 18-person committee were Kevin O'Shea, IPAF and Aerial Work Platform Training U.S. liaison for MCWPs, and A92.9 Committee joint chairmen Greg Janda and Jay Gordon. The committee also included union training directors, OSHA senior officers and related industry experts. One of the areas of powered access that has seen continued significant growth in the U.S. is the MCWP. On many jobsites the MCWP is now an essential tool for masons, stucco contractors and a fast-growing range of other contractors. However, when a product grows in use as quickly as MCWPs, there is a critical need to make sure there are adequate regulations, 24 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry industry standards, training and other measures needed to promote safe use. The purpose of the two-day inten- sive program was to identify new, more stringent legislation, which would effectively control and manwww.scaffold.org Monitoring Mastclimbers There are many benefits in the working relationship between SIA and IPAF and there are new advantages presenting themselves every day. age MCWP use in the U.S. As identified in the mission statement and objectives, the work group aims to embark on important initiatives, such as: •Identifying more stringent standards and evaluating potential introduction or adoption in the U.S. •Evaluating the level of onsite expertise and determining training requirements. •Identifying methods for introduction of the identified improvements. The committee heard supplementary information in presentations by O'Shea and Janda. O'Shea discussed the MCWP market in the U.S. and MCWP use and regulation in Europe. Janda brought the committee up to speed on the SIA and its' secretariat of A92. While the findings of the committee are not yet published, O'Shea's presentation highlighted the areas that were big discussion points: •The lack of expertise in the U.S. MCWP market, which is being further exacerbated by MCWP population growth. •The immediate need for training and certification for users, installers, operators and instructors in addition to the training received by owners from manufacturers. •The need for in-depth risk analysis. •The identification and skills/experiential verification of the “competent person” and the “qualified person.” •Third-party verification of competent and qualified persons, installers, instructors and advanced users. •Minimum training durations and pretraining qualification criteria. •The need to identify common factors that could lead to accidents. •The need to identify how anchors, supwww.scaffold.org port structures and engineering changes should be managed and verified. •The need to identify what the user should be aware of before he or she begins to operate the MCWP. During his presentation, O'Shea told the group: “MCWP use is growing so fast in this country that legislation has fallen off pace, creating the potential for confusion. For instance, the distance an MCWP can be erected off the building face without having to fit front hand rails is found in fixed scaffold legislation, but an MCWP is a moving platform.” OSHA legislation is clear on certain areas that tend to be generic to the access industry. For example, the scaffold standards clearly define competent and qualified people. It also clearly defines the enclosed platform principle, as well as stipulating who should carry out training. But the ability, stipulated in the same OSHA standard, to erect a moving platform 18 in. away from the building face, without front handrails, is an example of where the CPWR workgroup can specifically analyze the merit of these apparent points of con- flict and suggest alternatives that are specific to the risk factors. One of the decisions the committee made early in the process was to send two members to Las Vegas to attend the A92.9 committee meeting. Having heard about the work done through the SIA and its secretariat of A92, the committee felt that there would be merit in close liaison. The A92.9 committee will have a firsthand account of what occurred during the two-day workshop. Although manufacturers train owners of equipment, there is immediate need for training and certification for users, installers, operators and instructors. “The MCWP industry was in the same position in the UK 10 years ago, and since the subsequent, and necessary, introduction of increased legislation and guidelines, MCWPs have gained the reputation as the safest method of powered access available,” O'Shea says. “It's time to act.” ■ upcoming issue... Look in the next month’s issue for articles on Innovative Access Applications For Advertising Rates or to submit an article, please call: Elizabeth Dambouradjian (832) 524-4947 Joan Callahan (972) 819-1496 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 25 Column Immigration Issues Understanding Immigration Law Construction industry must prepare for immigration raids By Leigh Ganchan During the spring and summer, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE)raided and prosecuted the key players of several businesses related to scaffolsding specialists and the construction industry, including: • May 2. ICE charged the owner of an Indiana stucco-related services business working at construction sites in seven Midwest states with money laundering, harboring illegal aliens, transporting illegal aliens and false statements in connection with an illegal employment scheme. The owner faces as many as 40 years in prison and criminal forfeiture of $1.4 million. His firm was allegedly able to undercut the bids of contractors to perform work at construction sites through cheap labor costs from undocumented workers. • May 9. ICE charged Fischer Homes' supervisors with harboring undocumented workers in a worksite enforcement investigation. ICE arrested four construction supervisors and 76 unauthorized workers at construction sites. • July 21. ICE agents arrested an Arkansas construction business owner on felony charges and apprehended 27 unauthorized workers. ICE also arrested the manager and a crew leader and determined that the framing company earned about $1.8 million last year using an undocumented workforce. ICE has stepped up efforts to prose- 26 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry cute those it deems to be “egregious corporate violators” - those that knowingly and directly employ illegal aliens. The government is also sending a strong message to companies that knowingly enter into contracts with those who employ undocumented aliens, or those who at least do not have a proper I-9 system in place, by holding such businesses liable for the unauthorized employment violations of subcontractors. Such a policy strongly affects scaffolding companies and anyone else who may have outdated policies regarding the detection of illegal aliens or who deal with unethical subcontractors. Given the increased likelihood of ICE conducting a worksite enforcement operation at any given construction site, construction executives would be well-advised to understand their responsibilities under the law and to put in place procedures for properly dealing with potential violations by the staff charged with administering the I-9 process for their company. The Law ICE expects companies using or providing contract work to terminate any workers on their site who are not authorized. This verification system is administered through the Form I-9 completion process. Violations of the employment eligibility verification system carry potential civil and criminal penalties. Potential Penalties Violations such as an error on the I9 Form or no I-9 at all can result in a company being fined $110 to $1,100 for each individual. For the knowing employment of unauthorized workers, ICE may assess one of three tiers of fines with an initial range of $250 to $2,000 fine for each unauthorized individual. For second and third violations, fines range from $2,000 to $5,000 and $3,000 to $10,000 respectively. Criminal penalties are also possible where there is a finding of a pattern or practice of violating the prohibition against knowingly hiring unauthorized workers. Penalties can be up to $3,000 for each unauthorized worker, imprisonment for up to six months or both. The regulations define “pattern or practice” as “regular, repeated and intentional activities” but not “isolated, sporadic or accidental acts.” It is also a crime punishable by five years in prison for any person to knowingly hire at least 10 individuals with actual knowledge that the individuals were unauthorized aliens who were illegally brought into the U.S. To be liable under this provision, the employer must have actual knowledge both of the alien's unauthorized status and of the fact that the aliens were brought into the U.S. illegally. In the last term, Congress considered legislation that would have significantly increased these penalties. www.scaffold.org Immigration Issues New Prosecution Trends In a new trend, ICE now typically pursues in U.S. District Court with the cooperation of the U.S. Attorney's Office charges for additional violations of federal law such as alien smuggling, alien harboring, document fraud, money laundering, immigration fraud or worker exploitation. In some cases executives have even been held personally liable for violations. Finally, private citizens or entities that have suffered damages due to companies that profit by violating U.S. immigration law can now bring a private lawsuit to enforce those laws. Harboring It is a federal crime to “harbor” illegal aliens, which encompasses concealing or shielding a foreign national when the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact the the foreign national is in the U.S. illegally. Harboring can include providing shelter and any action that helps an alien's unlawful presence in the U.S. Criminal penalties for harboring violations can be severe, especially if the violation is for commercial gain in which case the defendant can be fined, imprisoned for not more than 10 years or both. Even where commercial gain is not established a defendant can be imprisoned for up to five years. Document Fraud Corporations can also face criminal liability under various document fraud provisions. Penalties for such also include fines and prison time. Immigration Fraud It is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment ranging from terms of five to 20 years to knowingly make under oath any false statement with respect to a material fact in any application, affidavit or other document required by the immigration laws. It is also a criminal offense to knowingly present any such document that conwww.scaffold.org tains a false statement or that fails to contain any reasonable basis in law or fact. Additionally, an individual who helps a foreign national commit immigration fraud could also be found guilty as a conspirator. gling and harboring undocumented aliens. The RICO Act is now a strong tool in the hands of private parties against persons and companies that profit by violating U.S. immigration law. Individual Liability While most prosecutions focus on the activities of nonexecutive staff such as payroll, HR supervisors and general managers - lead executives can also be the target of a federal investigation. Pertinent regulations define “employer” for I-9 enforcement purposes as both corporate entities and individuals. There are various documented cases of the extension of personal liability to principals in addition to liability on the part of a corporation. For example, one CEO was held personally liable because he had stipulated to personally hiring the alleged undocumented aliens and had even provided transportation and board at his home for the undocumented workers so that they would be in a position to render employment services. Another court held the corporate principals personally responsible for hiring violations because they were closely involved in the hiring and supervising of company personnel. Violation Response and Preparation Given the range of potential issues, violations and penalties, executives should immediately review their company's employment eligibility verification compliance program. The existence of a written policy is the best assurance for managing the hiring process throughout an organization to avoid breaking the law. If a company does not have such a policy, then it should develop and implement one immediately. Where the possibility of potential mistakes exist, company executives should call for prompt and thorough investigations. Courts frequently consider an employer's response once they are put on notice of potential employment of unauthorized employees. In addition to consulting a qualified immigration attorney to assist with all phases of this process, executives should consider retaining a federal criminal law attorney to advise regarding criminal charges. ■ Organized Crime The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act allows private plaintiffs to seek compensation from any citizen or entity that causes injury to his business or property by engaging in a pattern of specific criminal acts. In 1996, Congress expanded RICO to include violations of federal immigration law. Under RICO, an entity that engages in a pattern of racketeering activity for financial gain can be held both criminally and civilly liable. Violations of immigration law that are now actionable under RICO include employing unauthorized workers, encouraging or inducing illegal immigration, smug- Leigh N. Ganchan is partner at the Houstonbased law firm of Epstein Becker Green Wickliff & Hall. She can be reached at (713) 750-3100 or at [email protected]. Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 27 Department OSHA Update OSHA Names New Executive Appointments SIA to open dialogue with new directorate of construction Assistant secretary of labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) assistant secretary of labor Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., recently announced key executive personnel appointments at the agency, including the appointment of two deputy assistant secretaries and a new chief of staff. for activities of OSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, and immigration-related issues relevant to DOL. Prior to arriving at the labor department, Little served for six years as senior director for government relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation. Shalhoub has held a variety of posi- “Initial contact has been made with the new faces within the office of the directorate of construction,” stated SIA president John R. Miller. “We look forward to working together in the very near future.” C. Bryan Little, formerly of the Department of Labor's (DOL) Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA), and Donald G. Shalhoub, formerly the ombudsman for Part E of the Labor Department's Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program, were appointed by Foulke as deputy assistant secretaries. Little served for more than four years as a senior legislative officer in OCIA managing congressional contacts 28 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry tions in the DOL's Office of the Solicitor since 1985, most recently as the deputy associate solicitor for the Occupational Safety and Health Division for more than 15 years. Shalhoub was appointed by the secretary of labor as the department's first ombudsman for Part E of the compensation program created by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. He served in that capacity since February 2005. Also joining OSHA as its new chief of staff is Gabe Sierra. For the past six years, Sierra worked for Emerson Process Management as a senior marketing manager, overseeing new technology development programs for the industrial process automation industry. Sierra also worked as a project manager for large scale construction projects in the petrochemical industry. As OSHA's chief of staff, Sierra will serve as a senior member of OSHA's management team and work with Foulke and others on agency policy, oversight and management. Finally, Foulke announced the appointments of Steven F. Witt as director of the directorate of construction, and Dorothy Dougherty as director of OSHA's Directorate of Standards and Guidance (DSG). Witt recently served as an acting deputy assistant secretary for OSHA and has been with OSHA since 1983. Dougherty, an OSHA professional since 1991, has been serving as the DSG's acting director for the past two years. “We are fortunate to have the caliber of professionals like these men and women in our agency,” Foulke said. “Their experience and long history in the safety and health community will only strengthen and improve OSHA's operations as we continue to further safety and health throughout this new century.” ■ www.scaffold.org Department Industry Briefs XServ to be Acquired by the Brock Group Aquisitions continue to reshape scaffold and access industry The Brock Group (Brock) has agreed to acquire XServ Inc. (XServ), a majority owned portfolio company of Mezzanine Management's Fund III. Terms of the acquisition agreement were not disclosed. With this acquisition, XServ will be merged into Brock. The combined business will be a provider of coatings, scaffolding and insulation for the country's industrial businesses. Operations of the two companies are spread throughout the United States, with additional operations in the Caribbean and South America. The combined business will have approximately 7,500 employees working at numerous locations. The companies will be held by Brock, which is owned by Lindsay Goldberg & Bessemer, a New Yorkbased investment partnership, the Brock family and members of management of the combined companies. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter 2007 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval. The acquisition is being funded with equity provided by Lindsay Goldberg & Bessemer and the Brock family as well as debt provided by Bank of America and JPMorgan. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is serving as counsel to Brock and Lindsay Goldberg & Bessemer. Porter & Hedges LLP is representing XServ. JPMorgan served as financial advisor to XServ. www.scaffold.org “Brad (Brock) and I believe this is a case where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” said Brock coCEO Todd Brock. “It allows us to take our 60 years of faithful service to our customers and add a company having similar values.” Brock and XServ provide a broad range of industrial specialty services. The combined company will be the premier multi-craft services provider, an agreement to be acquired by private equity firm First Reserve Corp. for $1.1 billion. First Reserve will acquire a majority of Brand's common stock from current owner J.P. Morgan Partners LLC. The agreement, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed by end of the first quarter. Paul Wood will remain president and CEO “We have successfully executed our business strategy over the last few years thanks to tireless work by our employees and loyal support from our customers.” allowing Brock to bundle services in ways that provide better productivity, greater safety and lower total installed costs for their customers. “Our combined philosophies are completely aligned,” said XServ CEO Mike McGinnis. “Brock and XServ are two excellent companies that are dedicated to fulfilling our customers' needs and we are not going to lose sight of that.” Private Equity Firm to Acquire Brand for $1.1B Kennesaw, Ga.-based Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services has reached and the existing senior management team will continue to lead Brand following the transaction. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our business and employees to partner with First Reserve in the next phase of Brand's evolution,” Wood said. “We have successfully executed our business strategy over the last few years thanks to tireless work by our employees and loyal support from our customers.” Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and Credit Suisse served as financial advisors to Brand in this transaction. Continued on page 30 Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 29 Industry Briefs Continued from page 29 “Brand is an excellent strategic fit for First Reserve and complements our other successful portfolio companies,” First Reserve Corp. director Timothy Day said. “As a world leader in scaffolding and related services, Brand is an important player in the energy infrastructure sector.” Marshall Named SIA Executive Director The Scaffold Industry Association welcomed Richard Marshall as executive director on Dec. 20. As executive director, Marshall assumes responsibilities for the operations of the SIA. ty and leadership development. She has worked with organizations in many industries including manufacturing, retail, hospitality, academia, local government and professional associations. Orey will work with the Accredited Training Institutes to further the goals and mission of the SIA training program. She can be reached at (619) 475-8397 or via email at [email protected]. Triton Buys Alimak Hek for $309M Private equity owners Ratos AB and 3i are selling their interest in Stockholm, Sweden-based Alimak Hek to private equity owner Triton for $309.4 “The additions of Mr. Marshall and Ms. Orey represent building blocks for the future of the SIA,” stated SIA president John R. Miller. “As we continue to implement and execute the specifics of our strategic plan, teamwork and professionalism for our staff is of paramount importance.” “The SIA welcomes Richard to the team,” said SIA president John Miller. “We are confident that his appointment will make a significant difference in the way services and benefits are provided to our membership.” Marshall joins the association from the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors where he served as the director of finance and technology for 13 years. He can be reached at (602)2571144 or via email at [email protected]. Orey Named SIA Director of Training and Education Maureen Orey has been named the new director of training and education for the Scaffold Industry Association. Orey stepped into the position in late November. She has over 20 years of experience in the fields of management, training, human resources, safe- 30 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry million. Triton is based in Stockholm, Frankfurt and London. 3i and Ratos invested in Alimak Hek in 2001. The acquisition generates profit of approximately $104 million and an IRR of 30% for 3i. “It has been great to be involved in the development of Alimak Hek. We have, together with management, completed a number of important acquisitions and developments,” said 3i Nordic director Christer Nilsson. “For example, we supported to establish a factory in China that enables Alimak Hek to have access to the important Asian market. Through our international network Alimak Hek has been able to build new useful contacts. Our targets set for the investment in Alimak Hek have been fulfilled.” Alimak Hek is a world leader in rack and pinion based vertical access. Key products include construction hoists, mast climbing work platforms, transport platforms and industrial lifts used for moving and lifting people and materials at a worksite. “Alimak Hek has had an exceptional development during the past five years. This progress comprises of restructurings, organic growth, two big acquisitions in the U.S. and Australia and starting new production in China. The group has now a very stable platform for further expansion,” said Alimak Hek managing director Petter Arvidson. ABG Sundal Collier and Mannheimer Swartling acted as advisors to the sellers. The sale of Alimak Hek is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities. Atlantic Industrial Names Sisney President Steven Sisney has been appointed president of Atlantic Industrial Inc. Sisney will be responsible for daily operations of the parent company and will manage Steven Sisney and direct the organization to meet its financial and strategic goals. “Steve's role as president will be to help us grow and improve the efficiency of our business as we continue to expand,” Atlantic Industrial chairman and CEO Pete Vrettakos said. “Steve was our top choice after a thorough and focused selection process.” Prior to joining Atlantic, Sisney worked for nearly 20 years at Cooper Industries Ltd. in a variety of positions including director of corporate development, president of the CrouseHinds division and, his most recent assignment, as president of the tool and hardware group. As group president, Sisney was responsible for 52 manufacturing and sales/service facilities and over 5,200 employees worldwide. During a two-year period, he was able to grow earnings by 70%. Sisney has a master of business adwww.scaffold.org Industry Briefs ministration from the Harvard Graduate School of Business and an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering from Texas A&M University. Lindemer Named President of SSFI Safway Services national engineering manager, product applications Dale Lindemer has been named president of the Scaffold, Shoring and Forming Institute. SSFI is a trade association whose members are manufacturers of scaffolding, suspending scaffolding, shoring, forming, planks, platforms and related components. It focuses on developing ANSI testing standards and promoting the safe use of its scope products. tion by previous chairman Bud Hayden who decided to step down after many years of service. Boehler's appointment was made official at a Nov. 7 meeting of the A92 main committee. The ANSI A92.6 subcommittee is responsible for the standard ANSI/SIA A96.2 Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms and any formal interpretations of the standard. Boehler has been active with the A92 committee and various subcommittees, such as A92.3 Manually Propelled Elevating Work Platforms, A92.5 Boom Supported Elevating Work Platforms, for the past four years. He is also involved with the Canadian CSA B354 Elevating Work Platforms Technical Committee and the ISO Technical Committee 214 (TC 214) - The ANSI A92.6 subcommittee is responsible for the standards ANSI/SIA A96.2 Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms. Lindemer has been with Safway for over 30 years. During his career with the company, he has been involved in many aspects of engineering and safety including applications, site visits and training. Among projects he has been involved with include Wisconsin State Capitol, Michigan State Capitol, Statue of Freedom, Pacific Bell and Soldiers & Sailors Monument. Lindemer holds numerous memberships, including National Fire Protection Association, International Code Council and SIA. He has served as an instructor for the scaffold class at the OSHA Training Institute and holds a degree in Architectural Building Construction Engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Boehler Appointed Chairman of ANSI A92.6 Subcommittee Skyjack Inc. director of product safety has been appointed chairman of the ANSI A92.6 subcommittee. Boehler was nominated for the posiwww.scaffold.org Elevating Work Platforms. Other industry associations include being an approved Aerial Work Platform Training (AWPT) instructor and serving on the AWPT Advisory Council as well as being chairman of the AWPT Practical Evaluation Working Group. Boehler is also a member of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) Manufacturer's Technical Committee and the FEM Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, Product Group. Safway Awarded Contract for Golden Gate Bridge Safway Services Inc. has signed a contract with the Golden Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation District to provide its QuikDeck suspended access system for the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The system will be used by workers to perform ongoing maintenance on the bridge. The QuikDeck access system is a suspended modular platform decking system used in bridge con- struction/repair, shipyards, offshore rigs, atriums, temporary stages and other uses. AWPT Hires Groat as Membership Director Aerial Work Platform Training has hired industry veteran Tony Groat as its North American membership development director. Groat is responsible for acquiring new members, training centers and developing services for IPAF's North American members. Based in Albany, IPAF is the parent organization of AWPT. Groat has been involved with the rental industry for 31 years, starting with Albany Ladder and NES Rental. During his career, he has held positions such as sales, COO, district manager and regional vice president. He was accountable for up to 20,000 rental assets (mostly AWPs and forklifts), 850 employees and 43 locations in 13 states. He is a past president of the North East Subcontractors Association, a former board member for Associated Equipment Distributors and a long-term member of the American Rental Association and the SIA. “Quality processes, procedures and training in all aspects of the business, including sales, service, delivery, are essential to achieve a safe work environment in the access industry,” Groat said. “I plan on enlisting many new members and AWPT training centers through increased awareness of AWPT, its training programs and the quality and value it brings to the industry. Having an industry standard for AWP training is the first critical step to ensuring compliance and implementation. The ultimate goal is to ensure safe operation of AWPs in the field.” Collins Appointed Branch Manager Mike Collins has been appointed as Safway Services Inc. Fort McMurray, Alberta branch manager. He will be responsible for branch operations and growth within the Fort McMurray market. Collins has 25 years of mechanical experience, including 15 years in management. ■ Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 31 Column Tech Trends Network Security As business moves to the Internet, security takes center stage Two of the most frequent topics of discussion with information technology (IT) clients are network security and network remote access. Usually the questions or concerns center on a specific element of these two broad subjects. Perhaps the question may be “is my virus protection up to date?” or “do we need a firewall?” or “how can I access my files from home?” and network. At least three type of files fall into this category: viruses, trojan horses, and worms. These items are similar in that they attempt to compromise your system, though they have distinctive characteristics. A computer virus is malicious code attached to another file. It spreads in a similar fashion to biological viruses in the human body, which infect healthy A worm is similar to a virus except for one distinction - it replicates on its own, without user intervention. It may send out multiple copies of itself to multiple sites. Often this is accomplished by using an email address book to redirect the worm to other targets. These may not necessarily seem related, but each of these issues centers around network security. Volumes can and have been written about network security. Here, we are going to break down the subject of network security into the following categories: malicious programs, deliberate intrusion and compromise, firewalls and operating system security. Finally, we will discuss remote connectivity as it applies to network security. Malicious Programs Malicious programs are programsdesigned to harm your computer, data 32 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry cells in order to replicate. Viruses require human intervention to infect other sites. Usually the executable file that contains the malicious code must be deliberately opened. A worm is similar to a virus except for one distinction - it replicates on its own, without user intervention. It may send out multiple copies of itself to multiple sites. Often this is accomplished by using an email address book to redirect the worm to other targets. Trojan horses masquerade as useful software, but are actually harmful. This false veneer lures users to open the program, whereby it may do damage. Unlike viruses or worms, trojans do not replicate or reproduce. Deliberate Attacks Unfortunately, many times threats are not random or untargeted, such as the malicious programs outlined above. Rather, they are deliberate attacks aimed at compromising a network. Often times these types of threat comes from existing or former employees, or other people familiar with the network. These individuals may know sensitive passwords, the location of corporate data, or have institutional knowledge regarding the best way to disrupt office workflow. Corporate policies limiting employee access to data and terminating accounts and passwords after employee termination are paramount in addressing this issue. Attempts to compromise the network by outside agents, either opportunistically or with a specific goal of obtaining information or causing damage, are also a potential threat. A key factor in mitigating these attacks - like thwarting a burglary attempt - is to make it as difficult as possible for the intruder to gain entry. Some ways to achieve these impediments are instituting firewalls, requiring strong passwords and mandating internal security policies. It is also very important to keep operating systems maintained with the latest service releases and security patches. www.scaffold.org Tech Trends Firewalls In the preceding section, the use of a firewall was mentioned. A firewall is a system that assists in preventing unauthorized access to a computer or network. Both hardware- and softwarebased firewalls exist. Software firewalls can only protect a single PC, since they are software programs that run in the background of the machine. Hardware firewalls are necessary to protect a network of computers. A hardware firewall is a device (box) that, in most configurations, is installed between internal local corporate network equipment and a company's Internet interface. ing systems in your environment are vendor-supported. Another reason is that software application vendors write code for the most up-to-date operating systems. For example, Symantec Corporate Antivirus 10.x will not run on Windows NT 4.0 Server - a Microsoft operating system that Microsoft no longer supports - even though many users still employ it in a production environment. Any operating system has flaws, such as security holes, program inefficiencies and downright errors. Operating system vendors remedy omissions and problems on a consistent and frequent basis. Firewalls will not prevent virus attacks. They are one layer of network protection. Firewalls will not prevent virus attacks. They are one layer of network protection. Firewalls are configured to allow authorized network traffic and disallow unauthorized data packets both inbound to a network and outbound to the Internet and ultimately its intended destination. Operating System Security A very important additional layer of security for your network is operating system security. An operating system is the program that runs your computer or file server. Examples are Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista, which debuted in January from Microsoft. Though there are many operating system vendors, most corporate desktops and servers use Microsoft. For this article, I will assume that Microsoft is the operating system vendor in your office. Microsoft and other vendors provide support for their operating systems for a finite number of years. This is one reason to make sure the operatwww.scaffold.org It is extremely important to maintain operating systems by reviewing and installing critical security updates and service packs. Service packs are generally large re-writes of the operating system that address myriad flaws, enhancements and security lapses. Often times, the vendors offer optional updates and device driver updates that are not critical for security, but that provide enhanced performance or convenience. Many applications or productivity software (e.g. Microsoft Word, or Excel) have security deficiencies as well. This allows an attacker another potential port of entry to cause mischief. For this reason, application program updates should be reviewed and applied as necessary. Remote Network Connectivity Earlier in this article, the topic of remote network connectivity was broached. Remote network connectivity is just a stilted way of saying connecting to your office network from out- side the network. In the past, this was accomplished by using two modems and a phone line. A user could “dial in” to the remote office network through modem connections and access a single computer. Although the speed of the connection has increased with the widespread availability of broadband connections, the communication software supporting these connections is much the same. When a user runs an application on a Windows 2000- or Windows 2003-based terminal server, all of the application execution takes place on the server and only the keyboard, mouse and display information are transmitted over the network. Each user sees only his or her individual session, which is managed transparently by the server operating system and is independent of any other client session. Many companies are incorporating remote access rights into their employee policy and procedures. When this is the case, it is imperative to monitor login user names and passwords as well as safe IP addresses to ensure that unauthorized access to the network is not given to persons masquerading as authorized users. Conclusion As more business activity moves to the Internet, companies should implement a comprehensive approach to proactive security policy that includes monitoring the network and testing for penetration of security holes in the network. Done correctly, it will reduce risk and computer down time and impact a company's bottom line. ■ Brian D. Beard is vice president of technology for Facchina Strategic Planning, Inc., a diversified information technology and marketing firm based in Edgewater, Md. He may be reached at [email protected] Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 33 For advertising rates and information, contact: Elizabeth Dambouradjian (832) 524-4947 or Joan Callahan (972) 819-1496 To submit an article, contact Natalie Keith, Editor [email protected] Now Available Manuals of Responsibilities for Aerial Work Platforms The Scaffold Industry Association announces now available 2006 Manuals of Responsibilities ANSI/SIA A92.5 Boom Supported Elevating Work Platforms ANSI/SIA A92.3 Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms For Dealers, Owners, Users and Operators, Lessors and Lessees. Section 5.2.2 of the standard (A92.3 2006 & A92.5 2006) The current Manual of Responsibilities for dealers, owners, users, operators, lessors, lessees and brokers .... shall be provided and stored in the weather resistant storage compartment. To order your copies, visit our website at www.scaffold.org. For 2006 any questions, please contact Aimee Siems via email at [email protected]. 34 DECEMBER Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org 34 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org Schedule Of Events SIA New Members Mobley Industrial Services P.O. Box 596 Deer Park, TX 77536 (281) 470-9120 www.mobleyservices.com Contact: Juan Granados Industry Events March 11-15 ConExpo-ConAgg Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nev. April 4-5 INTEX Expo 2007 Interior Exterior Commercial Construction Walt Disney World Lake Buena Vista, Fla. April 23-29 BAUMA 2007 Munich World Trade Fair Center Munich, Germany www.bauma.de May 22-25 NPRA Reliability & Maintenance Conference & Exhibition George R. Brown Convention Center Houston, Texas June 24-26 Safety 2007 Exposition ASSE Orange County Convention Center Orlando, Fla. SIA Events July 15-21 35th Annual Convention & Expo Hyatt Regency Long Beach and Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, Calif. Were You Not Entertained President’s Message continued from page 5 majority of the largest scaffold manufacturers that disallowed the practice of tying off to scaffolds. Times change. Thinking changes. Associations change. This revision represents the flexibility and proactive thinking that the new SIA should be known for. The initial success of these two councils is truly gratifying as they represent future membership growth, along with outreach to the end users, and a more complete scaffold & access association. Committee Week also brought out another important aspect of our associations future as many international members were in attendance. Members from China, Japan, Peru, Holland, Canada, Finland, and the United Kingdom were www.scaffold.org present and involved in council functions. As more scaffold & access products enter the United States from abroad, these foreign companies turn to the SIA for guidance, education and insight. Make no mistake, protecting workers at height is a global initiative. For those of you who attended Committee Week, I thank you. For those of you who did not, I hope to see you in Long Beach as we have a special celebration planned to commemorate our association's 35th anniversary. Stay tuned. What's next!. ■ John R. Miller owns and operates the Millstone Companies based in Upper Marlboro, Md. He can be reached at (602) 257-1144 or emailed at [email protected]. NES Rentals 8770 West Bryn Mawr Chicago, IL 60631 (773) 695-2730 www.nesrentals.com Contact: Teresa Kee Oncore Construction 4703 Webster St. Bladensburg, MD 20710 (301) 927-7700 www.oncoreconstruction.com Contact: Martin Wetzler Robert Sons Masonry Inc. 946 West Medina Road Marshall, WI 53551 (608) 438-7161 Contact: Mike Lochner Scaffold Gold 138 50th Ave. SE Calgary, AB T2G 2A8 (403) 663-1380 www.scaffoldgold.com Contact: Harrison Tse Summit Swing Stage 12038-28 St. NE Edmonton, AB T6S 1H4 (780) 406-2099 www.summitswingstage.com Contact: Blake McGrath Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 35 Advertisers’ Index 4 Action Scaffold Mfg. actionscaffold.com 34 Advantage Lumber IBC Hydro-Mobile, Inc. hydro-mobile.com 14 Kennison Forest Product kennisonforest.com 2 SIA Insurance ncisltd.com OBC Strong Man Building Prod. strongman.com 4 Allied Tube and Conduit alliedflo-form.com 1 Klimer Mfg. klimer.com 20 STVA Scaffold stvaonline.com 20 Alum-A-Pole Corp. alumapole.com 20 Scaffold Depot scaffolddepot.com IFC Universal Mfg. universalscaffold.com 16 BASF basf.com 22 Scaffolding Today, Inc. scaffoldingtoday.com 10 Direct Scaffold Supply directscaffoldsupply.com 34 Scaffold Industry, Asso. scaffold.org 22 Falcon Ladder falconladder.com 36 Scaffold Industry, Asso. scaffold.org 36 FEBRUARY 2007 Scaffold Industry www.scaffold.org www.scaffold.org Scaffold Industry FEBRUARY 2007 ibc3