February 2009 Vol. 64 No.2
General
Active Time For APCA
The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) closed 2008 stronger than ever, although the worldwide recession began to be felt at the end of the year, says Sean Sullivan, whose one-year term as association president will end next month.
“The last two years have been a good time for our industry,” Sullivan said. “Our members have been busy and association membership is up. However, we did see some projects of our members delayed or canceled due to economic factors, including credit markets and restrained capital for planned work.”
As it has since its establishment in 1971, Sullivan said APCA continues to represent the interests of merit shop pipeline contractors, promoting their mutual interests and addressing industry concerns of its members and associates. APCA services range from security issues to providing key industry information and assistance such as continuing education on labor and employment, laws and regulations governing the pipeline industry, along with safety, environmental quality, and drug and alcohol issues.
OSHA alliance
Sullivan termed APCA’s two year alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) a success. Under the alliance, OSHA and APCA work together to increase access for industry employees to safety and health information and outreach programs. Both organizations have developed and disseminated injury and hazard information at conferences and events, and through print and electronic media, including using OSHA and APCA web sites.
The alliance has included development of a Best Practices for operation of excavators, backhoes, dozers, excavation and trenching equipment, horizontal directional drilling equipment, sidebooms and testing for personnel who do pressure testing. Separate Best Practices were developed for supervisors in excavation and trenching, horizontal directional drilling and pressure testing.
Best Practices can be viewed and downloaded as pdf files from the association web site. Another two year alliance between the two organizations will run through 2011, said Sullivan.
Sullivan is chief operating officer of Elkhorn Construction in Evanston, WY. He will be succeeded as APCA president by Pat Simpson, president of Sterling Construction Co., Rifle, CO, who takes office in March at the APCA annual meeting.
J.D. Lormand is association executive director. For more information, call (337) 278 0056 or go to the APCA web site, www.americanpipeline.org.
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