February 2014, Vol. 69 No. 2
Features
Shale Plays Contribute To A Busy Year For APCA
The American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) and its members had a busy and productive 2013, reported Nick Bruno, association president.
“Most members enjoyed another busy year with shale plays continuing to provide opportunities for member companies,” he pointed out. “In most areas, it is difficult to find and retain good employees which, we believe, will be an ongoing challenge for the next few years.”
During 2013, association membership increased in both regular and associate member categories, Bruno added.
APCA is a national association of merit shop pipeline and station contractors dedicated to promoting the mutual interests of its contractor and associate members by addressing pipeline industry concerns and providing a key resource for critical industry information to its membership, including continuing education and information about labor and employment issues and timely updates about laws, regulations and pending legislation affecting the pipeline industry.
Continuing education on safety, environmental quality and drug and alcohol challenges also are important elements in the association’s overall goals.
A key element in the association’s safety initiative is its alliance with OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration), said Bruno.
“Originally executed in 2007, renewed in 2009 and renewed again for two years in 2012, the alliance agreement will expire in 2014,” said Bruno. “We have been in discussion with OSHA and are working on a five-year alliance renewal.”
Through the alliance, APCA and OSHA work together to provide the association’s members and others in the pipeline construction industry – including small businesses and non-English and limited-English speaking employees, with information, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect the health and safety of employees. The alliance particularly addresses reducing and preventing exposure to equipment operation such as bulldozers, excavators and trenchers, and hydrostatic testing hazards.
Goals
The alliance’s goals also include raising awareness of OSHA’s rule making and enforcement initiatives by sharing information on occupational safety and health laws and standards, including the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
The Safety Zone on the association’s web site contains toolbox talks and power point presentations available in both English and Spanish.
Also relating to safety, Bruno said the association is working on production of safety videos which are designed as a training tool for field crews and will be shared among association members and with others in the industry.
APCA communicates information and ideas through newsletters and meetings which serve as forums for discussion of concerns and implementation of projects for the association. The 2013 annual meeting was held the past March in Kiawah Island, SC, and the midyear meeting was in September in New Orleans, LA. Association members also participated in NAOSH (North American Occupational Safety and Health) meetings as well as Caterpillar Safety Group roundtable discussions.
Bruno is division manager for Bi-Con Services Inc. His term as president will end at the APCA’s 2014 annual meeting scheduled Feb. 26 through March 2 in Santa Barbara, CA. At that meeting, Sean Renfro, senior vice president, Sunland Construction Inc., will assume the office of president.
APCA was founded in 1971 as a regional alliance of contractors to promote mutual interests and address concerns of the pipeline industry. Today the association’s membership includes members and associate members from throughout the United States. J.D. Lormand is association executive director.
FOR MORE INFO:
American Pipeline Contractors Association, (337) 278-0056, www.americanpipeline.org
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