March 2015, Vol. 70, No. 3
Features
APCA Keeps Pace With Pipeline Industry Changes
Throughout 2014, the American Pipeline Contractors Association (APCA) continued to evaluate the ever-changing industry to identify and address the major issues facing the pipeline market, said association President Nick Bruno.
“All things considered,” he observed, “2014 was a very successful year for the APCA.
“We maintained a strong relationship with OSHA. APCA is currently working with OSHA on a five-year renewal to our alliance that should be finalized in February. As part of our alliance with OSHA, many APCA contractors participated in a ‘stand down for falls in construction’ in June 2014. There will be another stand down for falls in construction June 2 – 6.”
The alliance is a vehicle for APCA and OSHA to provide association members and others in the pipeline construction industry with information, guidance and access to training resources to help protect the health and safety of employees, including reducing and preventing accidents related to exposure to operation of equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, trenchers, and hydrostatic testing hazards. They include small businesses and limited English and non-English speaking employees.
Alliance 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.
Also in 2014, APCA issued a best practices on accident investigations relating to four-wheel drive fork lifts. APCA is currently working on a best practices for transportation and handling of pipe and a best practices for vacuum lifting of pipe. In addition, APCA is also working on preparing case studies on near misses and accident reporting for 2015.
Communication
An important element in APCA’s ongoing activities is communicating information and ideas through newsletters and meetings which serve as forums for discussion of concerns and implementation of projects for the association.
That includes its annual meeting, scheduled this year March 18-20 in Boca Raton, FL. At that meeting, Bruno will complete his second one-year term as president.
Bruno is division manager for Bi-Con Services Inc. Sean Renfro, senior vice president, Sunland Construction Inc., will assume the office of president at the 2015 annual meeting.
APCA was founded in 1971 as a regional alliance of seven contractors to promote mutual interests and address concerns of the pipeline industry and has evolved into a national association of merit shop pipeline and station contractors dedicated to promoting the mutual interests of its contractor and associate members.
J.D. Lormand is association executive director. Information on APCA and its programs are available on its web site, www.americanpipeline.org.
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