More than a year ago, Ironworker wind turbine contractors expressed concerns about owner requirements on wind turbine projects. Our contractors indicated that some owners were requiring torque and tension certification as well as tower rescue certification for Ironworkers working on wind turbine erection projects.

Joseph J. Hunt, General President of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers announced his retirement today, effective February 1, 2011. The Iron Workers General Executive Board immediately elected Walter Wise to succeed Hunt in filling out his term.

IMPACT recently supported a foreman training course in Regina, Saskatchewan. The course was held October 5-7 2010 with 22 participants from outside Local Union 771 and shop Local Union 838. Participants included foremen representing a number of contractors including Southeast Construction, Jacobs, Supermetal, Supreme Steel (both Field and Shop divisions), Walters, BFI, PCL, and Sustaining Capital.

The Ironworkers International is pleased to announce the development of the very first SolarWall® installer training program. The launch of a certified solar air heating training program for commercial and industrial applications is the first-of-its-kind in the world. It is generating a tremendous amount of political and industry interest, and the Iron Workers are pleased to be on the cutting edge of this new and exciting green technology.

The National Alliance for Fair Contracting (NAFC) held its 12th annual NAFC Conference in Washington, D.C. October 6-8, 2010. The conference highlights labor and signatory contractor's best practices in Davis-Bacon and prevailing wage compliance.

Ironworkers and their contractors have been erecting wind turbines for many years. To meet the needs of the industry, the Iron Workers International has always maintained a wind turbine training strategy, ensuring that Ironworkers have the needed knowledge and skills to safely and efficiently erect wind turbines. That strategy includes the following training components:

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) presents its Project of the Year Awards annually to recognize those companies who have made outstanding contributions in their profession with complex and unique projects completed with quality craftsmanship throughout the United States.

The 26th annual Ironworker Instructor Training Program was held July 13-23, 2010 at its new home in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Washtenaw Community College and Eastern Michigan University.

Every two years apprentices from the United States and Canada come together to compete and determine who is the best of the best (also known as the outstanding apprentice competition). The 2010 Ironworker apprenticeship competition was held in Seattle, Washington during September 17-20. This year the competition was billed as the "Battle in Seattle" which was hosted by the District Council of the Pacific Northwest and held at the Local 86 training center.

As every safety professional knows, controlling workplace hazards requires regular and effective training for workers and supervisors. In the case of Ironworker-Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT), training on dangers unique to this high-hazard industry extends to Cal/OSHA itself.