Volunteering for WSTDA Pays Dividends

By Michael Gelskey, Sr., WSTDA Vice President

It seems like only yesterday when we met in Newport and literally yesterday the registration for St. Louis was in my inbox. The upcoming meeting will undoubtedly be another great one.

The Web Sling and Tie Down Association and its membership never cease to amaze me. The current projects and goals of the committees are truly beneficial and worthwhile. I leave our meetings with the feeling that I am better for attending and will continue to calendar the WSTDA meetings over any other event or commitment. The old adage that you receive more than you give is certainly a constant summation of my past meeting impressions.

Some belong to the association, but do not attend the meetings. It is good to belong and support the association. Some belong and attend the meetings and that is better. The absolute best is to attend and participate. Participation in any of the committees fosters technical, professional and personal growth. Please consider participating in the committee or committees that you are passionate about, contribute and grow!

With the plethora of what seems to be a never ending series of tragic events in the crane and rigging industry, vigilance and a quest for excellence has never been more necessary. We are continually asked for an overall opinion as to why all of a sudden cranes in New York, Texas and Wyoming are failing. A director of a major nuclear association summed it up best for me when he stated, “It’s a perfect storm. Fever pitch activity, untrained personnel, questionable equipment repair and lack of inspection seem to be joining forces, converging and the outcome is death, injury, property damage or all of the above.” Membership in the WSTDA and the message that it continues to proclaim, should with these unfortunate events be an even more viable reason to belong and participate.

The Legal Resource Committee is working with the Human Factors Expert (HFE), Dr. Steve Young to develop a draft warning label and product information bulletin for web slings (nylon and polyester), round slings, and tie downs. Once completed, the drafts will be submitted to various focus groups in several industries for evaluation. I knew the work would not be ready for the Newport meeting and anything of value is worth waiting for. I do not know if the project will be completed for the St. Louis meeting. I do know that the extra time will be well worth it, to develop the best system of warnings in the industry.

It was particularly gratifying to have Mr. Don Pellow, Chairman of the AWRF- Technical Committee attend and address the association in Newport. Much progress has been made in galvanizing the two associations in areas of common interest. We thank Mr. Pellow for his heartfelt words and sincere sense of cooperation.

I certainly hope that the summer has been an outstanding one for you and know that we will continue to keep those affected by the terrible weather travesties in our thoughts and prayers.

We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis and wish only the best for continued health, success and prosperity.

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Web Sling & Tie Down Association

2105 Laurel Bush Rd. • Suite 200 • Bel Air, MD 21015 • phone: 443-640-1070 • fax: 443-640-1031 • wstda@ksgroup.org • www.wstda.com