BREAKING NEWS

USP Medical Gas Monograph Revisions

USP published the proposed revisions to the medical gas monographs (Oxygen, Nitrogen, Medical Air, Nitrous Oxide, etc.). In addition, USP specified some additional procedures for use with medical gases. This information is available in the July/August issue of Pharmacopeial Forum. GAWDA is coordinating with CGA to develop an industry response.

GAWDA held a special teleconference to review the proposed revisions on July 2. Visit this page to see what was discussed. Contact GAWDA FDA & Medical Gases Consultant Tom Badstubner at 508-883-0927 or tom@asteriskllc.com for more information.

PHMSA Will Not Raise Hazmat Fee

Based on revised estimates of unexpended balances from previous years and revenues expected to be generated at current hazardous materials registration fee levels, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) decided that an increase is not necessary to fund the national Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) grants program at its authorized level of $28,318,000 for fiscal year 2009. Therefore, the agency is withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking published May 5, 2008 (73 FR 24519).

PHMSA made the announcement in the Federal Register published June 22, 2009.

Regional Meeting Cancelled

The Central Zone Regional Meeting scheduled for July 16 in Lockbourne, OH, has been cancelled. View the updated Regional Meeting calendar here.

Welding & Gases Today Adds New Online Feature The Third Quarter 2009 issue of Welding & Gases Today Online features an Audio/Visual profile of Atlas Welding Supply Company (Tuscaloosa, AL). Watch a photo slideshow as Atlas President Bill Visintainer and Vice President James Cain discuss the company’s past, present and future. View it here.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

July Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The July Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at GAWDA’s Web site. Topics include Under the Blazing Heat of the Sun/Heat Stress, Annual Driver Review 391.25 and USP/NF Proposed Revisions.

GAWDA Reference Materials (formerly Compliance Manuals) • Do you have your complimentary copies of the newly updated Medical Gases and HR Reference Materials? If not, complete this request form to receive the USB drives containing these materials.

HR Report Available • The July 2009 HR Manager's Legal Reporter is now available for download at GAWDA’s Web site.

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

(l-r) Xavier Kelley, Bonnie Whiting, Xaviera Kelley, Frank Barker

ETOX Awards Memorial Scholarship (Tyler, TX) • ETOX Inc. awarded its first John S. Whiting Memorial Scholarship to a graduating high school senior. The scholarship was developed after John S. Whiting’s untimely death in October 2007. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school senior who either works for ETOX, or whose parents work for ETOX and who plans on continuing his or her education. This year, Frank Barker, president, presented the award to Xaviera Kelley, whose father, Xavier Kelley, works in the ETOX fill plant.

AGP Becomes KAUST Nitrogen Provider (Everett, MA) • American Gas Products entered into a supply agreement with Abdullah Hashim Gases in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to provide nitrogen equipment for KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology). KAUST is the new national initiative to build a world-class graduate university. Jim Hermetet, AGP's VP of sales is the primary consultant and will oversee the nitrogen project.

Jeff Bennett

Lincoln Promotes New Managing Director (Cleveland, OH) • The Lincoln Electric Company promoted Jeff Bennett to managing director of Vernon Tool, which produces computer-controlled pipe cutting equipment for precision fabrication. Bennett will oversee operations, marketing and business development for Vernon Tool. He has spent 11 years at Lincoln Electric, most recently serving as general manager of the Automation Solutions Group, Canada.

Albright Welding Wins Chamber Award (Wooster, OH) • Albright Welding Supply was honored as the small business of the year at the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce’s 22^nd Annual Small Business Reception. "It feels very nice to be recognized," says CEO Jim Horst. "I think small business in this area is doing very well. Obviously economic times are difficult, but the fact this many people came out and supported small business says a lot about this area."

Interstate Welding employees hauled in their big catch at the annual fishing trip.

Gone Fishin’ At Interstate (Murphy, NC) • Interstate Welding held its annual company fishing trip recently as a teambuilding exercise for its employees. Eight employees from the company made a weekend trip to Panama City, FL, where they took a charter boat on a deep sea fishing expedition. The big catch of the day came from Gordon Fairlie, who caught a 60-lb. Goliath Grouper. “The trip really helps our employees grow stronger as a team,” says Greg Bradshaw, office manager. “They spend the rest of the year telling fishing stories, so it’s a great way for them to bond.”

Air Products CFO Named SFO of the Year (Lehigh Valley, PA) • Air Products’ Chief Financial Officer Paul Huck was named Senior Financial Officer of the Year by Chemical Week magazine at their 14^th Annual SFO Conference last month in New York City. Huck was also a keynote speaker at the conference, presenting on the topic, “The Role of a CFO in a Turbulent Economy.” The SFO of the Year award acknowledges a senior finance executive who has made an outstanding contribution to business in the chemical industry through vision and leadership, corporate reporting and performance, quality of communication to stakeholders, social responsibility, innovation and global competitiveness.

GAWDA NEWS

Register Online For GAWDA’s Annual Convention in San Antonio • Log onto GAWDA’s Web site and visit the Current Events page to register online for the meeting, golf and contact booth exhibit at GAWDA’s 65th Annual Convention. Members can also make individual Gives Back donations online. This year’s Gives Back charity is WINGS, a provider of financial assistance for breast cancer patients. For corporate donations, please download and complete the donation form here. Learn more about this year’s GAWDA Gives Back in Welding and Gases Today Online.

Contact Booth Program • Supplier members may purchase a 10' x 10' booth. Booths are assigned on a first come, first-served basis. Send in your Exhibitor Application now.

IMPORTANT: Contact Booth Program exhibitors who would like to be listed in the 2009 Exhibitors Guide in GAWDA's magazine, Welding & Gases Today, should return their Exhibitor Application form to GAWDA by July 15 in order to meet the magazine's publication deadline. Or, send an email confirming your intent to exhibit to gawda@gawda.org.

2009 GAWDA Profit Report • For most firms, 2008 qualifies as a year to file and forget. The financial results for recession years, however, offer some extremely valuable insights into what distinguishes the outstanding firm from the more typical firm. An analysis of the results for 2008, therefore, can be very insightful.

The recently completed 2009 GAWDA financial benchmarking study provides detailed financial and operating benchmarks for the industry. It indicates that many firms struggled to some extent. Some firms, however, continued to prosper despite sales and margin pressures. The differences between the typical firm and the high-profit firm are significant.

Reserve Your Grand Hyatt San Antonio Room Now • Make your hotel reservations for GAWDA’s 65^th Annual Convention now, as the number of rooms being held at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio is limited. GAWDA members receive the special rate of $239/night for single or double occupancy rooms. Make reservations online at GAWDA Housing – Grand Hyatt San Antonio or call 1-800-233-1234.

We encourage you to stay at the Grand Hyatt because staying at the official Convention hotel keeps registration fees at current rates. If GAWDA does not meet a minimum number of reservations, the Association faces financial penalties, which will increase registration fees for future events. Thank you for your cooperation.

GAWDA Clearinghouse • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for the month. Click here to access it.

Take Advantage of GAWDA University Online • GAWDA U is an easy-to-use and inexpensive online training tool for your employees. The educational content of GAWDA U was developed to support GAWDA's primary mission of providing information to assist you in improving your company's safety and compliance.

GAWDA U Online is an ever-changing and growing program. We are conducting weekly webinars to introduce members to the functions and content of GAWDA U and to answer any questions. Please contact GAWDA Membership Director Kate Cole (kcole@fernley.com) to sign up for the introductory webinars or to find out more about this exciting opportunity!

View course listings here.

Linking to GAWDAwiki As it is a benefit not only for distributors but for their customers, GAWDAwiki is inviting all suppliers and distributors to create a link from their company Web site to GAWDAwiki. Not only does GAWDAwiki offer limitless industry information for your customers, it has a buyers directory where they can view all of your branches and the suppliers you represent. Creating a link is simple. Find instructions by clicking here or by calling 315-445-2347.

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