BREAKING NEWS

Hazmat Reauthorization Briefing by IP Group

On July 17, members of the Interested Parties Group for Hazardous Materials Transportation, including GAWDA Government Affairs Consultant Rick Schweitzer, briefed the staffs of eight House Transportation Committee members on the IP Group's priority issues for hazardous materials reauthorization legislation. The IP Group had already briefed the House Transportation Committee majority and minority staff members on these issues.

The hazmat program reauthorization is expected to be part of the larger highway reauthorization bill, which now will most likely not be enacted until early 2011. Once Congress writes the hazmat provisions, however, they are not likely to be changed while the bill is awaiting consideration, so communications with congressional staff is timely.

5 Most Recently Added GAWDAwiki Terms   1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Metal-organic chemical vapour deposition Sub-atmospheric gas system Homeland Security Operations Center Security Vulnerability Assessment Magnetic particle inspection To add your own term, go to www.GAWDAwiki.org.

NEW MEMBERS

GAWDA is pleased to welcome new Supplier member McDantim of Helena, MT.

SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

Customs Mandates Manifests for Importing Empty Chemical Containers • In a General Notice dated July 17, 2009, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a clarification of its prior rule allowing containers containing residual chemicals to enter the United States as empty containers. The new rule now states that any containers, including but not limited to portable tanks, cargo tanks, rail tank cars and drums that contain any residual chemicals, may not enter the U.S. unless the chemical residue is properly classified, entered and manifested.

The notice indicates that all containers with any amount of chemical residue must meet this requirement. There is no de minimus standard—a container must be manifested unless it is actually empty. The new rule is effective for containers arriving in the U.S. on or after September 16, 2009.

August Safety & Technology Organizer Online • The August Safety & Technology Organizer is now available at GAWDA’s Web site. Some topics include Accident Investigation and Post Trip Vehicle Inspection Report.

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

INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

New FTC Rules • The Federal Trade Commission has issued new rules requiring creditors to develop programs to protect against identity theft. These new rules took effect on August 1.

To learn more about these new rules and what you may need to do to comply, read NAW’s new Legal Advisory, " Identity Theft Prevention Programs Required by FTC's Red Flags Rule."

Soldiers attend Pacific Welding Supplies for welding training.

Pacific Welding Trains U.S. Soldiers (Tacoma, WA) • Pacific Welding Supplies recently finished a five-day welder training program for members of Fort Lewis' 602nd Forward Support Company. Roughly 70 soldiers participated in hands-on courses in MIG, TIG, flux core and stick welding. The training and supplies were provided free of charge by Pacific Welding and its vendors. Soldiers who completed the training will ship off to Iraq in September, where they will be responsible for repairing battlefield vehicles such as Humvees.

Former Connecticut Lawmaker Joins Praxair (Danbury, CT) • Former Connecticut state senator Mark Neilsen joined Praxair as associate general counsel and chief compliance officer. Neilsen also serves as Praxair’s assistant secretary managing the government relations group and handling corporate governance and SEC reporting issues. Prior to joining Praxair, Neilsen was vice president and assistant general counsel of defense contractor Raytheon Co. He served as a state senator in Connecticut from 1993-1999.

James Cielinski

Weldship Appoints New General Sales Manager (Bethlehem, PA) • James Cielinski was recently appointed general sales manager of Weldship Corporation. Cielinski has more than 34 years of experience in the gases and welding industry, including serving as global sales manager for Sherwood Valve, LLC and vice president of sales for C.P. Industries.

Central Welding to Open New Branch (North Lakewood, WA) • Central Welding Supply began construction last week on its 12th branch in Anacortes, WA. The branch is the second of two being opened this year. The new location will serve many of Central's largest customers who are located within blocks of the 9026 Molly Lane office. The 3,200 sq. ft. facility will employ five people and will be managed by Roger Maier, who is currently an inside sales rep at the company’s Burlington, WA location.

FIBA Receives RP Certificate (Florence, SC) • FIBA technologies was awarded an RP Certificate of Authorization from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Board of Boiler & Pressure Vessel Inspectors. This certification grants FIBA authorization to manufacture Class I fiber reinforced pressure vessels in accordance with the ASMA Section X. Using the carbon filament winding method, FIBA will manufacture ultra high pressure ASME tubes ideally suited for hydrogen and CNG fueling stations using cascade systems for fast filling of alternative fuel vehicles.

Bo Martin (left) and Tom Martin are proud to be a part of a successful third-generation family business.

Middlesex Gases Celebrates 60th Anniversary (Everett, MA) • Middlesex Gases & Technologies celebrated its 60th year in business. The company started with only two employees and a pickup truck, and now employs 60 people in six locations with three fill plants. The company was founded in 1949 by Joseph Martin Sr. and handed down to his son, Joe Martin Jr., in 1974. In 1991, the company was passed along to Bo Martin, CEO, the third generation in the Martin family to run the company. Bo currently manages the business, along with President Tom Martin.

Contacting Your Congressional Representative • NAW has put together a simple, one-page form for sending messages to Congressional representatives in Washington. Members of Congress receive more than 200 million messages a year, many of which are disregarded because they are considered irrelevant or unimportant. The guidelines developed by NAW help ensure that a member's message makes it to the desired representative. View the form here.

Linde Receives CSC Safety Award (Murray Hill, NJ) • Linde North America's carbon dioxide plant in Corpus Christi, TX, received a safety award from the Contractor Safety Council (CSC) of the Coastal Bend, Inc. The plant received the award for having an OSHA safety record of less than one accident and no lost time recordable for the entire year of 2008. "The plant team and I are truly honored and proud to receive this award," says David Henao, area supply manager. "It recognizes our day-to-day safety efforts and our total commitment to the safety of our employees and our customers."

Taylor-Wharton Products "Green Approved" (Mechanicsburg, PA) • American Welding & Tank LLC, a Division of Taylor-Wharton International LLC, announced that its refurbished LP Storage Tanks and requalified DOT cylinders have been designated by the National Association of Home Builders as Green Approved Products. This designation enables developers, builders and remodelers to earn points toward Green Certification when installing these products processed by American Welding & Tank and Certified Cylinders.

GAWDA NEWS

Steve Wilson, an NFL referee

Western Zone Meets in Coeur D'Alene • Suppliers and distributors from GAWDA’s Western Region met in Coeur D’Alene, ID, for three days of networking and educational opportunities hosted by Regional Chair Greg Stanley of Norco. The meeting was attended by 55 distributors, 8 manufacturers and 5 prospective members—a total of 146 people. Speakers for the event included Colonel Greg Bulkley of the Fairchild Air Force Base and Steve Wilson, an NFL referee and motivational speaker. The event featured a golf tournament as well as a bocce ball tournament. 63 players played in the golf outing and the winning team from the bocce ball tournament was from Lincoln Electric.

The winning golf team (l-r): Greg Stanley, Norco; Bob Ranc, Superior Products; Eric Laubach, Direct Wire and Cable; Mike Afflerbaugh, Mountain States Safety

Colonel Greg Bulkley (left) shakes hands with Greg Stanley of Norco.

Register For GAWDA's 65th Annual Convention • Register for the Convention to meet with all of your major industry partners over a four-day period. View the current lists of attendees and exhibitors here. To register for the Convention, Contact Booth and Golf Tournament, go to the Current Events page.

While on this page, remember to donate to the Gives Back Program and save the life of someone's mother, daughter, sister or friend. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Donations to WINGS Just Got Easier • GAWDA Gives Back recipient WINGS has created a special donation page for GAWDA Members on its Web site. All donations made through WINGS' Web site will be recorded and acknowledged as part of the GAWDA Gives Back program.

Attention GAWDA Supplier Members • Exhibit booths are still available for GAWDA's Annual Convention. View the floor diagram here. Also, download and complete the contact booth application if you do not have an exhibit space.

Since We Last Met – Death Notices • Each year during the Opening Session of the Annual Convention, GAWDA shows the "Since We Last Met" video. This video highlights events during the past year in the areas of sports, politics, entertainment, news, etc. At the conclusion of the video, those current and past members of GAWDA who have passed away during the previous year are recognized.

We need your help to ensure that everyone is acknowledged. Please send GAWDA Headquarters the names and pictures of employees who have been directly involved in GAWDA and have passed away since August 2008. Submissions must be received by September 1. Thank you.

GAWDA Clearinghouse • The GAWDA Clearinghouse has been updated for the month. View it here.

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 to sign up for the introductory webinars or to find out more about this exciting opportunity!

View course listings here.

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