Paca conveyor
PACA Conveyor – Week of January 23, 2020
Table of Contents
Easily jump to a section in this newsletter:

1. PACA News
2. Safety & Health News
3. Technical News
4. Promotion News
5. Industry Events
6. PACA - Building and Connecting Communities

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PACA News
Josie
Safety & Health News
As reported by Josie Gaskey, PACA's Director of Environmental, Safety & Health.
Email Josie
Safety & Health News
MSHA and Electronic Detonators
In the January 14, 2020 Federal Register, MSHA provided notice of two proposed rulemakings updating existing regulations regarding electronic detonators at noncoal mine sites. This rule updates existing provisions consistent with technological advancements involving electronic detonators.

The first direct final rule defines “electronic detonators” and adds a minimum 30-minute waiting period for misfires of electronic detonators addressing this in 30 CFR 56.6000 and 57.6000. This rule will go into effect on March 16, 2020 unless MSHA receives a significant number of negative comments by the close of the comment period, which is February 13, 2020.

Consequently, MSHA also published a second version of the proposed rule in case they receive a lot of negative comments.

Should you have any questions or comments, contact Josie Gaskey.
Safety & Health News
PSU to Study Nano Coal Dust Effects
The MINER Act of 2006 permanently established the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research within CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The MINER Act grants the Office of Mine Safety and Health Research the authority to award contracts and grants to encourage the development and manufacture of mine safety equipment, and to award contracts for the performance of product testing or related work with respect to new mine technology or equipment. The primary goal of the MINER Act technology mandate is to improve/increase the use of technology in mines to improve mineworker safety and health.

Penn State Energy and Mineral Engineering Department has received a $400,000 grant from NIOSH to research coal dust in underground mines and its effect on lung disease in miners. This research is to distinguish the different properties of coal dusts and investigate the biological effects of nano-coal dust on lung cell and tissue. PSU intends to do this via a lung-on-a-chip, which is a complex, 3D model on a microchip that mimics the behaviors of a human lung.

It appears from PSU's press release that researchers have already decided the results of the study indicating "that nano-coal dusts have higher toxicity due to their size, chemistry, crystallinity, shape, surface area, porosity, surface charge and biopersistence.”

For more information, contact Josie Gaskey.
Jim
Technical News
As reported by Jim Casilio, P.E., PACA's Director of Technical Services.
Email Jim
Technical News
Reducing Concrete Scaling – A Training for PennDOT & Your Personnel
Reducing Concrete Scaling – The PACA training being presented at PennDOT Winter Schools is also available for your personnel!

The statewide initiative to reduce scaling is in full swing. The first part of this is the requirement that all concrete finishers on PennDOT projects be certified by 2020. To help your customers fulfill this requirement, PACA can provided both the ACI or the NRMCA certification. The second part of this initiative is a training module for all construction inspection personnel. This training was presented at the PennDOT District 10 winter school on January 21, 2020. The schedule of upcoming presentations of this training include:

  • PennDOT District 6 Winter School – February 11, 2020
  • PennDOT District 3 Winter School – February 20, 2020
  • Fergurson Township & Regional Municipalities – February 27, 2020
The insights provided during this 45-minute training can be a valuable to all customer service, sales, and delivery personnel of our concrete producers. Some of our members have already scheduled this training for their personnel. To schedule this training presentation or a concrete finisher certification session for your customers, please contact Ken Crank or Jim Casilio, P.E.
Technical News
PACA Announces Featured Topics at Upcoming Regional Technical Community Meetings
New tests for SRL rating of aggregate, a demonstration an affordable way to monitor test cylinders and using Portland- Limestone cement will be among the topics featured at the PACA Regional Technical Community Meetings.

Work towards implementation of new test methods for the rating the skid resistance level (SRL) of aggregates is underway. The SRL subcommittee of the PACA - PennDOT Aggregate Quality Improvement Committee is the group established to begin to look at revisions to a system that has been in place since the 1970’s. Members of this subcommittee will report on, and discuss, the work to date as PennDOT moves towards the use of the Three Wheel Polisher and Dynamic Friction Meter to establish the SRL rating of aggregates.

There are now affordable devices that will automatically report the initial curing conditions of test cylinders in the field. We will have a live demonstration of one of these easy to use systems and the free app to automatically record and report what happened to the test cylinders.

Portland Limestone cement (PLC or Type 1L) is now approved for use and available throughout Pennsylvania. Members of our Cementitious Materials Technical Community will present information on the use of and advantages of this product.

Regional PennDOT DME’s, QA personnel, and LTS personnel will once again be invited to join us at each of these meetings.

The dates, locations, schedule and registration links for all of our Technical Community Meetings in the Spring of 2020 are:

Central PA Feb. 4, 2020 New Enterprise Stone and Lime Co., Inc. 127 NESL Drive Roaring Spring, PA 16673

To register, please click here.

Western PA Feb. 25, 2020 Doubletree Hotel Cranberry Township 910 Sheraton Drive Mars, PA 16046

To register, please click here.

Eastern PA March 3, 2020 Associated Builders and Contractors 430 W. Germantown Pike East Norriton, PA 19403

To register, please click here.

Tentative Schedule:

9:30 – 11:00 am Review of Items from the AQIC, Concrete QIC and CMQIC including SRL Rating of Aggregates, Test Cylinders Curing Monitoring demo, and Portland Limestone Cement presentation

11:00 am –12.00 pm Review of Items for discussion from DME/DMM’s & QA

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm Working lunch - Pub 408 rewrite changes and discussion of items from PennDOT LTS

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Open Discussion on Aggregates, Concrete, and CM Specification Policies



In April 2020, we will have standalone Technical Community Meetings in the Harrisburg area. These meetings will start at 9:00am and conclude by 2:00 pm.

 The dates and locations are:

PACA Aggregates Technical Community Meeting - April 8, 2020

 Hershey Lodge and Convention Center 325 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033

To register, please click here.

 PACA Concrete Technical Community - April 16, 2020

 Hershey Country Club 1000 E. Derry Road Hershey, PA 17033

 To register, please click here.

PACA Cementitious Materials Technical Community - April 22, 2020

 Hershey Country Club 1000 E. Derry Road Hershey, PA 17033

 To register, please click here.
Ken
Promotion News
As reported by Ken Crank, PACA's Director of Concrete Promotion.
Email Ken
Promotion News
Zartman Presentation
Central Builders Supply and PACA Staff Deliver Education to Central PA Contractor
Winter is a perfect time to deliver concrete education and training to your customers. Recognizing that fact, Central Builders Supply recently partnered with PACA staff to present "Cold Weather Concreting" to over 30 members of the construction team from Zartman Construction, a full service general contractor based in Northumberland.

The group discussed the effects that cold weather has on concrete and the best practices associated with its placement. This was not the first time that Central Builders and PACA has delivered educational programs to the company.

Thanks go out to Central Builders Supply's Susan Armstrong and Andy Pieters for their role in continuing to push education to their customers.
Industry Events
Industry Events
22nd Annual ACPA/PA Concrete Conference
Our members are again being offered the opportunity to participate at the Annual ACPA/PA Concrete Conference at a reduced Industry Partner Registration Rate. Learn about the latest state-of the-practice in concrete pavement and other concrete technologies, network with industry, academia, and owner agency personnel, earn professional development hours, and hear about cost-effective practices that can make or save your company money.

This conference takes place on February 19-20, 2020 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey. Use the button below for details about the Conference including the agenda, lodging information, and to register. Note that reduced registration fees are also being offered to you if you wish to exhibit or sponsor.
MORE INFORMATION
Industry Events
53rd Mid-Atlantic Quality Assurance Workshop - February 11-13 - Williamsburg, VA
I would like to extend an invitation to the 53rd Mid-Atlantic Quality Assurance Workshop, hosted by VDOT, February 11-13, 2020, at the Williamsburg Lodge in historic Williamsburg, VA.

The Workshop will begin on Tuesday, February 11th at 1:00 P.M. and will conclude on Thursday, February 13th at 12 noon.

The workshop consists of a general session on Tuesday, followed by breakout sessions in Concrete, Asphalt, Metals, Soils and Aggregates and Maintenance, on Wednesday February 12th from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., and in conclusion a closeout session on Thursday, February 13th. The theme for the 2020 workshop is “Continuing the Quality Revolution”. The agenda for the workshop has been posted to the website, and is subject to some minor changes.

This mission of the Mid-Atlantic Quality Assurance Workshop is to promote, adopt and emphasize new transportation technologies and the implementation of proactive policies, practices, and procedures that ensure life-cycle expectations of the transportation infrastructure at minimum overall cost. This workshop will offer a wide range of informational sessions on the latest technologies and practices to support this mission.

Registration and hotel reservations may be found on the QAW Website.

When making hotel arrangements please inform the reservation agent that you are attending the QAW to ensure you get the negotiated room rate. You can access the QAW hotel registration page by clicking on the link below.

We look forward to your continued participation in the workshop. If you have any additional questions regarding the QAW, please send an email to [email protected].

Sincerely,

John Schuler, PE

Assistant State Materials Engineer

Virginia Department of Transportation
Visit the QAW Website
Industry Events
Con Expo Con Agg
Don’t Miss CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020
CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, the largest trade show in North America for the construction and construction materials industries, is only two months away from opening. More than 2.5 million square feet of equipment will be on display in Las Vegas from March 10-14.

The expanded footprint this year connects the Las Vegas Convention Center with the Las Vegas Festival Grounds, giving attendees ten different areas to explore the latest equipment directly from the manufacturers and suppliers, as well as the latest product innovations and knowledge resources to help your business grow.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG’s comprehensive education program is the leading source for contractors and material producers to obtain cutting-edge information. Some of those education offerings include sessions on crushing, screening, concrete mix design, and troubleshooting concrete surface defects.

Returning for its second year is the CONEXPO-CON/AGG Tech Experience, with presentations including a “Crash Course on 3D Printing of Concrete Structures,” “Gadgets in Construction” and “Turning Concrete into a Battery.”

As an added bonus, both the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association are holding their Annual Conventions in conjunction with CONEXPO-CON/AGG Truly a one-stop shop for industry professionals to learn, experience and network with peers from across the globe!
MORE INFORMATION / REGISTER
PACA - Building and Connecting Communities
PACA - Building and Connecting Communities
March PACA Events
Open to PACA member companies' personnel only.

  • March 3 - Eastern Region Combined (Aggregates, Concrete & Cementitious Materials) Technical Community Meeting - East Norriton, PA - REGISTER
  • March 5 - Concrete 101 - Meadville, PA - REGISTER
  • March 9-10 - Aggregate Certification Exam - Harrisburg, PA - REGISTER
  • March 23-24 - Aggregate Certification Exam - Harrisburg, PA - REGISTER
  • March 23-24 - Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification Exam - Lititz, PA - REGISTER
  • March 24 - Concrete 101 - Hollidaysburg, PA - REGISTER
  • March 25-26 - Concrete Field Testing Technician - Grade I Certification Exam - Leesport, PA - REGISTER
  • March 26 - Concrete 101 - Allentown, PA - REGISTER
MORE EVENTS