March '10 Concrete Openings

Dallas Cowboys Get Help from CsDa member’s speCial team

A U G U S T. 0 7

w w w. c s d a . o r g

M A R C H . 1 0

cutting the Billion dollar stadium

Wire SaW remodelS PittSburgh bridge Pier

Florida airPort hardStandS Flat SaWed

three mile iSland generating Station uPgrade WorkS

concrete openings | 1www.csDA.org

President’s Page

douglas H. WalkerCSDA President

everyone in the construction industry expected a sluggish economy

this past year, with consolidations, cutbacks and downsizing

pretty much everyday occurrences. it seems to me like a lot of

concrete cutting contractors were ready for this economic downturn,

so they acted early and minimized the pain. in doing so, and being

proactive, they have stayed in business and moved forward where others

have not been as fortunate.

the same goes for the concrete sawing & Drilling Association. pat

o’Brien and his staff knew changes were coming, and made the necessary

adjustments to continue moving forward. while membership in some trade

and professional associations has fallen off, csDA has pretty much held its

own. while many trade associations are experiencing membership drops

in the double digits, csDA has only experienced a drop of seven percent.

i think members have seen the value of the association and stuck with it.

Members have placed a value on the benefits that csDA provides and they

understand that they cannot get these benefits from any other professional

association. Much of the thanks for the development and promotion of

these benefits goes to ron culgin and the Membership committee.

the ever-increasing use of the internet and social media is one

area that csDA has worked hard to keep in step with by releasing the

Concrete Openings website, csDA Youtube channel and Facebook page.

these formats provide further exposure of the association and its official

magazine to industry professionals, while serving as vehicles for advertising

and promoting members as well as providing additional revenue for csDA.

A constant for csDA is the promotion of safe working practices within

the industry. the association releases standards, specifications, best practices

and toolbox safety tips to help keep members on top of safe operating

procedures, in addition to updating training and safety DVDs to reflect

advancements in equipment. i can assure you that these materials are a

huge help with the training and development of operators. in addition,

the association’s alliance with osHA is also helping to provide contractors

with industry best practices, which have also been translated into spanish.

Another huge benefit that is being developed is the csDA contractor

certification program. with the hard work of Jim Dvoratchek, Kellie

Vasquez, tom stowell and the entire committee, csDA now has a three-

tiered company certification program in place and the first certification

procedure should happen in early spring. company-wide certification will

provide contractors with a way to differentiate themselves from their

competitors.

in addition, an idea that came out of the past presidents meeting at

last year’s convention was the development of a “next generation” group

to attract the next generation of concrete cutting specialists to maintain

csDA’s growth and prosperity while meeting the needs of a new generation

of workers. the organizational meeting of this group recently took place

at the world of concrete in Las Vegas, and it is hoped that this group will

bring new perspectives and ideas for the future of the association.

in a time of enormous change, the sharing of ideas among all of

the members has helped this association stay alive and continue to

advance. i would like to take the time to thank all who have continued

their membership, joined or served on the committees to keep this great

association moving forward.

2 | MArcH.10

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STRENGTH THAT COMES FROM INNOVATION


Csda oFFiCers

president, Doug walker Atlantic concrete cutting, inc.

[email protected]

Vice president, Jim Dvoratchek Hard rock concrete cutters, inc.

[email protected]

secretary/treasurer, Judith o’Day terra Diamond industrial

[email protected]

past president, tom stowell norton pro Diamond

[email protected]

executive Director, patrick o’Brien concrete sawing & Drilling Association

[email protected]

Csda Board oF direCtors (terms expiring 2011)

roger Allen protech Diamond UsA, inc.

[email protected]

Larry Liddle Diamond products Limited

[email protected]

Mike orzechowski DiteQ corporation [email protected]

John van Dyk canadian cutting & coring Ltd.

[email protected]

Kellie Vazquez Holes incorporated

[email protected]

Kevin warnecke ics, Blount inc.

[email protected]

Csda Board oF direCtors (terms expiring in 2012)

Kevin Baron western saw, inc.

[email protected]

tim Beckman cutting edge services corporation

[email protected]

steve garrison Hilti, inc.

[email protected]

Donna Harris concrete renovation, inc. [email protected]

ron rapper Husqvarna construction products

[email protected]

Jack sondergard central concrete cutting, inc. [email protected]

t h e o f f i c i a l m a g a z i n e o f t h e c o n c r e t e s a w i n g & d r i l l i n g a s s o c i a t i o n

c o n c r e t e c a s e s

6

12

18

26

Back in the NeighborhoodCutting Contractor Works on Monument of Kids’ TV Icon

Cutting the Billion Dollar StadiumDallas Cowboys Get Help from CSDA Member’s Special Team

Cleared for Take OffCutting Contractor Delivers for UPS

Three Mile Island Generation StationCSDA Member Helps with Nuclear Plant’s Redesign Work

4 | MArcH.10

ConCrete oPenings Magazine

official Magazine of the concrete sawing & Drilling Association

Volume 19, number 1 issn: 1093-6483

Concrete Openings magazine is published by o’Brien international, inc., four times each calendar year in March, June, september and December. editorial contributions are welcomed

and advertisements are encouraged. please contact the concrete sawing & Drilling Association

11001 Danka way north, suite 1 saint petersburg, Florida 33716

tel: 727-577-5004 Fax: 727-577-5012

www.csDA.org

Magazines, newspapers and private individuals are welcome to reproduce, in whole or part, articles published herein

provided that acknowledgements are made in the following manner: “reprinted courtesy of the concrete sawing & Drilling

Association, Concrete Openings magazine, issue Date.” no alterations should be made in the text of any article.

PuBlisHer

patrick o’Brien

editor

cherryl o’Brien

assistant editor

russell Hitchen

ConCrete Cases ContriButors

Jeff Kerr

Danny spencer

John robinson iii

Jeff Boggs

editorial revieW CoMMittee

skip Aston rod newton

pat stepanski

the information and recommendations in this magazine are provided for use by fully qualified, professional personnel.

the concrete sawing & Drilling Association and the publisher disclaim any responsibility as to their use by

readers and shall not be liable for damages arising out of the use of the foregoing information.

All bylined articles published in this magazine represent solely the individual opinions of the writers and not necessarily those of the

concrete sawing & Drilling Association.

c o n t e n t s

1 President’s Page

16 World of Concrete 2010 Concrete Openings Walks You Through the Show

24 Core Health On-the-Job Emergencies

34 The Business of Business Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Look to Concrete Cutting Industry

for Big Payoffs

38 Safety Counts Disaster Recovery and Employee Safety

40 Tech Talk Diamond Blade Troubleshooting

44 Insurance Corner Allowable Sale of the Proceeds of Structured Settlements

46 Industry Bits

58 Certified Operator Companies

60 New Members

61 Calendar

64 Director’s Dialogue

cover Photo: Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

picture courtesy of ralph cole photography

6 | MArcH.10

Cutting the Billion dollar stadium

Picture courtesy of James smith/dallas Cowboys

www.csDA.org concrete openings | 7

C o n C r e t e C a s e s

Cutting the Billion dollar stadiumdallas Cowboys get Help from Csda Member’s special team

L ast year saw the official opening of cowboys stadium in arlington, texas, the new home of the Dallas cowboys. the $1.15 billion, three million-square-foot sports and entertainment venue has a capacity of approximately

100,000, and is the largest nFL stadium ever built. Prior to completion of this new stadium, concrete end zone plazas and walkways around the perimeter of the structure required cutting to incorporate a specified decorative pattern. a last-minute change in design meant that the general contractor needed a professional concrete sawing contractor to come in for a big play.

cowboys stadium was designed by HKs sports & entertainment and features

a 660,800-square-foot retractable roof that is the largest of its kind in the world.

another record-breaking feature is the 1.2 million-pound video board that is

positioned above the center of the field. the four-sided video board holds two

72-foot-high by 160-foot-wide 1080p HD displays—equal to 4,920 52-inch flat panel

tVs—which face the sidelines. In addition, two 48-foot-wide screens face each end

zone. However, the focus of this particular concrete cutting project took place outside

of the stadium.

the exterior end zone plazas serve as key gathering and entertainment spaces.

Unique among nFL stadiums, the broad end zone plazas offer a combination of

permanent surfaces and green spaces to accentuate game-day celebrations and year-

round activities. these concrete areas act as main entrances for stadium spectators,

staging areas for corporate partners and sponsors and secured VIP tent areas. the

main draw of these plazas, however, is the tailgating before or after events. each

exterior plaza has been designed with perimeters for special events such as the

super Bowl.

the original design for the end zone plazas included a large grid pattern made up

of 8-foot by 8-foot concrete squares. It was anticipated that this design would require

simple cuts that could be done by a general contractor. However, the owners of the

stadium decided to change the scale of the grid design to create smaller 4-foot by

4-foot square segments. In addition, the plazas and walkways on the sideline sides

of the stadium were on a curve. the building contractor, Manhattan construction,

had selected north texas Bomanite as the subcontractor for the end zone plazas,

but because of the increased scope of work and the curvature involved, Bomanite

required a specialized concrete sawing contractor to perform these cutting tasks to

a high degree of accuracy. csDa member Magnum sawing & coring, Inc. of Irving,

texas, was chosen to complete this work.

8 | MArcH.10

precise cutting with diamond blades was the preferred method of

creating the grid pattern so that an accurate curve could be maintained

while sawing. test cuts were performed on the radius of the concrete by

the general contractor using a skill saw, but this method was painstaking

and far too slow. Diamond saw cutting provided the required speed and

accuracy to meet the specifications laid out by the building contractor

and the stadium owners.

the first task for Magnum was the cutting of multiple 0.125-inch-

wide by 2-inch-deep radius lines around the entire perimeter of the

stadium. the cutting contractor needed a slab saw small enough to be

able to subtly turn on the radius while cutting, but large and steady

enough to keep the blade running straight on the intended radius line.

A large quantity of lines measuring 45 to 50 feet long needed to be cut,

before curved radius lines were added to the sideline perimeters. this

would account for around 27,000 linear feet of cutting, approximately

20 percent of the total concrete cut during the job.

test cuts were made on an unused area of the concrete plazas using

three different saws. it was discovered that the aggregate was too hard

for some saws to cut efficiently; therefore Magnum and the general

contractor determined that a Husqvarna 35-horsepower, gas-powered

saw was the most suitable piece of equipment to perform the radius

line cuts. the weight of this 35-horsepower slab saw was enough

to assist the operator to keep the blade cutting true. Following the

successful completion of the radius lines, the cutting team turned their

attention to the creation of the 4-foot by 4-foot decorative squares.

Further test cuts were made to determine the right type of saw for

this aspect of the job, the results of which led the cutting contractor

to use a Diamond products core cut 65-horsepower, gas-powered saw,

to perform the required 0.125-inch-wide by 1.5-inch-deep staight cuts.

the main concern for the cutting team was maintaining a consistent

radius cut line. A length of string can usually be tied off from a central

point and measured out to the position of the cut line. A circular curve

can be marked by pulling the string around from the central pivot

point. However, it was not possible for Magnum to set a point from

which to pull that could create a consistent curve to the required scale.

Utilizing 20-foot lengths of white pVc piping, the general contractor

Magnum cut 1.5-inch-deep lines to create a grid design in the concrete.



the opening of the cowboys stadium in June of 2009 marks

the end of the team’s 37-year association with the texas stadium

in irving. texas stadium was the cowboys’ second home after

spending 11 years at the cotton Bowl from 1960 to 1971.

the first game of football to take place at the cowboys

stadium was a preseason game against the tennessee titans. A

concern in the buildup to this first game was the size and position

of the center-hung video board, and whether the positioning of

the 72-foot-high and 160-foot-wide video board met regulation

height to avoid being struck by a ball during high punts. while

the board is actually 5 feet above the regulation height specified

by the nFL, a punt by tennessee’s A.J. trapasso deflected off one

of the screens—causing confusion over the play. critics speculate

that the punt was intentional based on various replays and the

angle of the kick, although the punter has neither confirmed or

denied this claim.

created a curve from one end of the cut line to the other. After several

test runs and some careful examination, both the cutting team and

the general contractor were pleased with the results of this method.

More importantly, all parties were satisfied with the outcome of the

finished product.

Magnum began work on the east end zone plaza first, taking a

team of two operators working eight-hour shifts 12 weeks to complete

before moving to the opposite side of the stadium to create the pattern

on the west plaza in a similar length of time. the team cut at a rate of

600 feet per hour and cutting work was completed on september 9,

2009, one-and-a-half weeks before the cowboys’ first home game of

the nFL season.

DiD You Know?

the end zone plazas incorporate a pattern of 4-foot by 4-foot squares.

the contractor made over 135,000 linear feet of cuts at the stadium.

picture courtesy of James smith/Dallas cowboys

CoMPany ProFile

Magnum sawing & coring, Inc. was founded in 2005 and

is based in Irving, texas. the company has eight trucks

and 15 employees. the company offers primary services

of slab sawing, core drilling, wall sawing, chain cutting

and selective demolition and removal. Magnum sawing &

coring, Inc. joined as a contractor member of csDa in 2008.

resourCes

general Contractor:

Manhattan construction

sawing and Drilling contractor:

Magnum sawing & coring, Inc.

Irving, texas

Phone: 972-251-1300

email: [email protected]

Website: www.magnumsawing.com

Methods used: slab sawingreView AnD coMMent on tHis ArticLe At:

WWW.ConCreteoPenings.CoM/ForuM.CFM

1 0 | MArcH.10

it was important to keep all the concrete end zone plazas and

walkways free of waste material and slurry, particularly in the cut lines,

so Magnum sawing & coring employed a wet vaccum to collect the

water and dispose of it in designated concrete cleanout areas on the

job site before pressure washing the cut slabs.

Following the completion of the end zone plaza cuts, further

changes to the design were made by the stadium owners, so Magnum

performed additional cutting work. Approximately 9,750 linear feet

of flat sawing was completed on 6- to 16-inch-thick concrete slabs and

pavement. this was so that a large electronic sign could be erected

outside of the stadium and extra lighting columns could be installed. the

cutting team was tasked with cutting and removing these slabs while

ensuring that the intricate and precise patterned cuts were not ruined.

safety on such a large job site was pertinent for the cutting

contractor. each one of Magnum’s operators was subject to a drug

screening and required to attend a four-hour safety orientation class. on

successful completion of the screening and class, operators were issued

photo iD badges and hard hat decals, both of which had to be worn at

all times while working on the project. this process was also applicable

to all supervisory staff that performed site visits, as participation of any

level during the project was deemed to have potential safety issues.

over the course of just under seven months, Magnum sawing

& coring, inc. cut 135,000 linear feet of 0.125-inch-wide decorative

cuts to depths of 1.5 and 2 inches at the cowboys stadium end zone

plazas, along with extra radius cuts around the perimeter. the job

was completed on time and to the satisfaction of the stadium owners.

“we were happy to have had the chance to work on the new cowboys

stadium, but we were happier to have completed the works without

any cracking of the slabs and without any bad cuts,” said Danny spencer,

owner and founder of Magnum sawing & coring, inc.

the team from Magnum cut at a rate of 600 feet per hour.

Additional 6- to 16-inch slab sawing created openings for signage and lighting columns.

concrete openings | 1 1www.csDA.org

CirCle reader serviCe Card no. 65

1 2 | MArcH.10

Back in the NeighborhoodCutting Contractor Works on Monument of kids’ tv icon

“Won’t you be my neighbor?” was the invitation that children’s television pioneer Fred rogers would sing each day to his audience. For 40 years, rogers hosted educational television shows for children across the United states and canada, the most famous being the emmy award-winning Mister rogers’ neighborhood, that ran from 1968 to 2001.

shortly after his death in 2003, a monument was commissioned in

pittsburgh, pennsylvania, close to rogers’ hometown of Latrobe, entitled

“tribute to children.” the monument would include a bronze statue of

rogers, however, the main part of the structure was an unused stone

bridge pier that required substantial cutting to achieve the specified

design. A csDA member was contracted to help return Mister rogers

to his neighborhood.

An unused stone bridge pier was remodeled into a monument.



Measuring 10 feet tall, the 7,000-pound bronze statue of Mister

rogers is located on the north shore area of pittsburgh, overlooking

the ohio river and point state park. the statue depicts rogers tying the

laces of his sneakers, which was part of a ritual wardrobe change he

performed during each episode of Mister rogers’ neighborhood. Before

the statue could be installed, however, an existing stone pier from a

long-since demolished bridge needed to be stripped of its stone facade,

demolished and rebuilt with a large elliptical opening in the center.

general contractor Astorino Development of pittsburgh was

contracted to remodel the bridge pier and they, in turn, hired masonry

contractor Franco for the stone work. Franco then contacted csDA

member swank Associated companies, inc., also of pittsburgh, to

perform some of the required cutting work. “swank is a well respected

name in construction, and has been for over 65 years—especially in the

pittsburgh area,” says Jeff Kerr, project manager for swank’s building

and trades division. “we were hired a couple years prior to the start of

this project to take core samples at various locations on the pier, so we

were familiar with the job,” Kerr added.

swank’s tasks included the wall sawing of the horizontal bed joint

for each course of stone, while performing a vertical cut at the back of

each course to separate the stone from the concrete face of the pier.

each cut was approximately 60 feet long and 2 feet thick. the stones

were to be removed, split in half and numbered to be accurately put

back into place. the demolition contractor, Joseph B. Fay co., then hired

swank to wire saw the 60-foot-high by 45-foot-wide main section of

the concrete pier. this section of the pier measured up to 10 feet in

thickness and required demolition.

the joints of the stone needed to be precisely cut, so that the

stone could be kept intact for reuse. sawing with diamond wire was

necessary to isolate the main concrete section of the pier that was to

be demolished, from the two end sections or “towers,” that were to

remain untouched. increased levels of noise and vibration associated

with alternative demolition methods could have compromised the

integrity of the towers that were to remain, therefore wire sawing was

the only method considered for this part of the work. once all wire

sawing was complete and the main concrete section isolated, a large

hoe-ram would be used to bring down the center section of the pier.

For the first part of the work, the masonry contractor had an

operator diamond chain saw all the vertical joints of the stone to depths

of 2 feet, while swank’s initial task was to wall saw one course of bed

contractors cut and removed 1,800-pound sections of the pier’s stone facade. the main concrete section removed measured 60 feet by 45 feet and was 10 feet thick.

1 4 | MArcH.10

joint. Franco then tried to remove the course of stone, but this proved

to be a very difficult and time-consuming process. each 3-foot-wide,

2-foot-high and 2-foot-thick stone weighed approximately 1,800 pounds.

At this point, swank began sawing vertically across the back of the

stone to separate it from the concrete face of the pier. each day, one

bed joint and one back joint of one stone course was cut, consisting of

one horizontal and one vertical 60-foot cut to a depth of 2 feet. the

next day, the masonry contractor would number and rig each of the cut

stone pieces before temporarily removing them from the work area by

crane, where they were split in half to be reused.

By working alternate days with the masonry contractor, the two

operators from swank took just under three months to cut 340 stone

pieces free. the cutting team took an additional day to perform

miscellaneous cuts and remove backside courses.

After all the stone was removed, swank core drilled access holes

through which to run the diamond wire for the wire sawing. to set up

the 45-foot vertical pulls, 2-inch-diameter holes were drilled to create

three 15-foot-long pulls. A simliar method was employed across the

bottom to split the 60-foot horizontal pull into three 20-foot pulls.

the bottom pulls were made first, which were all in excess of 10 feet in

thickness, before performing the vertical pulls. Due to time constraints,

cut sections of the facade were numbered and kept intact for re-use.

the “tribute to children” monument, pittsburgh, pennsylvania.



the cutting contractor ended up making one 35-foot-long cut on each

side before the demolition contractor came in and hammered the section

out. swank then continued to wire saw the last 10 feet on each side to

complete the job. wire sawing took around five days to complete, with

two operators working 10-hour shifts to maintain and adjust the wire.

the biggest problem faced by the cutting team when wall sawing

the joints of the stone facade was mounting the track. since the face of

the stone was inconsistent, mounting brackets had to be shimmed, or

an area smooth enough to get the brackets level had to be hammered

out, in order to bolt the track. Another problem was meeting the

schedule. swank had initially intended to split the 45-foot vertical cuts

into three pulls, but had to adjust the setup to make just two pulls per

side measuring 35 feet and 10 feet, impacting the time frame.

other minor delays were caused by breaks in the wire. on some

occasions it took two or three hours to fish the wire out from inside

the wall, splice it back together and resume sawing. swank worked

out of boom-type man lifts in order to retrieve the wire, which slowed

progress due to the position of the man lifts and the length of the wire.

in order to make up time and meet the schedule, two wire saws were

run simultaneously—one on each end of the pier while making the

two vertical cuts. Fortunately, the wire used on each saw never broke

in tandem, so the cutting team was sawing at least one side at all times.

safety procedures for working at height were strictly followed. the

cutting team spent the majority of their operating hours 75 to 80 feet

off the ground. the masonry contractor supplied and erected scaffolding

to cut the stone joints and swank worked from boom-type man lifts

to perform core drilling and run wire. However, to make the vertical

pulls, two wire saw masts were anchored at the top of each end of the

pier. operators worked with body harnesses and lanyards at all times,

which were tied off at anchored tie off points at the top of the pier.

to core drill the 2-inch-diameter access holes for wire saw, the

cutting contractor used a Husqvarna DM 406 Hydraulic six-speed drill

with 2-inch threaded continous bits from Diamond products. the wall

saw used was a sB320 provided by sanders saws, while a wp6 saw was

employed to perform the wire sawing elements.

swank mobilized on site July 17, 2008, and immediately started

sawing bed joints on the stone facade. once instructed to saw both the

bed joints and back joints, the cutting team cut an average of 120 feet

per day to a depth of 2 feet. A total of 2,060 cuts measuring 2 feet deep

were wall sawed. the wire sawing work consisted of two 45-foot vertical

cuts and one 61-foot horizontal cut up to 10 inches thick. the contractor

completed the cutting work on october 3, 2008. total concrete removed

was approximately 23,330 cubic feet, as the pier was narrower at the

top—around 7 feet from front to back.

other work was performed after wire sawing was complete,

including the core drilling of conduit runs for the electricians and some

saw cutting for electrical panels. the contractor cut and removed a

62-inch by 56-inch opening, 18 inches deep in the stone facade of one

of the remaining and unaltered towers. this was to house the main

electrical panel for the monument lighting. swank also core drilled two

6-inch-diameter holes to 14 feet in depth, and one 9-inch-diameter hole

further up, to approximately 9 inches in depth, taking an additional

three to four days. the contractor’s final task was to create pockets in

CoMPany ProFile

Formed in the 1930s, swank associated companies, Inc. is

based in new Kensington, Pennsylvania. the company has

been a csDa member for six years and has 200 trucks and 425

employees. the building and trades division offers services

of slab sawing, core drilling, wall sawing, wire sawing and

removal, and has six trucks and 10 operators.

resourCes

general Contractor:

astorino Development

sawing and drilling Contractor:

swank associated companies, Inc.

new Kensington, Pennsylvania

Phone: 724-335-6000


Website: www.swankco.com

Methods used: Wall sawing, core Drilling, Wire sawing

reView AnD coMMent on tHis ArticLe At: WWW.ConCreteoPenings.CoM/ForuM.CFM

the surrounding towers to house support steel. this would help support

a cantilevered steel walkway that was part of the monument. cuts

measuring 9 to 18 feet in length were cut to depths between 9 and 16

inches, which took around four days to complete.

Although encountering some delays, swank actually finished the

job ahead of schedule by increasing shift durations to ensure wire

sawing was complete. “this was a rather high profile local project. i

was extremly satisfied with the finished product. All of the stone came

off whole, which was critical because most of the stone had to be

numbered, split and reused. the accuracy of the wire cuts was also a

big plus,” Kerr concluded.

the “tribute to children” monument was officially opened on

november 5, 2009, so residents and visitors to pittsburgh can now cross

the steel cantilevered walkway and sit on the stone patio next to Mister

rogers as he looks out on his neighborhood.

A 10-foot, 7,000-pound bronze statue of Fred rogers is the focal point of the piece.

1 6 | MArcH.10

The 2010 World of Concrete trade show and exhibition

took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in

February, marking the 36th year of the show’s history.

Since the first exhibition took place in 1975, the show

has experienced a substantial increase in exhibit space and attendees,

and this year’s event drew a better-than-expected attendance of over

55,000 industry professionals.

Manufacturer and distributor companies, including 32 Concrete

Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA) members, were out in force

to prove that even in a down economy, advancements in product

performance and efficiency are being made to help sawing and drilling

contractors in the long-term. Concrete Openings toured the World of

Concrete show floor to discover what innovations will be introduced

to the industry in 2010, and here are some of the highlights.

soutHern exPosureFirst stop was the South Hall of the convention center, which

had a healthy complement of CSDA members eager to present their

products and services. Reimann & Georger Corporation displayed its

new 13- or 15-inch bar Minisaw. The saw has a lightweight aluminum

frame, can be used in confined work areas and comes with a choice

of two diamond segmented chains. Also in the South Hall was Dixie

Diamond Manufacturing, which introduced its new laser-welded

green core bit, named the Beaver Bit, with 1-inch-long segments,

while James Instruments displayed the latest features of its Mini

R-Meter rebar locator that can detect materials up to 8 inches deep in

reinforced concrete and has a four-hour battery life.

The hall was also the location of the CSDA exhibit booth. As

part of the Alliance partnership between the two organizations,

representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health

Administration (OSHA) were also present at the CSDA booth.

This represented the fourth straight year that OSHA and CSDA

have joined forces to raise awareness of health and safety issues in

world of Concrete 2010Concrete Openings Walks You Through the Show

the industry and in the general workplace. The association’s affiliation

with OSHA has been a tremendous advantage for CSDA contractor

members wishing to set up or maintain a reputable business. Best

Practice documents continue to be produced in English and Spanish

to encourage safe working practices, and were distributed during World

of Concrete. At a time when it is becoming increasingly important for

businesses to be compliant with federal standards, the OSHA / CSDA

Alliance continues its work to address potential safety issues.

Center oF tHe WorldHeading out from the South Hall, the Central Hall also had several

CSDA manufacturer member representatives ready to show attendees

what advancements they have made over the last year. Husqvarna

Construction Products introduced new sawing equipment and blades,

including the new K760 power cutter. The hand saw features an

X-Torq® dual intake engine, reducing emissions up to 75 percent.

Husqvarna’s range of DiagripTM diamond blades have been also been

refined for the concrete industry, and include the HG3 high speed blade

and the R1220 and R1245 ring saw blades. Segments are specifically

designed for efficient cutting and cooling, with coarse diamonds that are

larger than traditional diamonds for longer life.

The show also introduced new 14-inch SpeediCut-XL cut-off saws

from Diamond Products, with larger initial foam filters to prolong

filter life and enhanced catalytic mufflers to keep emissions and saw

temperatures down. The company also unveiled its new 7.5-horsepower

CC1575XL basement saw with 20-inch blade capacity. Stihl Inc. has

come up with a useful tool to aid operators while core drilling. The BT

45 core drill adapter allows the unit to be converted into a handheld

drill for use on concrete and other materials, and comes with a standard

water attachment. An optional 1.25-inch adapter is available for

mounting core bits up to 6 inches in diameter.

The Central Hall also contained exhibitors of ground penetrating

radar (GPR) equipment for concrete scanning. Geophysical Survey


reView AnD coMMent on tHis ArticLe At WWW.Csda.org/ForuM.CFM

Systems, Inc. attracted interest with its recently released StructureScan

Mini. The compact unit is designed to locate rebar, post-tension cables

and conduits, and can reach up to 12 inches in depth. A 5.7-inch display

assists operators to scan and mark. Meanwhile, MALA Geoscience

exhibited the capabilities of its new CX-11 interface for concrete

imaging, including the instantaneous migration of 2-D imaging into

clear and defined scans, and Sensors & Software introduced new EKKO

Interp software for enhanced interpretation of its Conquest system data.

tHe nortHern (HigH)ligHtsA brief walk through the Grand Concourse of the convention center

connects the Central Hall to the North Hall, where the association

was represented on two levels. Some exhibitors highlighted how

their products can provide contractors with a tool for the recycling

and reclamation of waste water, slurry and other materials. Liebherr

Concrete Technology is a new member of CSDA, and showcased the

LRS 606, a portable or static unit which separates waste concrete

material from slurry water before extracting out the fines so that this

water can be reused. The containment and recycling of slurry, rocks

and chips from saw cutting and grinding is becoming an increasingly

important element of many jobs.

Besides the exhibits, the North Hall was also the main hub for

seminars and certification classes at the show. Training and education

was a focal point of this year’s World of Concrete, and CSDA played

its part in ensuring that the industry continues to produce professional

workers that are equipped with sound knowledge and new ideas to

maintain the success of their businesses. As one of the cosponsor

associations of the show, CSDA has been keen to see the World of

Concrete education program evolve and incorporate certification

classes, particularly in concrete sawing and drilling disciplines. For the

first time, CSDA held its Wall Sawing 101 class at the show. In addition

to training given in the classroom, the outdoor exhibit booths of several

CSDA manufacturer members provided hands-on training to the 16

registered students.

tHe great outdoorsAfter the journey through the three exhibit halls, it was time for

some fresh air. The outdoor exhibit area is always a hub of activity at

the event, and this is where the majority of CSDA manufacturer and

distributor members in attendance get to show off their equipment.

Hilti increased its presence at the show with a 1,600 square foot booth,

which included its new range of diamond professional contractor tools

from the recent purchase of Diamond B. This segment of the business

is being showcased by the release of the new 77-pound, 15-kilowatt DS

TS20 wall saw and its 10-speed, 1,000-hertz DD 350 and 500 core

drills. Hilti also plans to introduce a new diamond wire saw to the U.S.

market later in the year.

Well known for its range of demolition robots, Brokk Inc. was also

pleased to exhibit some of its most popular demolition robots at the

show. The updated Brokk 260 is the company’s latest offering, weighing

in at 6,724 pounds. The 260 is run by a 22 kilowatt motor and has

a maximum reach of around 19 feet. In what seems to have been a

busy year of development for Husqvarna Construction Products, the

company has released another demolition robot for 2010. One year after

unveiling the DXR 310, the company has released the DXR 250. With a

15-foot reach and weight under 3,600 pounds, the 25-horsepower unit

may well prove to be as popular as the DXR 310 was in 2009. A remote

control unit with a 3.5-inch color display sends commands to the robot

by Bluetooth technology.

Expert Equipment displayed its new line of CARDI 480-volt

Freccia Rossa, meaning “red arrow,” core drill motors at its outdoor

booth, together with a new line of brazing magnets for the re-tipping

of core bits. Also outdoors, Slurry Solutions explained how the air-

powered Slurry Fox filter press from Golz is used for separating water

from solid waste material. From there, both the water and the waste

material can then be recycled at the job site by this portable unit for safe

disposal. On the back of its recent release, the CWS-200 track-mounted

chain wall saw from ICS, Blount was displayed at the company’s booth.

The saw uses a Force 4 chain chassis and weighs 75 pounds.

There are reasons for the concrete sawing and drilling industry to

be optimistic about what the rest of 2010 holds. A walk around the

show to view the multitude of exhibits and the varied training classes

available, provided confidence that the industry is looking forward, not

back. Many exhibitors commented that although attendance was lower

than previous years, the right combination of business owners, buyers

and decision-makers were in attendance, and orders were taken.

Furthermore, the wide range of seminars and training programs

held at the show strengthens the industry and helps prepare many

operators, supervisors and company owners for a prosperous future. It’s

not always about how many people show up, it’s about who they are and

what they are looking to achieve for their businesses.

Francis Dougherty and Danezza Quintero of osHA, with csDA executive Director patrick o’Brien

1 8 | MArcH.10

Cleared for

Take Off

Cutting Contractor delivers for uPs

the three 180-foot by 150-foot hardstand areas were to be cut and resurfaced.

www.csDA.org concrete openings | 1 9


When a major shipping and logistics company was having trouble getting its planes in the air, it enlisted the skills of a concrete cutter to help it out of a

“depressing” situation. a combination of daily use and an intensely hot climate had taken its toll on three parking areas, or “hardstands,” at a Florida airport, causing a series of depressions in the asphalt and making it difficult for towing vehicles to maneuver planes in and out of the spaces. the three hardstands needed to be cut, removed and replaced—fast.

st. petersburg /clearwater international Airport is located on the

gulf coast of Florida, where three cargo jets owned and operated

by the United parcel service (Ups) arrive and depart each day loaded

with parcels. the airplanes occupy three specific 180-foot by 150-foot

hardstand areas. originally these spaces were layered with 8 inches of

asphalt over 10 inches of concrete, but constant use created indentations

in the surface where the jets parked.

initially the depressions in the asphalt were purely a cosmetic

problem for the airport, but as these depressions became deeper they

caused bigger problems. the drivers of the towing vehicles, which

transport the jets to and from their parking spaces, began experiencing

difficulties moving the jets from the hardstands for departure and

positioning them correctly upon their return. the only solution was to

replace the surfaces of these spaces to provide a smooth, flat area for

the jets to park on once more.

pinellas county, the airport operator, awarded caladesi construction

company of Largo, Florida, the role of general contractor for the

hardstand removal project. caladesi then contracted local csDA member

Accu-cut concrete services, inc. of palm Harbor, Florida, to perform the

cutting work. “we have a long-standing relationship with the general

contractor, and were really happy to be selected to work with them on

this project,” said John robinson iii of Accu-cut.

the cutting contractor’s main task was to saw cut each of the three

areas into 6-foot by 6-foot sections measuring between 12 and 18

inches deep. these cut sections would then be removed by the general

contractor and hauled to a regional recycling plant. An additional

task was to cut and widen approximately 3,120 feet of control joints

from 0.125 inches by 5 inches deep, to 0.375 inches by 1.5 inches deep,

creating beveled edges in the new hardstands, as they were poured

into place.

concrete and asphalt cutting with diamond tools was specified

for this project. the cutting of each parking space was required to be

performed while adjacent hardstands remained in service, therefore dust

and debris from any demolition and removal work had to be kept to

Accu-cut sawed through 8 inches of asphalt over 10 inches of concrete.

2 0 | MArcH.10

an absolute minimum. Flat sawing with diamond blades would ensure

low levels of debris, as increased quantities could have interfered with

the parking of aircraft alongside the cutting area, or even damaged

the jets themselves.

caladesi had just 30 days from the commencement of cutting to

remove, replace and cure new surfaces for each of the three spaces. By

the end of the specified time period, each hardstand had to be fully

functional so that it could support one of the cargo jets. once the cutting

contractor had completed work on one area, it turned its attention

to the next one, while the general contractor moved in to begin the

removal and resurfacing process.

Accu-cut began its cutting work by slab sawing an 18-inch-deep

perimeter line approximately 1 foot in from the edges of the first 180-

foot by 150-foot hardstand. this 1-foot border was to be cut last as the

borders served as control joints. the team then performed a series of

12- to 18-inch-deep cuts across the length and width of the hardstand

to create a grid of mainly 6-foot by 6-foot square sections, which the

general contractor would then remove. each cut section weighed

approximately 7,000 pounds. Accu-cut employed three operators for

three days to perform the cuts and remove any slurry and debris created,

after which they repeated the same process for the remaining two

hardstands.

Following the cutting of the hardstand surfaces, the cutting

contractor began widening the control joints. the team cut into the

remaining 1-foot border 0.375 inches in from the edge to a depth of 0.5

inches to create a beveled edge. this cutting work took approximately

two days to complete.

Accu-cut completed the cuts in the hardstand asphalt using a

Diamond products 65 XLt and a target slab saw, equipped with saw

blades from Diamond products and wel-co Diamond tool products.

the operators managed to cut a total of 9,311 linear feet of asphalt

over concrete in the space of nine days while resurfacing of the three

hardstands took place. the overall weight of surface material removed

from the job site was approximately 5,250,000 pounds.

During the course of the slab sawing, the cut sections of concrete

and asphalt were removed by the general contractor and taken from

the job site to a nearby crushing and recycling plant. this method has

been employed by Accu-cut for some time, and is becoming common

practice in the tampa Bay area of Florida.

the main problems encountered by the cutting team from Accu-

cut involved weather and air traffic. Like many parts of Florida, high

temperatures and humidity in the summer months make the st.

petersburg / clearwater area prone to frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Large amounts of rain can fall suddenly, which hinders the cutting work

and the collection of slurry. Lightning strikes throughout thunderstorms

the team cut the surface into 6-foot by 6-foot by 18-inch-deep sections.

A time limit of 30 days was specified to resurface each hardstand. Dust and debris had to be kept to a minimum to protect adjacent aircraft.


CoMPany ProFile

a csDa member since 2002, accu-cut concrete services,

Inc. has been in business for 20 years and is based in Palm

Harbor, Florida. the company employs five operators and has

three trucks. accu-cut offers concrete cutting services of slab

sawing, wall sawing, hand sawing, wire sawing, core drilling

and grinding.

resourCes

general Contractor:

caladesi construction company


accu-cut concrete services, Inc.

Palm Harbor, Florida

Phone: 727-787-4843


Website: www.accucutconcrete.com

Methods used: Flat sawing


were also a huge safety concern, so operators were trained in the

necessary safety procedures.

in addition to the weather conditions on the job site, the cutting

team was constantly aware of air traffic still in operation around them

while the slabs were cut. Luckily the schedule employed by Ups did

not interfere with the cutting work, with jets arriving before cutting

commenced and leaving after shift hours. All necessary items of safety

clothing and equipment were utilized to ensure operator safety during

the cutting work. the cutting contractor set up a series of low-profile

barricades in response to the airport operator’s request, specifying that

any slurry and waste material should not escape from the barricaded

work area.

Despite the weather conditions endured by the Accu-cut operators

and the general contractor’s team, the works were completed on time

and within budget. the airport operator, pinellas county, and Ups were

both extremely satisfied with the results. “it was a great and challenging

job to be involved in,” said robinson. “we had tight deadlines from

caladesi to meet the client’s specifications, but we knew we had the

right equipment to meet these requirements,” he concluded. it could

be said that for this cutting contractor, and many other csDA members,

the sky’s the limit.

some of the cut sections of concrete and asphalt weighed 7,000 pounds.

A completed hardstand area.

2 2 | MArcH.10


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2 4 | MArcH.10

By Erin O’Brien

On-the-Job Emergencies

Core HeaLTH

e very concrete company should have

its own safety guidelines and train-

ing to ensure the health and safety

of its operators and employees on the job-

site. these should include written policies and

procedures, safety precautions, training and

an emergency plan. since the risk of injury is

high in the construction industry, it is vital that

companies train employees to reduce the risk

of injury. However, accidents and emergen-

cies do happen, and often do not occur as a

direct result of an incident on the job. some

health emergencies can occur without warning

or provocation and require immediate atten-

tion. these types of emergencies are often

not covered in company safety guidelines, but

should be addressed, as employees equipped

with this knowledge may be able to save a

co-worker’s life.

Most common medical emergencies may

not be caused by an incident on the job, but as

the result of a pre-existing, possibly unknown

condition. these medical emergencies include,

but are not limited to: heart attack (myocar-

dial infarction), stroke, asthma attack, diabetic

shock, epileptic seizure and appendicitis. other

medical emergencies that could be triggered

by worksite conditions include, but are not

limited to: hyperthermia, hypothermia and

concussions. the following section will discuss

each of these conditions, how to identify them

and what proper treatment can be given by

other employees.

Heart attack (Myocardial infarction):

Heart attacks are caused by a blockage of the

heart’s coronary arteries (vessels that carry

blood to the heart muscle itself), causing a

depletion of oxygen to the cardiac muscle,

eventually resulting in necrosis (permanent

tissue damage). symptoms include intense

chest pain, possibly radiating to the jaw, left

shoulder and arm, difficulty breathing, profuse

sweating, nausea, vomiting, cyanosis (bluish

skin color), shallow breathing and a rapid,

irregular pulse. immediate action is required;

calling 911, or emergency Medical services

(eMs) should be the first step. next, continue

to monitor the victim. Make sure the victim is

in a stable environment and if cardiac arrest

(complete stoppage of the heart) occurs, begin

cpr if there is a trained person available. if

an Automated external Defibrillator (AeD) is

available, use it as directed.

stroke (acute Cerebrovascular attack):

A stroke occurs when there is a rapidly devel-

oping loss of brain function(s) due to distur-

bance in the blood supply to the brain. this

can be due to ischemia (lack of glucose and

oxygen supply) caused by a blockage of a

blood vessel in the brain, or hemorrhage. As a

result, the affected area of the brain is unable

to function, leading to inability to move one or

more limbs on one side of the body, inability of

the stroke victim to understand or formulate

speech or inability to see one side of the visual

field. symptoms will usually have a rapid onset

and may also include muscle weakness on one

side of the body, altered mental state and bal-

ance and ambulation problems. eMs should be

called immediately, and the person’s pulse and

breathing should be monitored.

asthma attack: An asthma attack can be

triggered by environmental conditions, such

as allergens or foods, although some asthma

attacks are not environmentally triggered.

often, a person with asthma will be aware of

his or her condition and carry an inhaler, espe-

cially in moderate to severe cases. symptoms

of an asthma attack include dry wheezing,

difficulty breathing─especially in exhaling─and

chest tightness. in the case of an attack, the

person should use their inhaler as soon as

possible, and others should assist in keeping

the victim calm and encouraging deep, rhyth-

mic breathing. if the victim does not have an

inhaler, or the attack cannot be controlled in

a few minutes, call eMs.

diabetic shock: Diabetic shock is caused

by insulin levels in the bloodstream that are

either too low or too high. symptoms vary

depending on the condition, but can include

a rapid or gradual onset, rapid pulse, labored

breathing, altered mental state (confusion,

stupor, irritability), warm, dry, red skin or cold,

clammy and pale skin, intense thirst, nausea,

vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, head-

ache, profuse sweating, fainting and convul-

sions. Most people will be aware of a diabetic

condition and be able to treat themselves

before symptoms become too severe. in many

cases, a small snack or juice will help stabilize

blood sugar levels. otherwise, eMs should be

called.

epileptic seizure: An epileptic seizure

can have no apparent cause and will most

often occur without warning. As with diabetes

and asthma, most epilepsy patients are aware

of their condition. Most seizures will involve

involuntary whole-body muscle contractions

and loss of consciousness. some, however,


may not involve a loss of muscle control, but

complete unresponsiveness for an extended

period of time. these seizures can last from

less than a minute to several minutes. if a

person is experiencing whole-body muscle

contractions, remove any objects from the

area that they could injure themselves on, Do

not put anything in their mouth and if they

begin to vomit, roll them onto their side and

try to keep their airway open. in the case of

this type of seizure, eMs should be called. if

the seizure involves unresponsiveness and no

muscle convulsions, eMs does not need to be

called unless the condition does not improve

after about 15 minutes.

appendicitis: while appendicitis is most

common in men under the age of 25, occa-

sional cases in older individuals do occur.

symptoms include pain in the abdomen, ten-

derness and muscle rigidity in the lower right

quadrant of the abdomen, possible nausea

and vomiting. symptoms will progressively

worsen and may also include fever and rapid

pulse. the person should be taken to the hos-

pital for further evaluation, or eMs should

be called.

Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia is caused

by an increase in body temperature and the

inability of the body to effectively cool itself.

Large body mass, advanced age, poor condi-

tioning level, poor hydration and some medi-

cations can predispose a person to hyperther-

mia. the condition is most common in hot,

humid and sunny environments. symptoms

include excessive sweating, rapid and weak

pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting,

nausea and vomiting. in advanced cases, the

person will become confused, stop sweating,

have hot, red, dry skin and dilated pupils.

the person should be immediately moved to

a cool location and body temperature must be

lowered. this can be achieved by cold water

immersion or cold, wet towels being placed

on the head, neck, under the armpits, behind

the knees and in the groin area. eMs should

be called immediately. if possible, the person

should be in a shaded area with a fan directed

towards them. the priority in this situation is

always to lower body temperature as soon

as possible.

Hypothermia: Hypothermia is caused

by a decrease in body temperature. the con-

dition is most common in cold, damp and

windy environments or by immersion in cold

water. symptoms include a slow, weak pulse,

dilated pupils, shallow, irregular breathing,

shivering, motor impairment and decreased

mental focus. in severe cases the person may

have developed frostbite (tissue damage in the

extremities) and a desire to sleep. treatment

includes moving the person to a warm environ-

ment, removing any wet clothing and wrap-

ping in a dry blanket. if re-warming is done

with hot water, rapid changes in tempera-

ture should be avoided. the person should be

gradually re-warmed to avoid burning the skin

and causing other internal problems. if hypo-

thermia or frostbite is moderate to severe,

call eMs.

Concussion: concussions are the result

of damage to the brain tissue, due to trauma

to the head, such as an object striking the

head or a person falling and hitting their head

on a hard surface. symptoms include mental

confusion, alteration of mental status, amne-

sia, slurred speech, incoordination or balance

deficiencies and possibly loss of consciousness.

these symptoms could last from a few minutes

to an extended period of time exceeding sev-

eral days, depending on the severity of the

concussion. if the symptoms are not severe, do

not last more than a few minutes and there

is no loss of consciousness, the person usually

does not need immediate medical attention.

symptoms lasting longer than 15 minutes or a

loss of consciousness require medical attention.

if a person loses consciousness or the symptoms

do not resolve and begin to worsen, call eMs

immediately.

if there is ever any doubt on the treatment

of any of these conditions, it is better to be safe

and call eMs. every company should also have

an emergency Action plan (eAp) in place, with

details on how to contact emergency services,

other important numbers to call and a chain of

command—who else needs to be notified of the

emergency? it would be beneficial to have at

least one person in the company who is trained

in cpr/AeD and first aid. Having an AeD on-site

could mean the difference between life and

death for a person having a heart attack. Local

red cross chapters and the American Heart

Association offer this type of training.

Erin O’Brien, MS, ATC is employed by O’Brien International, the association management company that manages the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association. O’Brien received her Master of Science degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology from the University of Florida, and will become a regular contributor to Concrete Openings magazine. She can be reached at [email protected] or 727-577-5004.

2 6 | MArcH.10


on october 26, 2009, a scheduled shutdown of the three Mile Island Generation station—

Unit 1 took place for upgrading. During the shutdown, new steam generators were installed, one-third

of the station’s fuel rods were replaced and more than 25,000 other maintenance, operational and

testing activities were completed. as part of the redesign work, a 3-foot-thick concrete roof and north

end wall of one of the station’s structures needed to be removed within the first four days of

the shutdown.

Left: A wire saw was set up to cut the 3-foot-thick concrete roof and wall.

Atlantic core drilled 6-inch-diameter holes in the roof for diamond wire access.


2 8 | MArcH.10

the 382-acre site at three Mile island—Unit 1 is situated in

Londonderry township, pennsylvania, and is built on an island in the

susquehanna river. the pressurized water reactor was designed by

Babcock and wilcox and is owned by exelon nuclear. opened in 1974,

the plant is capable of generating 837 megawatts—enough power to

support the electricity needs of over 300,000 average American homes.

the station employs 550 people.

Brandenburg industrial service company of Bethlehem, pennsylvania,

contracted csDA member Atlantic concrete cutting, inc. of Mount

Holly, new Jersey, to remove one of the facility’s stilling boxes as part

of the demolition and redesign of the cooling tower baffle plates. the

3-foot-thick concrete roof and north end wall were to be removed in

separate crane picks. the general contractor specified that the use of

cranes should be kept to a minimum on the job site to keep costs down,

so Atlantic concrete cutting, inc. devised a plan to work two crews in

consecutive 12-hour shifts through to completion of the wire sawing

tasks. All cutting was to be completed while sections of risers and valves

were removed, minimizing crane down time for the removal of the cut

concrete sections.

the selective demolition of 36-inch-thick concrete walls required

high levels of precision, as the remaining walls of the structure were to

be reused as part of a new build. time was also an important factor for

the cutting team to consider, as the cutting and removal of the concrete

sections had to be completed within the first four days of the planned

facility shutdown. therefore, cutting with diamond wire was deemed to

be both the quickest and most accurate way of renovating the structure.

the first cut would consist of one single horizontal pull around the

perimeter of the structure to release the roof from the walls. First, scrap

pieces of wooden 2-foot by 4-foot boards were secured to the wall

at the cut line. this would help the 68 feet of wire required to wrap

cutting and removal work was to be completed within four days.

www.csDA.org

the three Mile island accident

March 28, 2010, will mark the 31st anniversary of what was

the most serious accident in U.s. commercial nuclear power

plant operating history. on this date in 1979, a sequence

of events including equipment malfunctions, design-related

problems and worker errors led to a partial meltdown of

the three Mile island—Unit 2 reactor core. Fortunately, this

accident did not result in injury or death to any of the plant

workers or members of the surrounding community, but even

the very small release of radioactivity from the site was enough

to cause the U.s. nuclear regulatory commission (Usnrc) to

heighten its monitoring procedures.

the accident brought about sweeping changes involving

emergency response planning, reactor operator training,

engineering, radiation protection and many other areas

of nuclear power plant operations. it also caused the nrc

to tighten and heighten its regulatory oversight. resultant

changes in the nuclear power industry and at the nrc had

the effect of enhancing safety.

A failure of the main feedwater pumps prevented the

steam generators at the plant from removing heat. the turbine

and reactor were programmed to automatically shut down in

the event of such a failure, which in turn caused the pressure

in the nuclear system to increase. A relief valve opened to

help decrease this pressure, but failed to close when pressure

dropped to a manageable level. no indication was given to

the operator to suggest that the valve had not closed properly,

so cooling water poured out of the stuck-open valve and

caused the reactor core to overheat. the accident was quickly

contained, and independent tests of the area found that the

local population was each, on average, exposed to just one

millirem of radiation. in comparison, radiation exposure from

a chest x-ray is about six millirems.

DiD You Know?

Horizontal and vertical cuts released the 20- by 14-foot wall section.

concrete openings | 2 9

3 0 | MArcH.10

around the entire structure to remain in the same plane. the plattner

Hi-cycle wire saws employed by the cutting team from Atlantic concrete

cutting, inc., and supplied by Advanced cutting technologies, inc., had

the capabilities to handle such a large pull. in fact, the creation of four

wire access holes for multiple wire saw pulls was not required, as the

roof section was saw cut in one complete perimeter pull. the 168-square-

foot wire pull was completed by two operators in less than two shifts.

while the cutting work was being performed on the roof section,

wire access cores were drilled and a second wire saw was set up to

begin work on the north wall section of the structure. Atlantic concrete

cutting, inc. started this part of the work by making a bottom horizontal

cut and two vertical cuts to release the 14-foot-wide by 20-foot-tall wall

section from the remaining structure. the cuts were completed by two

operators during the second and third shifts. to provide access holes

for the crane rigging, 6-inch-diameter cores were created in the fourth

shift. it took approximately 30 minutes to drill each of the 12 holes.

Further work was awarded to Atlantic concrete cutting, inc. during

the shutdown period. Additional wire sawing was performed on the

same structure to lower the height of the north wall so that it met the

required elevation of the new piping, taking another shift to complete.

the remaining walls of the structure were to be reused for a new build.

the 77-ton roof section was removed by crane.


CoMPany ProFile

atlantic concrete cutting, Inc. has been in business since

1991 and is based in Mount Holly, new Jersey. support

operations are located in totowa, new Jersey and spring

city, Pennsylvania. a csDa member for 19 years, the

company has 22 operators and 31 trucks, and offers

the services of core drilling, wall sawing, wire sawing,

flat sawing, curb sawing, sawing and sealing, highway

diamond grinding, sawcut grooving, grinding and

polishing, selective demolition and ground penetrating

radar.

resourCes

general Contractor:

Brandenburg Industrial service company


atlantic concrete cutting, Inc.

Mount Holly, new Jersey

Phone: 609-261-7200


Website: www.atlanticconcretecutting.com

Methods used: Wire sawing, core Drilling


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the 77-ton roof section was removed as planned, while the cut

section of the north wall weighed in at 66 tons. the 312 square feet of

wire sawing, all wire access cores and all rigging cores were completed

ahead of schedule. to cut through the 3-foot-thick concrete walls,

Atlantic concrete cutting, inc. used a plattner gs-150-30 wire saw with a

40-horsepower motor. the 6-inch-diameter access holes for the diamond

wire and crane rigging were made using a Diamond B core drill.

During the shutdown of the power station, hundreds of workers

from multiple trades were present at the work area. to maintain a safe

and secure site, Atlantic concrete cutting, inc. employees were required

to sign in and out at the beginning and end of each shift. the cutting

team attended shift-specific safety meetings to make sure all other

contractors working in the area were aware of Atlantic concrete cutting,

inc.’s work. this communication enabled the contractor to complete

the work with the accuracy and speed required, while keeping other

tradesmen a safe distance from the demolition works.

“Atlantic concrete cutting was selected for the three Mile island

project because of the company’s excellent safety record and successful

history of work with the general contractor,” said Jeff Boggs, project

manager for Atlantic concrete cutting, inc. “By satisfactorily finishing

the job ahead of schedule and with no safety issues,” added nancy L.

walker, owner and president, “our name and our services were noticed

by other contractors on the job site, which has been an extra bonus.”

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www.husqvarnacp.comCopyright © 2010 Husqvarna AB (publ.). All rights reserved. Husqvarna is a registered trademark of Husqvarna AB (publ.).

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3 4 | MArcH.10

By Laura L. Mall, Esq.

Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Look to Concrete Cutting Industry for Big Payoffs

tHe Business of Business

several csDA members have recently

been hit with lawsuits by current and

former employees for violations of the

Fair Labor standards Act (FLsA), the law passed

by congress in 1938 requiring employees be

paid at least minimum wage for all hours

worked in a workweek, and time and one-

half their regular rate for all hours worked

over forty in a workweek. Lawsuits like these

have cost upwards of $100,000 to $350,000 to

defend and ultimately resolve.

why are these costs so high? the FLsA

requires that employers pay unpaid wages

and prevailing employee’s attorney fees. while

congress no doubt intended the attorney fee

provision to serve the important public policy

of empowering those without the means to

finance litigation, it has had the unintended

side-effect of encouraging and prolonging

needless litigation, since the prospect of an

attorneys’ fee award serves as a disincentive

to plaintiffs’ lawyers to settle out of court.

in addition to attorneys’ fees, employ-

ers are on the hook for the plaintiffs’ unpaid

wages for up to three years. the amount of

unpaid wages is then doubled in most cases, to

account for the employee’s lost use of timely

paid wages. while these numbers can add

up quickly, any wages owed to plaintiffs are

often much less than the attorneys’ fees gen-

erated to collect them. thus, even in cases

where the plaintiffs’ claims are unsupported,

and the employer has no real legal exposure,

those employers often choose to settle the

case rather than risk the high cost of litigation.

in cases where the employer does have

exposure, those employers are faced with the

“Hobson’s choice” of paying for the oppor-

tunity to defend their pay practices in court

to minimize their damages, or choosing to

pay the full amount of money demanded by

the plaintiffs, even if that amount is highly

inflated. while the latter choice may appear

to be more cost effective, there are further

repercussions: an employer with a history of

settling FLsA lawsuits encourages more of

them. so, depending upon the number of

employees who may file similar lawsuits and

the strength of the case, it may make better

sense to aggressively defend the claim in court.

Because an FLsA suit is a win-win proposi-

tion for plaintiffs’ lawyers, FLsA lawsuits are

on the rise. one federal court judge has noted

on the record that the “logical conclusion is

that FLsA cases are heavily weighted in favor


of the employee. Most cases are filed against

small businesses which quickly realize that

it is cheaper to pay a small claim and the

employee’s attorney’s fee than it is to defend

the claims.”

given the current state of the economy,

the presence of billboards like, “whocanisue.

com,” and television ads by attorneys about

overtime claims, current and former employ-

ees are more likely than ever to seek com-

pensation for real or perceived wrongs in

the workplace. in these difficult financial

times, some employees may contact an attor-

ney, or an enforcement agency like the U.s.

Department of Labor (DoL), to seek redress

for what they believe are unlawful acts by the

employer. what’s more, during a recent inter-

view, DoL secretary Hilda solis declared that,

“the Department of Labor is open for busi-

ness,” and the DoL is stepping up enforce-

ment by hiring 250 more investigators.

wage claims, especially in Florida and

california, are flooding the courts. Just last

year, 1,304 FLsA cases were filed against

employers in the southern District of Florida,

the federal court which covers Miami-Dade,

Broward, Monroe, palm Beach, Martin,

st. Lucie, indian river, okeechobee and

Highlands counties. this excludes the num-

ber of wage claims filed in state courts. while

the provision allowing successful plaintiffs

to recover their attorney fees promotes a

public good, by giving employees the keys

to the courthouse and enabling them to pur-

sue legitimate wage claims that they might

otherwise be unable to afford, it has cre-

ated a feeding frenzy. in a recent case, one

federal judge noted that, “according to the

Administrative office of the United states

courts, for the past five years the southern

District of Florida has averaged 28.7 percent

of all FLsA cases filed in the United states.”

Most business owners know someone

who has been sued under the FLsA. the

csDA is no exception. Because employers in

like industries share information, they often

have common employment practices. thus,

once a questionable pay practice has been

identified by employee-side attorneys, those

lawyers will mine that particular industry

for additional lawsuits. while the methods

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fLsa “HoTsPoTs” QuesTionnairethe following 12 questions are intended to help you identify areas in which your

organization may have some legal exposure with respect to the Fair Labor standards Act

(FLsA). please respond to each question carefully, and then review the notes below.

1. Do you pay your employees on a salary basis, i.e., the same predetermined amount each

pay period not subject to reductions, for any week he or she performs any work?

q Yes q no

2. Do your personnel records contain the following for all employees: full name, address,

including zip code, date of birth, sex and occupation in which employed, time and day of

week when workweek begins, and total wages or remuneration each pay period?

q Yes q no

3. Do your personnel records contain the following for all employees not otherwise exempt

from the FLSA’s minimum wage and overtime requirements: hours worked each day, total

hours worked each week, basis upon which wages are paid, effective hourly pay rate for any

week overtime is worked, amount and nature of each payment excluded from the effective

hourly pay rate, total weekly straight-time earnings, total overtime earnings for hours over

40 in any workweek, any additions to or deductions from wages for each pay period, dates of

payment and pay period covered by the payment?

q Yes q no

4. Are the records reflecting hours worked by employees accurate?

q Yes q no

5. Do any employees work “off-the-clock” (such as starting work early, working after

clocking out, performing work at home without reporting it)?

q Yes q no

6. Does the organization automatically deduct for meal periods regardless of their

actual duration?

q Yes q no

7. Are employees paid for “break” time?

q Yes q no

8. Are employees compensated for attending required training programs or meetings

or activities?

q Yes q no

9. Are employees permitted to “volunteer” any working time?

q Yes q no

10. Do all non-exempt salaried employees receive overtime compensation?

q Yes q no

11. Are all employees not otherwise exempt from the minimum wage and overtime

requirements of the FLSA paid one and one-half times their effective hourly rate of pay for

hours worked in excess of 40 every work week?

q Yes q no

12. Are all bonuses and incentive pay included in the effective hourly rate of pay prior to

overtime pay being computed?

q Yes q no

if you answered “Yes” to any questions 1, 5, 6 or 9, or answered “no” to any questions 1,

2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 or 12, you may have some legal exposure with respect to the FLsA. please

note though, that these questions do not cover all areas of potential legal exposure under

the FLsA, but some of the more common “Hotspots.” if you have any questions whatsoever

as to whether your organization is in compliance with the FLsA, it is advised to contact your

employment & Labor council as soon as possible.

this questionnaire was created by christine D. Hanley & Associates, p.A., based in west

palm Beach, Florida. For more information, call 561-659-5646 or visit www.cdhanley.com.

attorneys may use to develop new clients are

regulated, there is no guarantee that plain-

tiffs’ lawyers won’t pick up the phone and

call employees with an invitation for them to

sue the company.

one plaintiffs’ law firm was recently sanc-

tioned for just such improper solicitation when

a legal assistant telephoned two current and

one former tire Kingdom employees on their

cell phones and invited them to sue their

employers. one of the out-of-state employees

telephoned testified that “the woman caller

explained that the suit was due to Defendant

corporation’s ‘taking money from people

by not paying them for the time when they

had to work through lunches and that their

firm ‘would love to help them recover their

money.’” After learning the employee was

not interested, the legal assistant allegedly,

“asked if they knew of any coworkers who

may want to get their money back.” it is par-

ticularly noteworthy that the law firm sanc-

tioned for improper solicitations has previ-

ously brought an FLsA claim against a csDA

member. one has to wonder, then, whether

that firm plans to bring additional suits against

concrete cutters.

Based on the public record of wage claims

against concrete cutters, csDA is on the radar

screen of plaintiffs’ lawyers. it is therefore

more critical than ever that csDA members

ensure that their organization’s practices are

in compliance with the FLsA and that they

have knowledgeable labor and employment

attorneys on hand in the event their company

is sued. the time is now for all employers,

including members of csDA, to review their

pay practices and be certain that they are not

running afoul of the law. while doing every-

thing right will not protect an organization

against being sued, it will limit exposure to

liability and ultimately minimize the amount

at issue.

Laura L. Mall practices Labor and Employment Law with the law firm of Christine D. Hanley & Associates, P.A., in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has practiced labor and employment law for the past ten years. She has represented concrete cutters in three FLSA lawsuits over the past three years. Mall spoke at the CSDA Winter Meetings in Bonita Springs, Florida. She can be reached at [email protected], or by calling 561-659-5646.

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saFety CounTs

Hurricane Katrina, mudslides and flooding in california,

tsunamis in the south pacific and the earthquake in Haiti

are all recent reminders of how Mother nature can be both

merciless and unpredictable. when and where the next disaster will

strike, whether created by man or by nature, is anyone’s guess. some

studies on climate change suggest a surge in natural disasters will occur

if a global restructuring and tightening of environmental policy is not

implemented.

For employers obligated to keep their employees safe during

working hours, disaster preparedness is critical. this article outlines

employers’ obligations to protect employees before, during and after

a natural disaster. the article also offers recommendations to employers

when preparing for an emergency; taking action during an emergency

and cleaning up and resuming business after an emergency.

By Mark A. Lies II and Elizabeth Leifel Ash

Disaster Recovery and Employee Safety

PreParInG For an eMerGencyosHA requires all workplaces with more than 10 employees

to develop a written emergency Action plan (eAp) to identify and

coordinate employer and employee actions during an emergency. As a

minimum, the eAp must include the following elements:

• Means of reporting emergencies (fires or floods for example)

• evacuation procedures and assigned exit routes

• procedures to account for all employees following an evacuation

• procedures to be followed by employees who must remain

behind to attend to critical plant operations before evacuating

• rescue and/or medical duties for employees who are trained to

perform them

• names or job titles of people who can be contacted for more

information about the plan

29 c.F.r. § 1910.38. in addition to these required elements, it is

recommended that employers also consider including the following

in the eAp:

• the location of the nearest hospital or emergency medical center

• the type of alarm system used to notify employees of an

emergency

• procedures for protecting information, including procedures for

storing or maintaining critical documents and records

• the location and permissible uses of protective equipment

such as portable defibrillators, first aid kits, dust masks and fire

extinguishers

• the location of televisions or radios for further information

during a disaster

ensuring the development of an effective eAp also requires

the employer to train employees to understand their roles and

responsibilities under the plan. when conducting this training, the

employer must address literacy and linguistic and cultural barriers to

ensure that the training is effective. training must also be documented

by the employer.


resPonDInG to an eMerGencycommunication during a natural disaster is critical to maintain

organization and prevent panic and injury. For example, not all

emergencies require an evacuation of the workplace. in some cases,

such as flooding, storms or the release of biological or chemical agents,

staying indoors is safer for employees. the first question most people

ask during an emergency is, “should i stay or should i go?” employers

can guide employees as to the appropriate course of action by having an

alarm system that emits a different signal for “evacuate” emergencies

than for “stay put” emergencies. Alternatively, the alarm system could

be programmed to give specific verbal instructions following the initial

alert. employers must consider the needs of disabled employees in

selecting any visual or audible alarm system.

should an emergency present itself, employers should have an

effective means of communicating with employees about the following:

• whether to evacuate or stay put

• How and where to get information about the emergency itself

• what areas of the building to avoid

• How and when it is safe to return to the work area

• How and when it is acceptable to contact family members and

loved ones

PIcKInG UP tHe PIecesHazards to employees remain even when the proverbial dust has

settled following a natural disaster. For example, a storm can bring

down power lines in a flooded parking lot. these fallen power lines

could potentially injure or kill employees leaving the building after the

storm passes. Hazards are even greater for employees who are tasked

with cleaning up after an emergency. employees performing cleanup

work after a flood, storm, earthquake or other disaster may be exposed

to one or more of the following hazards:

• Hazardous materials such as asbestos, mold, lead or chemicals

• Downed power lines and trees

• Heat stress /Hypothermia

• Blood borne pathogens or other contagions such as

west nile Virus

concLUsIon anD recoMMenDatIonsit is imperative that employers develop and implement organized

and clearly-communicated procedures for responding to a disaster. A

well-planned and executed emergency response program will help

prevent panic, thereby minimizing employee injuries and damage to

property. it is recommended that employers follow these guidelines:

• Develop an eAp that covers a wide variety of potential

emergencies, and gives employees clear guidance on what to do

in each scenario

• Be cognizant of hazards employees may face, even after the

immediate danger has passed

• train employees in evacuation plans and other emergency

response procedures

• conduct a job hazard analysis and review applicable osHA

standards before assigning any employees to perform

cleanup work

• evaluate the safety record of any independent contractor hired

to perform cleanup work, including investigating the contractor’s

worker’s compensation history, its osHA logs and history of

citations from osHA.

Mark A. Lies II is a labor and employment law attorney and partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Chicago, Illinois. He specializes in occupational safety and health law and related employment law and personal injury litigation. In addition, Seyfarth Shaw has assisted CSDA members by holding presentations and moderating roundtable discussions at annual conventions. He can be reached at 312-460-5877 or at [email protected].

4 0 | MArcH.10

teCH TaLK

Tech Talk is a regular feature of Concrete Openings magazine, focusing on equipment, maintenance and operational issues of interest to concrete cutting contractors. Readers wishing to have a particular subject addressed can call or email CSDA with their suggestions at 727-577-5004 or [email protected].

By Romey Messina and Robert Hodson

Diamond Blade Troubleshooting

T he process of cutting concrete using a flat saw and a diamond

saw blade has a number of important steps, each of which

must be followed correctly in order to prevent damage to

equipment or blade, premature wear of diamond segments or injury

to the operator.

A saw in excellent condition will not perform well using a diamond

saw blade which is not formulated for the material being cut or for

the available horsepower of the machine. conversely, a diamond saw

blade properly formulated for material and machine will not perform

well if the machine is in sub-standard condition. A machine in excellent

condition using a properly formulated diamond saw blade can, and often

does, become a poorly performing pair if the operator fails to use sound

cutting techniques. the use of unsound techniques can transform an

efficient, profitable, “piece of cake” job into an unnecessarily botched

nightmare, where profits go out the window, blade manufacturers are

asked for credits and machines go back to the shop for highly expensive

emergency maintenance.

case stUDy 1

A cutting contractor placed both an operator and a flat saw at two

separate locations on a street. this street had been paved many years

ago, and very large rounded rocks were used for aggregate. the first

operator attempted to sink his blade to the collar and cut in one pass.

the engine of his machine labored heavily and so the operator leaned

on the saw with every ounce of muscle he could muster. After only a

short time, the operator shut the machine down and loaded it back onto

the truck. He was headed back to the maintenance shop; the tires on

his saw were slick and worn down. when asked what had happened,

the operator laid the blame on the saw. He said that he had taken the

saw to the shop just the day before for the same problem.

the other operator was cutting just up the street, and was walking

beside the saw while the machine and blade hummed along at several

feet per minute. He was cutting only about 2 inches deep. since both he

and his fellow employee had started the job, he had been able to cut at

least 10 times as much footage, even though he was using three passes

to cut through the pavement. the successful operator determined the

optimum cutting depth for the material being cut. the blade held the

specified depth and did not rise up out of the cut. while it may have

taken this operator three passes to complete the cut, a higher level of

performance and blade life was achieved. this ultimately saved time

and money for the contractor, as the equipment was handled correctly

and no time was wasted on costly repairs.

case stUDy 2

An airport runway was to be grooved, and operators were offered

bonuses for high production rates. Unfortunately, the grooving blades

were slowing down progressively until they had to be taken off the

job and re-sharpened, causing delays and narrowing the chances of

any bonuses. the site supervisor observed that smooth, fast cutting

occurred when the forward speed was such that the grooving across

the runway took no less than seven minutes. when operators crossed

faster, the blades would start pounding and eventually close up. the

supervisor instructed operators to restrict forward speeds to adhere

to a seven minute crossing time. Following this change, the saws were

able to continue cutting for the whole shift and a profitable job was

completed on schedule.


troUBLesHootInG

some of the more common problems encountered in the field, and

their remedies, are:

loss oF tension

the loss of tension in a diamond blade can be caused for many

reasons. the blade core could have become overheated from a lack of

sufficient water being applied to the blade or a lack of side clearance

that results from uneven segment wear. Make sure the water supply is

adequate and is reaching the core near the collars and sheeting out to

the cutting area. A blade with more side clearance, and suited to the

cutting application, should be used by the operator.

Blade tension may also be lost when a blade is misaligned on the

saw, the blade flanges are not of the proper size, or the blade is not

properly mounted on the arbor shoulder, causing the blade to bend

when the flanges are tightened. the operator should make certain that

the flanges are clean and of the proper size and are properly mounted

and secured.

segMent loss

overheating of the blade can cause segment loss. this is often

the result of a lack of proper water being applied to the cutting area.

Another reason for segment loss may be that the blade specification is

too hard for the concrete being cut, causing the blade to become dull.

in this instance, an operator should recognize that the material being

cut is different than originally believed and a blade with a softer bond

might be better suited to the new material. segment loss can also occur

when the blade is subjected to sharp sudden movements while in the

4 2 | MArcH.10

cut or upon initial contact with the concrete. the operator should make

slow and even contact between the blade and the material to be cut.

Core CraCking

if the operator observes that the core is cracking, the blade

specification being used may be too hard for the concrete or other

material being cut. the operator should not put excessive pressure

on the blade by pushing, jamming, or twisting the blade into the cut.

All of these actions can put undue stress on the blade and can cause

metal fatigue.

Blade Will not Cut

A blade that will not cut can be the result of a number of factors.

the first is that the blade specification may not be the proper one for

the material being cut. the operator should examine the segments on

the diamond blade with a loupe to find out why the blade is not cutting.

if the operator finds that the surface of the segment is smooth and that

the diamonds are not protruding, then the diamonds may be too friable,

the bond too hard or the speed of the blade may be too high. on the

other hand if the operator finds that the diamonds are protruding too

far from the bond with little bond support, the bond is not resistant

enough for the abrasive material being cut, or possibly the diamond/

bond combination is not right for the application.

if the operator examines the segment surface and finds that many

of the diamonds are missing (popouts), then it is safe to assume that

the diamond impact resistance is not sufficient or the combination of

the diamond/bond is not right for the cutting application. the operator

may find the diamonds in place but with an abnormally high amount of

fractures or crushed crystals. the blade may cut fast initially but overall

life is short because the diamonds are too friable or the blade has been

subjected to excessive pounding.

the blade may cut well initially but then slows and eventually stops.

the operator may find that the diamonds are in place, but are smooth

or have flat tops and are still protruding above the bond surface. in

this case the diamond may be too impact resistant, too large a mesh

size, too high a concentration or the diamonds may just not have been

pushed to their design operating condition.

when operating a flat saw, remember to follow industry best

practices and always refer to manufacturer instructions or specifications

before cutting. set up the equipment and blade correctly, and let them

do the work for you. training programs are a great way for cutting

contractors to develop knowledgeable and skilled operators who can

achieve optimum performance from both equipment and blade.

Robert Hodson is the research director of Sanders Saws, Inc., a division of Multiquip, Inc. based in Honeybrook, Pennsylvania. Romey Messina is also employed by Sanders Saw, Inc., in the new product development department. Call Sander Saws at 800-486-0797 or email [email protected].

This article was prepared utilizing information contained in the CSDA training manuals. These manuals are used as the course textbooks for the nine training programs offered by CSDA. For more information about CSDA training programs, contact CSDA at 727-577-5004.

4 4 | MArcH.10

insuranCe Corner

Allowable Sale of the Proceeds of Structured Settlements

Many people enter into a “structured settlement” as a result

of recovery on a legal claim, such as personal injury, medical

malpractice, or workers’ compensation. A structured

settlement takes a lump-sum award and turns it into a series of payments

that may last for a specified period of time. this is usually accomplished

by the purchase of an “annuity contract.”

Annuity contracts are commonly sold by certain insurance

companies. A lump-sum “premium” is paid for a guaranteed stream of

future payments. However, the recipient’s circumstances can change,

prompting some recipients to sell the rights to the periodic payments

for immediate cash.

saLe oF tHe rIGHts to strUctUreD settLeMent PayMentsthere are numerous entities willing to purchase a stream of

payments, whether from a structured settlement or other source, such

as lottery winnings. the process usually begins with calculation by the

purchaser of the “net present value” of the settlement payments (npV).

npV is basically the current value of a future payment. For example, if

a recipient is entitled to receive $100 ten years from now, that right is

worth less than $100 right now, due to inflation and other factors. By

applying an accepted “discount” percentage rate, npV can be calculated.

Purchase options may include:

• Full purchase – the purchaser commonly calculates npV of the

payments and offers a lump sum, usually substantially less than

the total initial amount or even the npV

• purchase of a specific number of payments – only a specific

number of the future payments are purchased at a discounted

npV rate

• purchase of a portion of each payment – the purchaser acquires

only a right to a certain percentage of each payment, with the

balance to the original recipient

LeGaL ProceDUres necessary For saLeMost states have laws that regulate the purchase of the right to

structured settlement payments. these laws commonly require, among

other things, specific, written disclosures regarding the transaction, such

as fees, commissions and discount rates, and also require court approval

prior to the actual sale.

FeDeraL reGULatIon oF strUctUreD settLeMents PUrcHasesAs part of the “Victims of terrorism relief Act of 2001,” the United

states congress enacted a law applicable to the sale of structured

settlements (the Act). the Act requires that all sales, assignments,

transfers, or encumbrances (i.e., borrowing money secured by the

settlement payments) of structured settlements be approved by a state

court. the Act does not mandate the procedure, but requires states to

evaluate whether the sale is in the best interests of the seller, taking

into account the welfare and support of the seller’s dependents, and

violates no federal or state law or court order.

once the court has determined that the sale qualifies, it must issue

a “qualified order” approving the transfer or sale. in addition, a “model

act” intended to regulate such sales, has been adopted by most states.

eFFect oF FaILUre to coMPLy WItH tHe actif the parties fail to obtain a “qualified order,” the Act imposes on

“any person who acquires directly or indirectly structured settlement

payment rights in a structured settlement factoring transaction a tax

equal to 40 percent of the factoring discount.” the “factoring discount”

is an amount equal to the difference between:

• the gross total, undiscounted sum of the payments purchased

minus

• the total amount actually paid by the purchaser

reprinted courtesy of:

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Pentruder, Inc, Sales and Service, Telephone: 562-445-6429, Fax: 480-966-2386, E-mail: [email protected], www.pentruder.com

Concrete Cutting Systems, Inc

4 6 | MArcH.10

industry BiTs

Diamond Products Introduces Enhanced Speedicut-XL High Speed Saws

Diamond Products announces the introduction of 14-inch blade

capacity SpeediCut-XL cut-off saws to its product line. The saws are

enhanced versions of the previous SpeediCut 14-inch saw. The new

saws feature larger initial foam filters and redirects air flow against

the secondary filter to optimize air filtration. Optimized cooling is

provided by air flow and a fuel compensator, which both reduce

cylinder temperature. A reinforced hood screw keeps the cover

secure, while a new rubber-sealed top head deco-valve improves the

combustion and cooling processes. An enhanced catalytic muffler

keeps emissions and saw temperature down. For more information,

call Diamond Products at 800-321-5336 or visit

www.diamondproducts.com.

Beaver Ultimate Core Bit from Dixie Diamond Manufacturing

Dixie Diamond

Manufacturing now offers a

unique split segment V-shaped,

laser-welded core bit. The “V”

shape at the tip of the segment

reduces vibration and helps

prevent the bit from walking.

The 1-inch-long split segments

have a 0.200-inch gap in the

middle of segment which

acts as relief and significantly

increases drilling speed. For

more information, contact Dixie

Diamond at 770-921-2464 or

visit www.dixiediamond.com.

Reimann & Georger Corporation Introduces MiniSaw at World of Concrete

Reimann & Georger Corporation (RGC) announced the release

of its lightweight, portable Minisaw during the World of Concrete

show in Las Vegas. The saw can be used in confined spaces and for

performing quick cutting jobs. The aluminum

frame is ergonomically designed to enhance

cutting precision and productivity while reducing

operator fatigue. The Minisaw is available in a

13- or 15-inch bar, and features a roller nose

sprocket and eight internal water passages for

maximum bar and chain life. There is also a

choice of two diamond segmented chains to cut concrete,

stone, masonry, brick, block, rebar or aggregate. Make clean plunge,

bottom, notch, trim and corner cuts without over-cutting, while the

dual function trigger has safety lockout to start and stop tool and water

simultaneously. For more information, call RGC at 800-831-5438 or

visit www.rgcprodcuts.com.


New Coring Systems Introduced by Hilti

Hilti introduces its new DD 350 and DD

500 coring systems. There is a choice of three

drive units that provide high performance

with a simple, easy-to-use system. The

new coring machines are equipped with

water-cooled, high-frequency motors. The

motors are rated at 3,600 and 5,500 watts

respectively in the DD 350 and DD 500.

This 1,000-hertz, high-frequency technology

achieves higher performance, reduces weight

and cuts maintenance costs as the motors are

brushless. Equipped with 10-speed electronic

gearing, the new motors allow speed to

be adjusted while the motor is running. A

built-in Iron Boost function provides extra

performance for coring through rebar.

The drive units can core diameters up

to 24 inches, and the H2S and H6S core

bits feature segments 0.39-inches high. H

line core bits feature standard 1.25-inch,

seven-welded connection ends. For more

information, contact Hilti Customer Service

at 800-879-8000 in the U.S., 800-461-3028

in Canada, or visit www.us.hilti.com in the

U.S. or www.hilti.ca in Canada.

1250 NW Main Street • Lee’s Summit, MO 64086

ARIX™ is the original diamond arrangement technology and DITEQ is the only company that employs this full ARIX™ technology.

Diamond particles are specifically arranged throughout the segment - not just on the surface of the segment like our imitators.

ARIX™ gives faster cutting speeds and longer blade life with precise diamond arrangement throughout each segment for unparalleled performance.

You’ll find ARIX™ throughout DITEQ’s full line of professional diamond tools. You’ve got to see it to believe it!

Discover the DITEQ

DIAMOND TOOLS & EQUIPMENT866-688-1032

DIAMOND TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

Don’t Be Fooled by Imitators

4 8 | MArcH.10

Accurate Concrete Inspection.Every time with theStructureScanTM Familyfrom GSSI.

Locate:Rebar•Metallic and non-metallic conduits•PT cables•Voids•

StructureScan Optical is the only concrete inspection tool on the market with an optical barcode reader and patented Smart Pad technology designed for highly accurate 3D scanning.

StructureScan Standard is a compact system that provides clear and reliable 2D and 3D data, while remaining user-friendly.

StructureScan Mini is a field rugged, easy-to-use, handheld GPR system that provides ultimate portability and superior data quality.

Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc.www.geophysical.com•[email protected]


Canadian Cutting and Coring Hires New Operations ManagerCanadian Cutting and Coring Ltd. announces the appointment of Bob Gerlitz

as operations manager. Gerlitz has over 20 years experience in the concrete cutting

industry in British Columbia and is a welcome addition to the team. He will assist in

developing new markets and services. For more information, contact John van Dyk at

866-658-5250 or email [email protected].

New Line of Core Drills from Expert EquipmentExpert Equipment Company introduced a new line of CARDI 480-volt, three-

phase core drills during the February World of Concrete show in Las Vegas. The

four Freccia Rossa, or Red Arrow, core drill motors share the same state-of-the-art

technology for better cooling and higher performance. CARDI uses a Bi-Fluid system.

Motors are cooled by oil and the oil is cooled by water that also cools the drill bit. For

the first time CARDI offers a “smart electronic” on a three-phase core drill. The drills

are equipped with soft start and thermal overload protection. There is a choice of a

seven- or 10-horsepower motor, as well as four gear box options to drill from 1 to 40

inches. For more information, contact Expert Equipment Company at 713-797-9886

or email [email protected].

New Salesmen Join HusqvarnaHusqvarna Construction Products is pleased

to announce new additions to its sales force.

Tony Boras has been involved in the construction

industry for over 20 years and now joins the

Husqvarna heavy-user sales team as the district

manager for the Ohio/Kentucky territory. Robert

Franco has accepted a new position within the

Husqvarna sales team as district sales manager—

Southern California. Franco has been with the

company for many years, starting his career as a

customer service representative and most recently

as a district manager. Matt Farris recently added

on to his current duties as a technical services

team member by servicing heavy-user accounts

in Southern California and Southern Nevada.

Farris’s years of experience in the industry and

with Husqvarna make him a strong addition to

the sales team. Joe Baillargeon is now the district

manager for Florida in addition to his role as the

technical services manager for the Orlando service

center. For more information, contact

Cate Stratemeier at 913-928-1442 or email

[email protected].

ICS Celebrates 20 YearsICS® is marking its twentieth year of business with a host of new products, events

and promotions throughout 2010. The company is even displaying a new logo,

designed to pay tribute to the milestone. ICS holds many patents and trademarks

and was both the first to successfully develop concrete cutting chain and the first to

market a gas-powered concrete chain saw. Over the years, ICS has enhanced its line by

developing new product features, such as SealPro®, a patented o-ring technology that

improves chain life, and FORCE4™ diamond chain, a professional grade chain. More

recently, ICS has developed and marketed PowerGrit™, a diamond chain designed

to cut through ductile iron and other pipe materials, giving excavation workers and

municipalities the same advantages over circular saws that concrete chain saw users

currently enjoy. For more information about the 20-year anniversary promotions and

events being held by ICS, visit www.icsbestway.com.

tony Boras robert Franco

Matt Farris Joe Baillargeon

5 0 | MArcH.10

DEWALT Launches New SDS-plus® Rotary Hammers at WOC

DEWALT launched a new line of heavy-duty SDS

rotary hammers during the World of Concrete show in Las

Vegas. The line features SHOCKS-Active Vibration Control®

and has been designed to provide professional contractors

maximum performance, jobsite durability, and increased

comfort. The D25223K D-handle and D25323K L-shape

1-inch SDS rotary hammers feature a shock mounted rear

handle system that reduces vibration up to 50 percent. The

new 1-inch SDS hammers feature an eight-amp motor that

delivers 0-1,150 RPM,

0-4,300 BPM and a large

hammering mechanism

that generates 2.5-feet per

pound of impact energy.

Additionally, the D25324K

is equipped with a quick change

chuck system. This includes an

SDS tool holder and a three-

jawed keyless 0.5-inch chuck

that gives contractors increased

versatility when drilling. For more

information, call 410-716-7467 or visit www.dewalt.com.

New Hydraulic Power Pack from WolverineWolverine Equipment is proud to introduce the WP-99D,

the company’s most powerful power pack yet. This compact

99-horsepower unit, which produces 34 gpm at 3,000 psi, features

its own sound enclosure to ensure quiet operation in noise sensitive

environments. The WP-99D is custom-built for use in a wide range

of construction, industrial and marine applications. Dual hydraulic

circuits allow multiple tools to run simultaneously. All Wolverine

power packs feature an automatic low hydraulic oil level shut down.

The water-cooled Kubota diesel engine meets all current EPA

emission requirements. For more information, call Bill Darling at 561-

994-2750 or email [email protected].

Yury Mokin, 1967–2009Yury Mokin, co-founder of

CSDA-member ZAO OLVEX,

passed away in St. Petersburg,

Russia, in December of 2009 as

the result of a tragic accident.

He was 42 years old. Mokin

was the CEO of OLVEX for

16 years, and helped to grow

the company into one of

the biggest concrete sawing

contractors in Europe. Mokin,

who held a PhD in psychology,

set up OLVEX in 1993, with his friend Sergei Chavkin. Under

his leadership, the company developed into a major force in the

Russian market. Mokin’s efforts to promote diamond techniques

and embrace new advanced technologies in Russia were invaluable

in advancing the country’s construction market. His decency,

fairness and professional integrity were respected by everyone in

the company and the wider business community. Mokin will be

missed by his family, friends and colleagues. Anyone wishing to

express their condolences may email OLVEX at [email protected].

New Interpretation Software for Concrete ImagingSensors & Software introduces EKKO Interp, its newest software

product. EKKO Interp is a project-oriented data analysis program

that enables users to selectively pick, label and export Conquest data

attributes for a wide range of reporting requirements. Conquest users

can interactively create interpretations such as points, lines and zones

on the raw data images. Exported Conquest images are overlayed by

interpretations, and are used to estimate the average cover depth or

thickness of concrete. Interpretation attributes can be exported as CSV

files. The user interface is simple and the viewing interface follows

the same standard format as the ConquestView software. For more

information, email [email protected] or visit www.sensoft.ca.

www.csDA.org

i n d u s t r y B i t s

concrete openings | 5 1

Download catalog and brochure from www.cardi.biz, or call and we mail you the information on this or any of the other Cardi products we offer.

SALES - PARTS - SERVICE

Tel: (713) 797-9886 • Fax (713) [email protected] • www.cardi.biz

4-Speed

Technology!

10 Years in the US Market!!!Made by Pros for Pros

T9 Core Drill Series• 120V, 30amp plug, max. 5.0HP• 230V available upon request• “Smart Electronic” clutch• Mechanical clutch as

back up• Soft start with low

amp draw• Overload protection

at 35amp• On/Off switch

built in• Weighs 33 lbs• Compact with carrying handle• Large shifting knob with lock

RPM T9-450-EL T9-500-EL

Gear Idle/Load Idle/Load

1 300/200 220/140

2 500/330 340/230

3 810/540 500/340

4 1360/900 720/480

(Technical data may change w/o notice)

#1 Core drill in the Houston and Gulf Coast area“If it can hold up there, it will hold up anywhere”Wide gear spread to cover larger range of diameters

Competitors 3-speed drills can’t match our rpm rangeMore power and torque than any 3-speed 120V drill

Low maintenance cost through state of the art technologyNEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW NEW N

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C.O.ExpertEquipAd10.indd 1 1/15/10 7:46 AM

Diamond Sawblade Industry to Fight Circumvention of Antidumping Duty Orders on Far East

Recently, a counsel for U.S. producers

of diamond sawblades announced they have

identified certain Chinese producers of

diamond sawblades that are marketing their

products as being free of antidumping duties,

or eligible for reduced duties, through a

variety of fraudulent schemes. These schemes

could land importers in hot water for customs

fraud violations. Diamond sawblades,

diamond segments and diamond sawblade

cores from China are currently subject to

antidumping duties of up to 164 percent.

Korean sawblades, cores and segments are

also subject to duties of up to 26 percent.

Information presented to the U.S.

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

strongly indicates that Chinese producers of

diamond sawblades are engaged in a variety

of schemes aimed at misleading importers

and other purchasers as to the magnitude of

the duties involved, or attempting to convince

importers to commit customs fraud in order

to avoid them. Under Customs’ enforcement

procedures, it is importers, rather than

exporters, who must pay all duties, including

any fines and penalties that arise from

antidumping duty circumvention on the part

of foreign producers and exporters.

One prevalent scheme includes

misinforming potential importers that the

Chinese producer or exporter’s antidumping

duty rate is far lower than it actually is,

potentially subjecting the importer to

large and unforeseen duty liabilities. In

other instances, Chinese producers and

exporters are encouraging importers to

commit both classification and valuation

fraud by importing the merchandise under

inappropriate tariff provisions, or altering

invoices and Customs documentation to

reflect a price lower than the price at which

the merchandise is actually being sold. Such

fraud subjects importers to potential criminal

penalties, including fines and jail time, and

civil penalties of up to twice the value of the

lost duties. For more information, call Daniel

Pickard at 202-719-7285 or email dpickard@

wileyrein.com.

Concrete Reclamation System from LiebherrLiebherr Concrete Technology has adapted its LRS 606 concrete reclaimer to extract

concrete sand, rocks and chips generated during the process of saw cutting and grinding

concrete roads. The collected slurry water is pumped into the Liebherr LRS 606 concrete

reclaimer, where material larger than 0.01 inches is separated out from the slurry, de-watered

and collected for disposal. After this process,

the slurry water is ready for processing to

extract out the fines. The LRS 606 can be

configured as a portable unit and relocated

as needed. For more information, contact Jon

Jaruseski at 866-879-6312 or email

[email protected].

5 2 | MArcH.10


Expert Equipment Introduce Brazing MagnetsExpert Equipment Company introduces high quality brazing

magnets for re-tipping core drill bits.

The magnets, made by SFM, come in two sizes. Type D is suitable

for most coring jobs. Each of the four magnets offer a different

clearance, from 0.02 to 0.05 inches. For larger core drill bits, there is

a Type US version available with wider clearances from 0.06 to 0.09

inches. For more information, contact Expert Equipment Company at

713-797-9886 or email [email protected].

CC1575XL Lightweight Basement Saw Unveiled by Diamond Products

Diamond Products adds to its choice of sawing equipment

with the new Core Cut CC1575XL basement saw. The saw is

electric powered and has a lightweight frame, making it suitable for

basement work. The CC1575XL saw includes a 7.5-horsepower,

480-volt electric motor and a 20-inch blade capacity with a 7- and

0.625-inch cutting depth. The basement saw weighs 205 pounds

and includes an enhanced v-belt tensioner. For more information,

contact Diamond Products at 800-321-5336 or visit www.

diamondproducts.com.



Hilti DS TS20-E Electric Wall SawThe new Hilti DS TS20-E electric wall saw features high-frequency motor technology

and Hilti Traction Control. The DS TS20-E, designed for use by concrete drilling and

sawing service contractors, can cut to depths of up to 21 inches. Critical drive parameters

are monitored and measured continuously, while a digital control system calculates the

optimum saw head advance speed. Blade jamming, or even complete stalling of the saw, can

be avoided to a great extent using this new system. Powered by a 32-amp supply, the DS

TS20-E provides an output of 15 kilowatts and maintains a constant torque with all blade

diameters from 24 to 48 inches without need for mechanical gears. Stowed on two trolleys,

the carriage and blade drive motor form a single

unit with a weight of only 77 pounds,

with its point of balance lying directly

between the two hand grips. The locking

mechanism for the carriage guide rollers is

built into the hand grips, making it possible

to mount the saw head on the rail without

need for changing hand positions. For more

information, contact Hilti at 800-879-8000

in the U.S., 800-461-3028 in Canada, or visit

www.us.hilti.com in the U.S. or www.hilti.ca

in Canada.

5 4 | MArcH.10


ISEA Lauds New Federal Mandate for High-Viz Safety Apparel in All Workzones

The International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) has

lauded the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for issuing

new rules to make road workers safer by requiring that they all wear

high-visibility apparel whenever they are exposed to moving traffic,

work vehicles or construction equipment. Under rules published

December 16, 2009, the FHWA adopted the Manual on Uniform

Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the standard for all U.S.

roadways. The revised MUTCD now requires that workers in a

right-of-way or workzone, including emergency responders, must

wear high-visibility apparel that meets Performance Class two or

three requirements of ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, the American National

Standard for High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.

This standard for high-visibility apparel was developed by the

ISEA High-Visibility Products Group in response to the need for

greater protection for roadway workers, and approved as American

National Standards. It includes performance and design requirements

for background and retroreflective material that provide enhanced

visibility day and night. Separate sections of the MUTCD require

the use of ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant apparel for flaggers and adult

school crossing guards. The flagger section also permits the use of

ANSI/ISEA 207-compliant public-safety vests for law enforcement

personnel directing traffic in workzones. The revised MUTCD took

effect January 15, 2010, and all states have to adopt it as their state

standard within two years. Workers will have to be in compliance

with the high-visibility apparel requirements by December 31, 2011.

The safety apparel requirement for workers in federal-aid highway

workzones has been in effect since November 2008. For more

information, contact Dan Shipp at 703-525-1695 or email

[email protected].

Diamond Products Names National Accounts Manager

Diamond Products is

pleased to announce the

appointment of Bob Coats as

national accounts manager.

Coats has an extensive

background in the diamond

tool and equipment industry.

He began his career with

Target/Electrolux/Husqvarna

in national and international

sales management and more

recently worked for DITEQ

Corporation as the vice president of sales and marketing. For more

information, contact Diamond Products at 800-321-5336.

New Electric Wall Saw from Husqvarna

The WS 482 HF is the latest in a series

of electric wall saws from Husqvarna.

The saw has more power and a larger

blade size capacity than other saws in the

line, and offers a good power-to-weight

ratio. The WS 482 HF is based on the

same technology as the WS 440 HF,

launched in 2009, but can hold up to a

62-inch-diameter blade and is operated

by radio remote control. The saw’s newly

developed two-speed, water-cooled

gearbox, combined with a variable speed

transmission, allows optimal speed to

be set according to blade diameter, blade type and cutting

material. The WS 482 HF produces 25 horsepower to the

blade shaft with a 32 amp fuse, weighs 61 pounds and can

cut up to 29 inches deep into reinforced concrete. For more

information, contact Cate Stratemeier at 913-928-1442 or

email [email protected].

drill downwith a

beaver bitComes in two designs

drill downdrill down

beaver bitbeaver bitbeaver bit

drill downdrill downdrill down

205 buxton Court • lilburn, georgia 30044toll-Free Phone: 800-654-7224 • toll-Free Fax: 800-256-3304

dixiediamond.com

ultimatered

ultimategreen

5 6 | MArcH.10

$525 $1,090 $810

$1,375 $1,030

$2,040 $1,525

$2,465

$355 $630

$3,295

$4,420

$5,495

$855

$1,285

$1,730

$2,175

$2,750

CSDA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

$130

PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ACTIVITY

*AFFILIATE: A person, firm, corporation, society, government agency or other organization providing services to the concrete sawing and drilling industry.


t o B e c o M e a c s D a M e M B e r17reasonsNETWORKING AT ANNUAL CONVENTION AND QUARTERLY MEETINGS the number one benefit for members has always been the opportunity to network with cutting professionals at the annual convention and quarterly meetings.

TRAINING PROGRAMS AND MATERIALS over 1,500 members have graduated from nine classroom and hands-on training programs: cutting edge, slab sawing and Drilling 101, wall sawing 101, wire sawing 101, operator certification courses, osHA construction safety and estimating. Five training and safety videos/DVDs are available to members at a discount. csDA also offers online training at www.csdatraining.com for those members who are not able to afford the time off or the money required to send operators to remote classes. the site provides owners/managers with testing, scoring and documentation for employees.

CONCRETE OPENINGS MAGAzINE Concrete Openings is the voice of the cutting industry with a circulation of 16,000 per quarterly issue. Members can advertise at significant discounts and have the opportunity to have their job stories reach 7,000 architects, engineers, general contractors and government officials in the only professional magazine dedicated to concrete cutting. complimentary copies are available for company promotion.

INSURANCE PROGRAM the csDA insurance program offers members coverage that includes workers’ compensation, auto, comprehensive general liability, environ-mental pollution, professional liability, equipment, employment practices Liability (epL) and other lines specifically geared for the concrete cutting industry.

CSDA WEBSITE the csDA website at www.csda.org contains a wealth of information available 24/7 in the members only section. the online discussion boards also provide members a forum to discuss technical issues, sell equipment, hire employees or any other relevant topics.

CSDA SAFETY RESOURCES AND TOOLBOX SAFETY TIPS (TSTS) the 230-page csDA safety Manual and csDA 57-page safety Handbook are designed specifically for concrete cutters and are available to members at a significant discount. tsts are a positive way of communicating to your employees that your company is serious about their health and safety. they can be used in employee safety meetings and can be an important part of your company’s safety program.

REPRESENTATION WITH GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIzATIONS csDA have formed an Alliance with osHA to advance the safety of cutting contractors. this partnership includes issuing Best practice documents, joint exhibitions at trade shows, review of safety materials and the osHA Joint Design for safety construction roundtable. csDA also actively participates with niosH on field testing and the norA construction workgroup.

MENTOR PROGRAM new members can receive personalized assistance from a current csDA Board or committee member during their first year of membership.

ROUNDTABLES the roundtable sessions at the annual convention and selected regional meetings give members a chance to share their wisdom and acquire additional knowledge. information gleaned at the roundtables often saves members money.

MANUALS AND PROMOTIONAL LITERATURE Members have access to manuals developed specifically for them. Members can make presentations with the Diamond Advantage seminar planning & presentation Manual and find out how to market their company with the How to Market Your concrete cutting Business Manual. Four-color brochures, flyers and a video/DVD are ready for member use to promote their business to customers. Materials are designed so members can easily personalize them and avoid the cost of developing their own.

SPECIFICATIONS, STANDARDS, TOLERANCES AND BEST PRACTICES specifications, standards, tolerances and Best practices are available for the whole spectrum of cutting disciplines including core drilling, flat sawing, wall sawing, hand sawing and wire sawing. twenty documents have been developed and new ones are in production.

RESOURCE GUIDE AND MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY the csDA membership directory is available in print form and on the website at www.csda.org. the searchable web directory is especially valuable as the csDA website averages 150,000 pages viewed per month. the specifications, standards, tolerances and Best practices are included in the print version.

MEMBERSHIP PROFILE ANALYSIS periodic survey of members to collect statistical information on operating and financial information such as wages, profit and loss, safety, equipment and diamond tool costs.

SLURRY ANALYSIS REPORT this is an association-sponsored, 60-page report for members. the slurry analysis was performed by an environmental engineering firm with data compared to federal standards and recommended guidelines for slurry management.

FREE WORLD OF CONCRETE REGISTRATION Members receive free registration and reduced seminar fees for the industry’s annual exhibition of concrete-related equipment and supplies.

DISCOUNT PROGRAMS csDA offers its members exclusive programs for insurance, equipment leasing and online training, plus discounts on credit collection services, drug testing and safety services.

COOPERATION WITH INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS csDA is a founding member of the international Association of concrete Drillers and sawers and works with other associations around the globe to promote concrete cutting and the use of professional cutting operators.

5 8 | MArcH.10

Companies listed here have invested time and money to send their operators to CSDA’s Operator Certification. If you are committed to professionalism in the concrete cutting industry, consider sending your operators through the training programs offered by the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association.

CertiFied oPerator CoMPanies

A.E. BRICE & ASSOCIATES, INC.1510 Aspen St Baltimore, MD 21226Tel: 410-354-8890 Fax: 410-354-8894 www.sawconcrete.com

ABC CUTTING CONTRACTORS— BIRMINGHAM3060 Dublin Cir Bessemer, AL 35022Tel: 205-425-7711 Fax: 205-425-7769 www.abccuttingala.com

ABC CUTTING CONTRACTORS—MOBILE26181 Equity Dr Daphne, AL 36526Tel: 251-625-1100 Fax: 251-625-1103 www.abccuttingala.com

ADVANCED CORING & CUTTING CORP.1766 Route 34 Farmingdale, NJ 07727Tel: 732-681-7733 Fax: 732-681-8733 www.advancedcoringandcutting.com

AMBERCROFT LABOURERS’ 506 TRAINING CENTRE1600 Major Mackenzie Dr E Richmond Hill, ON L4S 1P4CANADATel: 905-883-4268 Fax: 905-883-4894 www.506tc.org

ATLANTIC CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.PO Box 98 Mt. Holly, NJ 08060Tel: 609-261-7200 Fax: 609-261-7246 www.atlanticconcretecutting.com

B.T. RENTALS LIMITED#13 Buller Street Woodbrook, TRINIDAD & TOBAGOTel: 868-628-2703 Fax: 868-622-4244

CAL WEST CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.1153 Vanderbilt Cir Manteca, CA 95337Tel: 209-823-2236 Fax: 209-823-0740 www.calwestconcretecutting.com

CAL WEST CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.3000 Tara Ct Union City, CA 94587Tel: 510-656-0253 Fax: 510-656-8563 www.calwestconcretecutting.com

CENTRAL CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.W719 Leroy St Edgar, WI 54426Tel: 715-352-2552 Fax: 715-352-2625 www.centralconcretecutting.com

CONCRETE CUTTING SPECIALISTS, INC.10333 Hercules Rd Freeland, MI 48623Tel: 989-695-5344 Fax: 989-695-5345

CONCRETE PENETRATING CO.2303 Shorecrest Dr Dallas, TX 75235Tel: 214-634-2990 Fax: 214-634-0953 www.concretepenetrating.com

CONCRETE RENOVATION, INC.6600 Randolph Blvd San Antonio, TX 78233Tel: 210-653-6120 Fax: 210-590-2316 www.concreterenovation.com

CORE SOLUTIONS LTD.PO Box 3349 MaravalTRINIDAD & TOBAGOTel: 868-622-8334 Fax: 868-622-3074 www.coresolutionsltd.com

CORING & CUTTING SERVICES, INC.1107 N Redmond Rd Jacksonville, AR 72076Tel: 501-779-4072 Fax: 501-985-9781 www.sawconcrete.com

CORING & CUTTING SERVICES, INC.2711 SE Otis Corley Dr Bentonville, AR 72712Tel: 479-271-9672 Fax: 479-271-9674 www.sawconcrete.com

CORING & CUTTING OF SPRINGFIELD, INC.2074 N James River Ct Nixa, MO 65714 Tel: 417-725-4534 Fax: 417-725-0073 www.sawconcrete.com

CUT-RITE CONCRETE CUTTING CORP.22 Lockbridge St Pawtucket, RI 02860Tel: 401-728-8200 Fax: 401-727-2953 www.cutriteccc.com

CUTTING EDGE SERVICES CORP.1535 Old S.R. 74 Batavia, OH 45103Tel: 513-388-0199 Fax: 513-732-1248 www.cuttingedgeservices.com

DEANDREA CORING & SAWING, INC.9630 Dallas St Henderson, CO 80640Tel: 303-422-3885 Fax: 303-431-9661 www.deandreacoring.com

DELTA CONTRACTORS & ASSOCIATES, LLC605 S Caton Ave Baltimore, MD 21229Tel: 410-624-0990 Fax: 410-624-0991 www.deltacontractorsllc.com

DERRICK CONCRETE CUTTING & CONSTRUCTION LTD.7039 Gateway Blvd NW Edmonton, AB T6H 2J1CANADATel: 780-436-7934 Fax: 780-435-4389 www.derrickconcrete.com

DIXIE CONCRETE CUTTING CO.5297 Port Blvd S College Park, GA 30349Tel: 404-761-1100 Fax: 404-669-2550

DIXIE CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.16 Maple Creek Cir Greenville, SC 29607Tel: 864-299-6600 Fax: 864-299-5009

E. LUKE GREENE COMPANY, INC.619 E Maple St Johnson City, TN 37601Tel: 423-926-1151 Fax: 423-926-5558 www.elukegreene.com

EAST COAST CONCRETE CUTTING CO., INC.7229 Montevideo Rd Jessup, MD 20794Tel: 410-799-4540 Fax: 410-799-1978 www.eastcoastconcretecutting.com

EASTERN CONCRETE CUTTING CORP.37-31 29th St Long Island City, NY 11101Tel: 718-361-6123 Fax: 718-361-6101 www.easterncutting.com

GRONEMEIER CONCRETE CUTTING, INC.22 White Pl Bloomington, IL 61701Tel: 309-829-7991 Fax: 309-829-2685 www.gronemeier.com

HAFNER AND SON, INC.90 Atlas Rd Northampton, PA 18067Tel: 1-800-ANCHORS Fax: 610-262-4809 www.hafnerandson.com

HARD ROCK CONCRETE CUTTERS, INC.601 Chaddick Dr Wheeling, IL 60090Tel: 847-699-0010 Fax: 847-699-0292 www.hardrockconcretecutters.com

HARD ROCK SAWING AND DRILLING SPECIALIST CO.PO Box 718 Keshena, WI 54135Tel: 715-799-3823 Fax: 715-831-7840 www.hardrocksawanddrill.com

HOLES INCORPORATED9911 Franklin Rd Houston, TX 77070Tel: 281-469-7070 Fax: 281-469-6207 www.holesinc.com

HOLES OF SAN ANTONIO, INC.118 Braniff Dr San Antonio, TX 78216Tel: 210-349-5256 Fax: 210-349-0727 www.holesofsa.com


INTERNATIONAL DRILLING & SAWING, INC.PO Box 250013 Montgomery, AL 36125Tel: 334-288-2355 Fax: 334-288-7299 www.idscuts.com

K.C. CORING & CUTTING CONSTRUCTION, INC.7240 Central St Kansas City, MO 64114Tel: 816-523-2015 Fax: 816-523-8493 www.sawconcrete.com

LOMBARDO DIAMOND CORE DRILLING CO., INC.2225 De La Cruz Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95050Tel: 408-727-7922 Fax: 408-988-5326 www.lombardodrilling.com

M6 CONCRETE CUTTING & CORING1030 S McComas St Wichita, KS 67213Tel: 316-263-7251 Fax: 316-264-3517 www.conacc.com

OKLAHOMA CORING & CUTTING, INC.6025 N Douglas Blvd Arcadia, OK 73007Tel: 405-715-2500 Fax: 405-715-2504 www.sawconcrete.com

PACIFIC CONCRETE CUTTING & CORING, INC.PO Box 662261 Lihue, HI 96766Tel: 808-245-7171 Fax: 808-245-9393 www.pccchawaii.com

FS20 Saw w/ Upright Handle Kit

S16 HydraSaw

HV1810XL HydraPak

MiniSaw w/ 13” Bar

CD616HydraCore

Drill

The New Saw on the Block

www.rgcproducts.com • 1-800-RGC-TOOL

PENHALL COMPANY/CONCRETE CORING COMPANY OF HAWAII99-1026 Iwaena St Aiea, HI 96701Tel: 808-488-8222 Fax: 808-487-6679 www.penhall.com

PROFESSIONAL CONCRETE SAWING8539 Oliver Rd Erie, PA 16509Tel: 814-566-5555 Fax: 814-866-5555

ROUGHNECK CONCRETE DRILLING & SAWING8400 Lehigh Ave Morton Grove, IL 60053Tel: 847-966-6666 Fax: 847-966-6577 www.roughneck1.com

TRUE-LINE CORING & CUTTING/KNOX-VILLE LLC1902 Middlebrook Pike Knoxville, TN 37921Tel: 865-637-2131 Fax: 865-637-1973 www.sawconcrete.com

TRUE-LINE CORING & CUTTING/NASH-VILLE LLC280 Hermitage Ave Nashville, TN 37210Tel: 615-255-2673 Fax: 615-255-9685 www.sawconcrete.com

neW MeMBers

The Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association is a nonprofit trade association of contractors, manufacturers, distributors and affiliates from the construction and renovation industry. Membership in CSDA is open to concrete cutting contractors, manufacturers and distributors

of concrete cutting equipment and affiliated companies who provide products and services to the concrete sawing and drilling industry. Founded in 1972, CSDA reached the milestone of 500 member companies in 2006.

North American Contractor ADVANCED CONCRETE CUTTINGJimmy JonesPO Box 759Summerville, SC 29484Tel: 843-832-1881Fax: 843-832-2224Email: [email protected]

CUSTOM CONCRETE CUTTINGKathy Reishus814 Flormann StRapid City, SD 57701Tel: 605-209-6600Fax: 605-721-6600Email: [email protected]

EASTERN CONCRETE CUTTING CORP.Joseph A. Neos37-31 29th StLong Island City, NY 11101Tel: 718-361-6123Fax: 718-361-6101Email: [email protected]

TALISMAN CONSTRUCTION SERVICESJessant T. SpencerPO Box 6189Spokane, WA 99217Tel: 509-487-1292Fax: 509-487-1485Email: [email protected]

WALSH CONCRETE CUTTING SPECIALISTSMike Walsh1482 Industrial RdSalt Lake City, UT 84104Tel: 801-975-6400Fax: 801-975-6499Email: [email protected]

WRIGHT SAWING & BREAKINGAmarie WrightPO Box 7715Ventura, CA 93006Tel: 805-658-1815Fax: 805-658-1050Email: [email protected]

Overseas Contractor A1 KIWI CUTTERS & DRILLERS LTD.Penny SimonsPO Box 90981 Victoria Street WestAuckland 1142NEW ZEALANDTel: 64-9 420 3386Fax: 64-9 420 4329Email: [email protected]

INDO SPARK CONSTRUCTION SERVICESSandeep Ingale198 E Tararani Chowk Near Geeta MandirKolhapur, Maharashtra-416003INDIATel: 91-23 1266 3581Fax: 91-23 1668 1005Email: [email protected]

Distributor

ESCH CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY, INC.Dan Esch561 Phalen BlvdSt. Paul, MN 55130Tel: 651-487-1880Fax: 651-487-1889Email: [email protected]

AffiliateBAIN & COMPANYRegina Lee3 Times Sq Lbby BNew York, NY 10036Tel: 646-562-8377Email: [email protected]

BUSINESS NETWORKSLes CunninghamPO Box 175Walterville, OR 97489Tel: 541-746-8800Fax: 541-746-9517Email: [email protected]

CENTRALPOINT SOLUTIONS, LLCJay Shaver1680 W Reunion Ave Ste 110South Jordan, UT 84095Tel: 801-232-9768Email: [email protected]

LIEBHERR CONCRETE TECHNOLOGY CO.Herbert Botzenhart4100 Chestnut AveNewport News, VA 23607Tel: 757-928-8547Fax: 757-928-2489Email: [email protected]

MARTECWilliam Lucken27777 Franklin Rd Ste 1600Southfield, MI 48034Tel: 248-327-8031Email: [email protected]

6 0 | MArcH.10

csda membership (1993–2009)

523

540

555

510

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

are you a Fan yet?CSDA is on

Facebook, and we

want you to become a

fan! The CSDA page

is packed with all the

latest news, updates,

photos and videos

from the association

and Concrete Openings

magazine. Look out for exclusive content

and become “friends” with other fans

that are looking to network and promote

the sawing and drilling industry. Join our

growing fan base and stay in touch with

the association through your PC, laptop

or mobile device.

tips for avoiding identity theftthese are the first in a series of 21 identity theft tips provided by csDA affiliate member pre paid Legal services, inc. For more information, contact susan Kelbus at 630-605-1029 or email [email protected].

1. shred Financial documentsAny paperwork with personal information should be put through a shredder before being thrown away.

2. never Click on links in unsolicited emailsphishing is becoming a common problem. Use up-to-date firewalls, anti-spyware and anti-virus software to protect home computers. if you doubt the source of an email, open a new window and go to the web address you know in order to enter information.

3. do not use obvious Passwordsthese include your birth date, mother’s maiden name or the last four digits of your social security number.


Why i Joined Csda

Calendar

2010 IACDS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2010April 25-26, 2010Ramada Hotel City CenterSalzburg, Austriawww.iacds.org

CSDA SUMMER MEETINGSJune 10-11, 2010Marriott Cleveland AirportCleveland, OHTel: 727-577-5004www.csda.org Email: [email protected]


NATIONAL DEMOLITION ASSOCIATION 2010 CONVENTIONMarch 21-23, 2010 The Mirage Las Vegas, NV Tel: 800-541-2412 www.demolitionassociation.com

CSDAA CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION 2010March 25-26, 2010Marriott Resort Surfers ParadiseQueensland, Australiawww.csdaa.com.au

BAUMA 2010April 19-25, 2010New Munich Trade Fair Centre Munich, Germanywww.bauma.de

CSDA OPERATOR CERTIFICATION 201November 15-20, 2010St. Petersburg CollegeClearwater, FloridaTel: 727-577-5004www.csda.orgEmail: [email protected]

CSDA WINTER MEETINGSDecember 1-2, 2010Rancho Las Palmas ResortRancho Mirage, CATel: 727-577-5004www.csda.org Email: [email protected]

2011

WORLD OF CONCRETE 2011January 17-21, 2011Las Vegas Convention CenterLas Vegas, NVTel: 866-962-7469www.worldofconcrete.com

NATIONAL DEMOLITION ASSOCIATION 2011 CONVENTIONMarch 6-9, 2011The MirageLas Vegas, NVTel: 800-541-2412www.demolitionassociation.com

In 1991, with the financial backing, love and support of my parents,

my husband Doug and I started Atlantic Concrete Cutting, Inc.

We worked out of a small neighborhood garage, cutting concrete

during the day and preparing estimates at night. We used a paper

desktop calendar and a bottle of white-out to schedule our jobs.

Today, the company is a leader in the industry, and that makes me

proud. Proud of the quality service provided and proud of what the

company has become through the dedication, hard work and skill of

its employees.

A lot of factors contributed to the company’s successful

transformation. Certainly, a key factor was the decision to join

and become an active member of the Concrete Sawing & Drilling

Association. Every year since 1991, when Atlantic Concrete Cutting,

Inc. became a member of CSDA, I have benefited from the many

services, training and advice offered to me. I simply cannot imagine

managing my company today without the support of the association.

I particularly enjoy being part of a group

of friends and professionals who are always

willing to give and share information, and

provide new ideas to help the industry

advance, not excluding any company

regardless of size or location. Since I have

received so much from CSDA, my husband,

Doug, decided last year that it is his turn to

give back by serving as president. It is our

way of trying to return to the members and

the organization some of what we have been

fortunate enough to receive during the past

20 years.

nancy L. Walker, owner / President atlantic concrete cutting, Inc. Mount Holly, new Jersey email: [email protected]

nancy l. Walker

CSDA SPRING MEETINGSMarch 8-9, 2011Hyatt Regency Coconut PointBonita Springs, FLTel: 727-577-5004www.csda.org Email: [email protected]

CSDA 2011 CONVENTIONMarch 10-12, 2011Hyatt Regency Coconut PointBonita Springs, FLTel: 727-577-5004www.csda.org Email: [email protected]

CONEXPO/CONAGG 2011March 22-26, 2011Las Vegas Convention CenterLas Vegas, NVTel: 414-298-4138www.conexpoconagg.com

CSDA FALL MEETINGSSeptember 9-10, 2010Tropicana Casino and ResortAtlantic City, NJTel: 727-577-5004www.csda.org Email: [email protected]

6 2 | MArcH.10

42 Advanced cutting technologies, inc. 204-222-7400 [email protected]

43 Brokk, inc. 800-621-7856 [email protected]

5 Diamond pauber srl 39-05 85 830425 [email protected]

52, 53, inside Front cover Diamond products 800-321-5336 [email protected]

23 Diamond Vantage, inc. 816-268-8310 [email protected]

47 DiteQ corporation 816-246-5515 [email protected]

55 Dixie Diamond Manufacturing 770-921-2464 [email protected]

51 expert equipment company 713-797-9886 [email protected]

48 geophysical survey systems, inc. (gssi) 603-893-1109 [email protected]

inside Back cover Hilti north America 918-872-3553 [email protected]

32, 33, outside Back cover Husqvarna construction products 913-928-1442 [email protected]

2 ics, Blount inc. 503-653-4644 [email protected]

31 iowa wall sawing 319-934-3280 [email protected]

31 James instruments, inc. 773-463-6565 [email protected]

25 MALA geoscience UsA, inc. 843-852-5021 [email protected]

35 norton pro Diamond 800-854-3281 [email protected]

45 pentruder, inc. 562-445-6429 [email protected]

59 reimann & georger corporation (rgc) 716-895-1156 [email protected]

63 sensors & software 905-624-8909 [email protected]

36 toolgal UsA corp 706-283-9556 [email protected]

11 western saw 805-981-0999 [email protected]

Page advertiser PHone eMail

to receive additional information about products advertised in this issue, visit the advertisers page on concreteopenings.com, or contact the vendors below.

t h e o f f i c i a l m a g a z i n e o f t h e c o n c r e t e s a w i n g & d r i l l i n g a s s o c i a t i o n

readersHiP By ProFession

• architects, engineers, General contractors, Government officials

• cutting contractors

• Manufacturers, Distributors

• United states

• canada, south america

• europe

• asia, africa, australia

readersHiP By loCation

51%

86%

7%

42%5%

5%4%

Concrete openings Website

Concrete Openings now has its own website, which includes all the latest features and job stories from the current issue; contains archived issues; showcases sawing and drilling projects by technique; and provides the opportunity for readers to interact through discussion boards. Visit www.concreteopenings.com for ad rates or more information.

Target Your MessageConcrete Openings reaches sawing and drilling contractors, as well as specifiers of sawing and drilling services including engineers, architects, general contractors and governmental agencies. why waste your message on unnecessary circulation? Advertising in Concrete Openings guarantees a targeted audience of industry professionals.

Circulation 16,000+ minimum, per issue

9,500+ member and prospective member companies made up of sawing and drilling contractors, manufacturers, distributors and affiliates

6,500+ general contractors, engineers, architects and government officials who specify sawing and drilling

Readership Per IssueAn informal survey conducted by Concrete Openings concluded that for every subscriber there are at least 3.75 people who read each issue of the magazine. this gives a total readership of over 60,000 per copy. that works out to at least 240,000 impressions by readers per year.

6 4 | MArcH.10

direCtor’s DiaLogue

PatriCk o’Brien

Executive Director

t he annual world of concrete show is viewed by many in the

construction industry as a forecast of business activity for the year

ahead. while business in the industry has indeed been down for

the past couple of years, show organizer Hanley wood reported better

than expected attendance at the 2010 event in Las Vegas. the report

suggests that exhibitors were pleasantly surprised at the crowds. in addi-

tion, the people attending were the true decision-makers of businesses,

so the time exhibitors spent with attendees really paid off. perhaps a

leaner operation will be the modus operandi of the future.

As many of us know, however, the future has never been confined

to just the next year or two. An equally important, or maybe even more

important, timeframe is the next decade and even the decade beyond

that. csDA will celebrate its 38th anniversary this year, and perhaps the

most important action that has been undertaken by the association—

the past presidents group, in fact—is the launch of a next generation

group. An inaugural meeting of the csDA next generation group took

place at the world of concrete as the first step in organizing the young

people in the industry who will be the leaders of the association in the

decades ahead.

this meeting was well attended with 18 participants, and many more

expressed their interest in joining this group even though they were

not able to attend. the meeting was led by my 27-year-old daughter,

erin, who recently started working in the csDA office, and one of her

major tasks is to organize and develop this group. the participants were

concrete cutting operators, sales representatives from manufacturers

and companies affiliated with the concrete cutting industry, company

managers and show organizers.

Forward to the Future

the major topic discussed was how to make younger members feel

welcome at csDA activities and how to stimulate their interest and

increase their participation in these activities. in the past, the traditional

way of communicating for the generation that has led csDA since 1972

has been face-to-face while networking at annual conventions and

quarterly meetings. while this has worked for the older generation,

it seems that it is not the only way the younger generation chooses

to network. Many are in the formative years at their businesses and

don’t have the time or money to travel to meetings. An easier way to

communicate is through Facebook, email or teleconferencing—methods

that did not exist when csDA was formed.

the next generation group will be working to get organized

over the next few months and everyone is welcome to participate in

the effort. regular communications will be provided through social

networking, emails and postings on the group’s new Facebook page. to

join the group on Facebook, search for “csDA next generation.” the

page will advertise future meetings, post updates on all meetings and

hold discussions on several different topics.

csDA is committed to supporting the next generation effort, as

many of the current leaders realize that they are closer to the end of

their careers than to the start. now is the time to begin the transition

in leadership that will ensure csDA is as vital a part of the construction

community in the future as it has been in the past.

this is an exciting time for csDA. the association has been successful

in growing dramatically over the past two decades, and we hope that

the next generation can ensure a long and fruitful future for the

association of cutting professionals.

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www.husqvarnacp.comCopyright © 2010 Husqvarna AB (publ.). All rights reserved. Husqvarna is a registered trademark of Husqvarna AB (publ.).

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March '10 Concrete Openings

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