March 10, 2014 (Fort Dodge, Iowa)—Two trainers with superior subject matter expertise in crane operations and rigging activities will represent the Association of Crane & Rigging Professionals (ACRP) as judges for the 2014 Top Trainer award. The recognition program, produced by Crane & Rigging Hot Line magazine and endorsed by ACRP, seeks to bring attention to the importance of quality training in reducing crane and rigging accidents.

ACRP’s guest judges include Paul Kuber, an advisor and consultant to Becht Engineering, Baton Rouge, La., and Mike Smith, safety director at Crane Rental Corp., Orlando, Fla.

2015 ACRP General Assembly meeting. They will receive scholarships that can be used for train-the-trainer courses, to earn a certification, to attend an industry conference, or other educational purposes; or it can be donated to a student of their choice for similar purposes.

The 2013 winners, Hank Dutton of Travelers Insurance Co., and Angelo Alverio of Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau, will be honored at the May 13-16, 2014 ACRP General Assembly meeting in Nashville, Tenn.

Kuber is currently a Becht Engineering advisor and consultant on heavy lifts, heavy rigging, and heavy haul projects. He spent the majority of his career with ExxonMobil, where he served as a Mechanical Supervisor and Site Lift Specialist. He has had responsibility for training and knowing the content of various regulations and industry standards. He currently serves on ACRP’s board of directors, and is an active subject matter expert with various industry groups. His contributions include working with NCCER to develop curriculum and training materials for Riggers and Signal persons.

Smith is in charge of training and promoting a culture of safety in the day-to-day rental operations at Crane Rental Corp., which boasts a mobile and tower crane fleet up to 825 tons capacity, including a new 600-ton Terex AC500-2 all-terrain crane. Smith has led the company’s safety efforts, which has won them several safety awards from the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association. He currently serves on ACRP’s board of directors and is active in numerous regional groups, including Southeastern Construction Owners & Associates Roundtable, Houston Business Roundtable, and Florida Crane Owner’s Council.

Kuber and Smith join a team of crane and rigging equipment editors from MCM Group Inc., publisher of Crane & Rigging Hot Line, who will judge 2014 entries for the annual recognition program.

Nominations accepted until July 31, 2014

Trainers are recognized for having a positive impact on students, the work environment or the industry through the use of innovative training techniques or hands-on instruction, by encouraging peer or corporate accountability, and/or through quantitative or anecdotal evidence that the training was successful. One Corporate and one Professional trainer will be selected.

Click here to download the nomination form.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qxkgf4yn7tnp8f9/2014%20TT%20Fillable%20Form.pdf

There is no fee associated with making a nomination and the first 30 people to submit a complete nomination will receive a 2014 Hot Line Crane Guide, which features data on crane models from more than 100 manufacturers.

Winners will be recognized in Crane & Rigging Hot Line’s November 2014 issue and at an awards ceremony at the 2015 ACRP General Assembly meeting. They will receive scholarships that can be used for train-the-trainer courses, to earn a certification, to attend an industry conference, or other educational purposes; or it can be donated to a student of their choice for similar purposes.

The 2013 winners, Hank Dutton of Travelers Insurance Co., and Angelo Alverio of Crane Inspection and Certification Bureau, will be honored at the May 13-16, 2014 ACRP General Assembly meeting in Nashville, Tenn.