I just came across this rather interesting piece on Volvo heavy equipment excavators.  Take a peak at some comments and review from NAHETS staff.

The full size Volvo heavy equipment excavator EW160B shovel is a great piece of heavy equipment machinery for all operators.  

Volvo Escavaators

 The cabin is spacious and has departments for the storage of personal items. The excavator cabin offers a good view of the road around the machine and reduces the blind spot. Tint on the  safety glass reduces the brightness of the sun. 

At the upper end of the scale, size and energy, Volvo EC700B crawler excavator does tons work of the characteristics that one normally found in large heavy equipment excavator models. The housing is designed to be strong enough to handle tough working conditions every day. Volvo offers the largest engine in the 70 tons class. 

As the small shovels, Volvo, the operator of the cabin has a wide range of functions, to raise productivity and convenience. The spacious cabin is plenty of room for personal effects, and has a good ergonomics. The seat is adjustable by the operator and the console control, the meet, regardless of any operator, the shape and size. The noise and vibration to a minimum in this Volvo heavy equipment excavators to reduce the shock and increases  material movement. 

The figures for the Volvo heavy equipment EC700B  are truly impressive. The trench depth of 27 feet 7 inches and is very impressive. The 11 foot width lane offers an excellent balance and stability.

We would love to have this piece in any of our member heavy equipment training schools, states Matt Klabacka, of the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools (NAHETS). 

Apparently reps of union local with 1500 members of cranes and heavy equipment operators was under the control of federal prosecutors for more than two dozen members were convicted of corruption by the Mafia in recent years.   This according to a recent news articles. 

It is my understanding that  civil racketeering after two requests for the prosecution in the Colombo and Genovese crime family, netting 26 convictions for extortion work of local members and representatives.  Wow pretty significant stuff it is accurate. 

I believe the indictment alleges that the mafia extorted union leaders to create a no-show jobs for employees crowd, while union leaders and members took bribes and kickbacks by contractors. 

The decree, I think, allows a judge to appoint an ethical lawyer and hearing officer to oversee the Union for a term of five years could be extended. The lawyer for ethical practices in a position to verify the costs and union contracts, to supervise the elections and the seizure of assets. The hearing officer disciplinary hearings will be supervised by the lawyer ethical practices and will be able to suspension, fine or fire members of the union. 

Apparently, the local union has agreed to amend its statutes to ensure his removal work process is free from corruption, employers want some employees to work to make the request in writing and pledging not to discriminate against or for some employees.

The bulletin board that hangs in the Career Services Resource Center at the Oklahoma College of Construction is a constant reminder of the dangers of mobile cranes.

Nearly every morning, school administrators post a media story on the board about another on-the-job crane accident from somewhere in the United States, with body counts often noted in the headlines.

Thursday’s crane collapse in Oklahoma City, which resulted in one death, is the most recent example.

“There’s an accident worldwide almost everyday,” said Jerry McGinnis, college president. “But they can be avoided.”

According to Forster Barnes, the lead crane instructor at the Oklahoma College of Construction, about 50 percent of accidents can be linked to improperly trained workers.

“Most of these accidents can be avoided,” he said. “It’s a combination of being better prepared in the classroom and in training, and just taking your time in the field.”

Barnes said many of the workers involved in these accidents graduate from abbreviated three- or five-day programs, during which they can earn temporary certification.

He believes such rushed schooling can leave workers unprepared to both operate cranes and assemble them.

To remedy this, 15 states and six cities have passed legislation requiring workers to have crane-operating licenses, which require potential operators to pass standardized tests. The tests have both written and hands-on components.

But New York, Florida and Texas, where major crane accidents have occurred recently, don’t require such licensing. Neither does Oklahoma.

Barnes said that’s no coincidence. He believes if all crane operators received the training that students at the Oklahoma College of Construction receive, the bulletin board in the Career Services Resource Center would be a lot emptier.

The college requires students to take three- or six-week courses and to pass written and hands-on tests before certification is issued.

“These kids are prepared when they graduate from here,” Barnes said.

The college has been recognized as a national leader in safety and in almost every other major aspect of crane training. In 2005, the National Association of Heavy Equipment Training Schools, certified the Oklahoma College of Construction as one of only five member schools throughout the country — institutions that provide top-of-the-line training and job placement.

The school uses a magnetized board to track internal crane accidents during on-campus student training. Red magnets represent days without accidents; green magnets represent days with accidents.

“There’s rarely a green magnet – if ever,” said Gail McCraw, McGinnis’ secretary.

But six fatal crane accidents in the past five months have thrust all construction schools under a microscope.

In March, a crane collapse in New York City left seven dead. Ten days later, another crane collapse left two workers dead and five injured in Miami, Fla. Major accidents in Dallas and Houston also have made headlines, in addition to the tragedy that occurred Thursday in Oklahoma City.