TAG GROUP: Tools & Equipment

Weekly Poll (129)

Do you expect your company to seriously consider autonomous blasting equipment in the near future in order to cut down on the danger to blasting workers?

Based on your experience on coatings projects, what option best describes the amount of money spent (from the project's total cost) on buying or renting surface preparation equipment required for a project’s completion:

A University of Texas at Arlington researcher received a grant to evaluate a trenchless cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) method that relines old sewer pipes in Washington, D.C., with new plastic material, which is then cured in place with hot water. Do you believe this method could become widespread within a decade?

The Royal Canadian Navy’s ship inspection program entered an agreement with Qii.AI to utilize AI-assisted digital inspection. Do you believe AI-based inspection can become an effective tool in the industry?

A runway at Reno-Tahoe International Airport was shut down due to surface scaling less than a year after the runway opened. While contractors and consultants are working to determine the cause, what do you believe could be the cause of this issue?

The Connecticut Department of Transportation believes extreme temperature swings have caused a sudden release of lead-based paint chips on bridges across the state. Do you believe this is a problem that will become widespread in other states?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it was seeking public comment on a new proposal that addresses environmental justice, climate change and PFAS contamination. Do you believe that the proposed initiatives cover the appropriate compliance concerns?

ASTM International announced it would develop a proposed standard for fiber-reinforced concrete to give the engineering community the data needed to measure tensile strength. While it was reported that the use of fiber reinforcement has been “limited,” do you believe fiber-reinforced concrete will become more widely used in the construction industry within the next decade?

A recent study observed tribological behavior of coatings in real-time, looking at fracturing and delamination of coatings. Do you believe studying this method could help improve the design of coatings and surface treatments?

A commercial coatings contractor in Tennessee recently reported it uses drones for power washing services on commercial, government and residential structures. What is your experience with drones or robotics in the industry?

Do you expect your company to seriously consider autonomous blasting equipment in the near future in order to cut down on the danger to blasting workers?

Last month, Boeing asked the Federal Aviation Administration to approve a potential fix for peeling paint on its jetliners due to ultraviolet radiation, involving incorporating a layer of UV-blocking black topcoat between the primer and the white topcoat. If successful, do you think more airlines should upgrade their coatings systems?

German automobile and motorcycle manufacturer BMW has submitted a patent for a vehicle scratch detection system with paint films that would allow drivers to be alerted when their car is scuffed. Do you believe this technology could be applied in other coating industries for abrasion detection?

Last month, AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings unveiled a new virtual reality training for painting aircraft, allowing a user to mimic a customer’s production environment and multiple coating systems to train teams virtually. Do you believe this technology is an effective way to train new painters?

Do you ever use waterjetting as part of the surface preparation work you do?

A cleaning and inspection tool development led by Australian energy company Woodside now offers remote inspection of equipment on offshore platforms. Do you believe the human-sized robot inspection system will be beneficial in regard to worker safety?

Experts have recently expressed concern over the pipes planned for the long-delayed Mountain Valley Pipeline, including coating integrity, corrosion and safety. According to reports, the pipes have been sitting above ground with coating dates from 2017. Do you believe that the coating integrity should be a cause for concern?

Have you submitted a nomination for the 2022 JPCL Prestige Awards program?

Civil engineers at the University of Dayton can now utilize a new virtual reality lab to “bring buildings to life,” allowing students to better understand a building’s placement and operation before construction commences. Do you believe this technology will be useful for building design and inspection in the industry?

What is your take on drone inspections?

After a two-year break, a fundraising campaign to paint a water tower in Hamburg, New York, as a hamburger has returned, with hopes to boost economic development and tourism in the area. Do you believe the campaign will reach its goal this time around?

Last month, a Pittsburgh-based company announced the release of its autonomous coating system. Has your company considered using robotics technology for paint application?

Last month, the Biden-Harris Administration released a new Permitting Action Plan to accelerate federal permitting and environmental reviews for infrastructure projects funded through the bipartisan infrastructure law. Do you believe this will help expedite projects?

How prevalent do you think autonomous or robotic systems for surface preparation will become over the next decade?

Has your company considered using more novel approaches to surface preparation, such as dry-ice blasting or laser cleaning, in its operations?

When preparing a steel bridge or similar structure for recoating, what method of surface preparation does your company use most often?

What do you consider most important when purchasing abrasive blast media?

When it comes to selecting an abrasive media for surface preparation on steel, do you find that expendable abrasives or recyclable abrasives perform better?

Ground walnut shells, corn cob, ice cubes and high-pressure water are a few examples of less toxic abrasive blasting material options. Should standards be adapted on a large scale to implement the use of these alternatives in abrasive blasting?

Aside from size and hardness, what factor do you consider most important when choosing abrasive media?

How important is it to you to use green technology when it is an option?

The Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change attributes at least 50% of rising sea levels to thermal expansion since 1971 and warns that sea levels now threaten saltwater intrusion on coastal infrastructure worldwide. Do you believe coastal infrastructure has been properly prepared and protected for these rising sea levels?

In 2021, the Florida Building Codes Act was amended to authorize any government entity with the authority to enforce the building code to perform virtual inspections as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, New York City implemented a similar policy with a new Remote Video Inspections program for construction inspections. How quickly do you believe policies officially authorizing virtual or remote inspection will be adopted on a national scale?

A fourth-year forensic science student from the University of Toronto, Bethany Krebs, discovered a form of abrasive blasting that could be more efficient in revealing fingerprints than conventional dusting methods. By using abrasive blasting, Krebs argues that the methodical, uniform technology of abrasive blasting minimizes the risk of error that comes with traditional fingerprinting. Do you believe this new method of fingerprinting will eventually be used by forensic departments?

With fall protection violations making the list of most frequently cited standards for the past decade, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be making random weekend safety inspections of construction sites in Colorado. Do you believe these surprise inspection measures should be adopted nationwide?

A recent report from construction software company Levelset found that 11% of construction business always get paid in full—a reported 75% drop compared to pre-pandemic. If applicable, how has your own business been affected regarding on-time payments?

The Montana Department of Transportation recently announced plans to paint a walkway on the Beartracks Bridge in downtown Missoula with a concrete stain slated to reduce surface temperatures. If successful, do you think the coatings should be adopted for walkways in other, warmer states in the U.S.?

Based on your experience regarding coatings projects, what option best describes the amount of money spent (from the project's total cost) on buying or renting coating application equipment required for a project’s completion:

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory recently confirmed that the U.S. Green Building Council is piloting a new credit for the installation of cool exterior walls in new homes, schools and commercial buildings for the purpose of mitigating urban heat islands. Do you think the pilot credit will inspire more facility owners to integrate cool walls?

In April, the City of Miami announced that it would be investing nearly $4 billion in spending over the next 40 years in an effort to keep the city dry from rising seas. Do you believe other coastal communities will be making similar announcements in the near future?

A study recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine associated paint-stripping chemical methylene chloride to more deaths than what has previously been acknowledged by the Environmental Protection Agency. With this information in mind, do you feel the chemical should have been fully banned by the Agency back in June 2020?

To restore a 19th-century bridge in Minneapolis, officials from Collins Engineers recently announced that they’d be working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation on incorporating Microsoft HoloLens headsets with software from Bentley Systems. If the virtual inspections are sufficient, do you think other DOTs will adopt the software as well?

The New York City Department of Buildings has recently begun piloting a new Remote Video Inspections program that will replace in-person visits for some construction inspections. Do you think other states will adopt a similar program?

For the first time in the agency’s history, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently completed a climate change review. Do you think more projects will be required to undergo this type of review?

Based on your experience on coatings projects, what option best describes the amount of money spent (from the project's total cost) on buying or renting surface preparation equipment required for a project’s completion:

What factor do you think most contributed to Fall Protection—General Requirements being the number one most frequently cited standards in the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s fiscal year 2020 report:

Based on your experience on coatings projects, what option best describes the amount of time spent for surface preparation regarding the project’s total:

In January, Notre Dame Cathedral officials reported that they were considering implementing lasers for the decontamination and cleaning efforts of the structure. Would you ever consider this technology to weed out contamination without using chemical or mechanical abrasion?

Regarding the PaintSquare Connect curriculum, what tracks would you have liked to see more content?

In November, the Biden-Harris transition team announced a plan to tackle climate change. Do you think Congress will support carbon capturing and storage infrastructure projects?

Recently, international engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti announced the launch of a software that uses artificial intelligence to identify and assess damage and deterioration in building envelopes and structures. Do you think the T2D2 software will be successfully adopted by building inspectors?

In late August, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health—part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—released guidance on counterfeit respirators. Do you believe the guidance has had a positive impact on how employers can keep their employees safe?

In the wake of a new construction schedule, DEMAG CC-8800—the world’s fourth-largest crawler crane—has begun work on the $1.66 billion Las Vegas’ MSG Sphere. While the crane is reported to weigh 869 tons, an 850-ton counterweight is slated to be added for stability. Do you feel these measures will prove successful in lifting the 182-ton center compression ring for the domed roof?

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have reportedly designed a new face mask that is designed to be easily sterilized and reused multiple times. While the mask is being made as a response to COVID-19, do you think the design will be popular in the paints/coatings industry as well?

In May, the WaterJet Technology Association announced that it had partnered with the Houston Area Safety Council to create a new field verification training and certification program for safe and standardized hydroblasting operations. Do you think the program will be more beneficial to professionals than WJTA’s mid-1980s reference: Industry Best Practices for the Use of High-Pressure Waterjetting Equipment?

Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued further interim enforcement guidance on the reusing of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators. Do you think the additional guidance has been beneficial to the industry?

Michigan Department of Transportation has recently adopted the use of unmanned, remote-control boats for conducting bridge inspections. Do you think the safer, less labor-intensive technology will become favorable by other DOTs for bridge inspections?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently finalized the list of the next 20 chemicals to undergo risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Do you think the results of the evaluation will help protect individuals in the industry?

UNStudio and Monopol Colors are currently showcasing “The Coolest White” paint—an extremely reflective white paint—in the “State of Extremes” in Israel’s Design Museum Holon’s Decennial Exhibition. Reported to prolong the lifecycle of urban building and structure coatings to 30 years, do you think the coating will be used in more future projects?

Recently, the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation released a 102-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding updates to National Bridge Inspection Standards. With comments due by Jan. 13, 2020, do you believe the new requirements and inspection interval adjustments will help better properly evaluate and inspect these types of structures?

At the end of November, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the ban on all retail distribution of methylene chloride to consumers for paint and coatings removal officially went into effect. Do you believe the ban will help protect consumers from the chemical’s health and safety risks?

The EPA announced last month that it would be receiving comments regarding a draft risk evaluation of more than 70 uses for methylene chloride until Dec. 30. Do think the information collected will successfully promote a list of actions needed to address those risks within the timeframe, as required by TSCA?

Following NYC’s initiatives set by the Climate Mobilization Act, Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced plans to conduct deep energy retrofits in nine city facilities, in addition to plans for identifying another 28 facilities for future retrofits. The initiative aims to cut energy usage by more than 50%. Do you believe the plan will be successful?

The Mackinac Bridge, located at the Straits of Mackinac in northern Michigan recently received a new paint job with help from a Ruby+Associates-designed movable scaffolding system. Without the innovative equipment, do you think the project would have been able to reach completion within a year?

In July, an Italy-based project titled, “Urban Flying Opera,” used drones to paint a large-scale graffiti project with the aim to beautify the city of Torino. With more stories of drones being utilized for this type of coatings work, do you think the technology has the potential to eventually replace commercial painters?

As reported by the Center for Climate Integrity early last month, various U.S. coastal communities are expected to pay $416 billion in seawall protection services over the next 20 years. Do you think all 50,000 miles worth of coastal barriers will be successfully installed or will we see the abandonment of waterfront communities?

In April, a stress corrosion crack was to blame for a gas pipeline explosion that occurred just north of Mexico, Missouri. Reports indicate that the pipeline was previously tested in 2015, involving a magnetic field test. However, when a hydrotest was taken of the pipe following the incident, the test failed four times prior to its success. Do you believe pipeline inspections should be using hydro-technology over magnetic methods?

According to a recent report, by percentage, New York City’s fatal falls more than doubled the national number. Throughout the United States, 17 percent of worker deaths were caused by fatal falls, whereas fall events were behind 36 percent of work deaths in NYC. Are you surprised by these numbers?

Do you expect your company to seriously consider autonomous blasting equipment in the near future in order to cut down on the danger to blasting workers?

Two more paint companies have reportedly joined other manufacturers and box stores in discontinuing paint-stripping products that contain methylene chloride and NMP. Do you think the industry is moving in the right direction regarding these chemicals?

How do you decide what media to use on a given abrasive blasting job?

Methylene chloride paint strippers are being phased out by some companies and retailers ahead of an anticipated partial ban by the EPA. Should they be done away with entirely?

A recent industry roundtable discussing facade maintenance cited access point maintenance as an issue that building owners need to be more aware of. Do you agree?

Do you expect your company to seriously consider autonomous blasting equipment in the near future in order to cut down on the danger to blasting workers?

OSHA recently released its list of the top 10 violations cited in the past fiscal year, with fall protection again topping the list. Does the industrial painting industry do enough to ensure safety from falls on jobsites?

A Canadian worker’s recent death has been blamed on an allergic reaction to walnut-shell blasting media. Should these products be subject to further safety regulations?

Aside from price, what is the primary factor influencing your decision to buy surface prep and application equipment instead of renting or leasing?

Overall, do you find that your company buys, rents or leases surface prep and application equipment for your coating projects? Select one, and please explain why in comments.

Do you ever use waterjetting as part of the surface preparation work you do?

After three Miami construction cranes snapped in the wake of Hurricane Irma in September, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said that the city would consider stricter codes for the cranes in the future, even if it would cause building costs to rise. The cranes are currently supposed to withstand 145 mph winds. Do you think crane codes should be increased?

A German energy company recently became the first to use thermal spray aluminum to protect the monopiles of a new offshore wind farm. Will TSA soon become the standard for protecting these assets?

What method of surface preparation does your company use most often on jobs?

A Connecticut man was recently convicted of faking a bridge inspection, leading to the reinspection of dozens of bridges in the region. In cases like this, should an inspector’s employer also be held responsible?

A Florida startup is looking to introduce a painting drone for industrial applications by year’s end. Do drones represent the future of painting in the industrial sector?

Has your company considered using robotics technology for paint application?

Has your company considered using more novel approaches to surface preparation, such as dry-ice blasting or laser cleaning, in its operations?

According to Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.’s blog on D+D, there are varying approaches to surface preparation of weathering steel when replacing sealant. Which approach are you most likely to follow?

Do you anticipate taking part in planning or erecting a containment structure for a field blasting/coating job this year?

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed bans on chemicals found in consumer and commercial paint removal products. Good or bad move?

How prevalent will autonomous or robotic systems for surface preparation become over the next decade?

Do you find safety rules and regulations governing scaffolds and scaffold-related hazards such as falls, failing objects, structural instability, overloading and electrocution easy to understand and follow? *Editor's Note: Poll answer options were updated Nov. 22.

Last month, a painter fell to his death on a water tower job, working for a firm with numerous safety violations and falls in its history. What more can be done to prevent such tragedies?

San Francisco's Millennium Tower has been found to have sunk 16 inches since it opened eight years ago—more than the 6 inches it was predicted to settle in its lifetime. What should be done now?

When a safety inspector finds a potentially unsafe condition on a jobsite and notifies supervisors who then fail to warn workers of the danger, he or she should:

As a coatings professional, when you tackle “small” painting jobs around the house, do you still observe the same kinds of safety precautions you do on the job?

The Golden Gate Bridge is getting a $76 million metal "net" system to deter jumpers from using the bridge to end their lives. Do you think this is a good use of those funds?

Drones are becoming increasingly popular for construction work. Does your company plan to use them?

To what extent are you using social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn) to advance your business?

OSHA will not investigate a scaffolding collapse in Portland that damaged property but did not injure anyone. Should some federal agency be required to review job-site accidents that occur when no one is working?

After numerous warnings, federal OSHA has rejected Arizona’s residential fall-protection guidelines as too lenient. Should states be allowed to craft standards that are looser than federal OSHA’s?

New York's 135-year-old Scaffold Safety Law holds employers and owners 100% liable in injury lawsuits if they fail to provide adequate equipment or training. A new bill would change the law to factor in the worker's responsibility. What do you think?

Assuming the highest level of competence by each, who is generally the better painter: a robot or a human?

After 4½ years, the EPA is set to announce Dec. 19 whether it will reclassify coal ash as hazardous waste. What’s your prediction?

What is the best way for employers to ensure that employees who are provided fall protection actually wear it?

About how often do you see full compliance with fall protection on a project?

The U.S. EPA is weighing its next move on dangerous chemical paint strippers. What should that move be?

In general, how often do you see workers using appropriate fall protection measures and equipment in roofing work?

California is targeting two specific chemicals used in paint stripper and spray polyurethane foam. What do you think?

Deaths and citations from worksite falls are reaching new highs. So why do so many workers still skip fall protection?

Deaths and citations from worksite falls are reaching new highs. Why don’t more workers use appropriate fall protection?

Overall, how do you feel about the quality of today’s coating inspectors?

How integral is a smartphone or tablet to your work?

What industry trends do you follow most closely?

New Jersey has decided to waive some environmental permitting requirements to allow for the immediate rebuilding of public infrastructure that was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Good or bad idea?

EPA has been deliberating for more than two years on whether to regulate Coal Combustion Residuals (slag, ash) as hazardous waste. What do you think?

What types of mistakes do you see most often in coating work?

Climate change has been the subject of lively debate in this newsletter and website (durabilityanddesign.com) in recent weeks. What's your opinion of the extraordinarily hot weather affecting much of the nation and what it may mean in relation to climate change?

An experienced industrial painter crippled in a 40-foot fall was recently awarded $2.3 million for his injuries, although he was not wearing fall protection. What do you think of this jury verdict?

More than a dozen Americans (including painters) have died in recent years from methylene chloride paint strippers. Now the European Union is cracking down on the products. What should the US do?

What is the owner’s obligation to inform a contractor about lead or other hazardous material in a coating to be removed or disturbed?

How many apps do you use regularly on your smart phone?

New York’s Scaffold Law is the only one in the nation that holds employers automatically 100% liable for elevation-related injuries to workers. Is this fair?

Overall, how do today’s integrity, craftsmanship and quality in industrial painting compare to a generation ago?

In what areas of your work would you like to see more apps or online tools?

Congress is considering slashing EPA’s and OSHA’s authority and/or funding. How will this affect the coatings industry?

When is 3rd coating party inspection justified on commercial coating work?

A new study shows growing and widespread non-compliance with requirements for Personal Protective Equipment. What is your impression of PPE compliance across the industry?

The economy is pressuring many contractors to bid as low as possible, which has led many to cut corners wherever possible. As a contractor, how often do you attempt to meet only the minimum specifications for surface preparation and coatings application?

Submitted by Jesse Chasteen
Kalispell, MT

What is the biggest area of challenge in quality control of coating work?

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