MASTERLINKIssue 107 2014

1.800.690.3921248.994.4312

Fax: 248.994.431328175 Haggerty Road

Novi, MI 48377www.acrp.net

Inside

President’s Letter 2

ACRP Calendar of Events 2

Speaker Schedule 3

General Assembly Registration Form 4

Golf Tournament 5

ACRP had a “logo lift” 6

New Members 7

Top Trainer Judges 8

Dear ACRP 9

Training Domestic & International 10

Why Join 13

Member Application 14

Positive Thoughts 15

Rigging Jeopardy 17

Ballot Information 18

2014 GA Sponsor Form 19

2

ACRP

Calendar

of Events

ACRP

Calendar

of Events

May 2014

2014April 27 - 30 AWRF General Meeting

Balitmore Marriott Waterfront

Balitmore, Maryland

May 5 - 8 WSTDA Spring Meeting

DoubleTree-Historic District

Charleston, South Carolina

May 13 - 16 ACRP General Assembly

The Inn at Opryland

Nashville, Tennessee

May 18 - 23 ASME B30

Sheraton Baltimore City Center

Baltimore, Maryland

May 21 - 23 Cordage Institute Annual Meeting

Tamaya Resort & Spa

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

June 17 - 19 LEEA – LiftEX 2014

ExCel Exhibition & Convention Center

London, England

July 18 - 19 AWRF Board of Directors

Omni at Independence Park

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

August 26 - 27 AWRF Technical Committee

Westin Crown Center

Kansas City, Missouri

September

21 - 25

ASME B30 Committee Meeting

Tropicana – A DoubleTree by Hilton

Las Vegas, Nevada

October 15 - 17 WSTDA Fall Meeting

Intercontinental at the Plaza

Kansas City, Missouri

October 26 - 29 AWRF General Meeting & P.I.E.

Hyatt Regency at the Arch

St. Louis, Missouri

Howdy ACRP Members,As your Association President, I would like to personally thank

you for being a part of this respected global organization.

What is happening in ACRP?The word is getting out that we are an entity that continues

to promote lifting equipment safety and represent the

crane and rigging industry in regulatory forums. ACRP

member companies are much more prepared for industry

changes as they occur than those who are not members.

ACRP has colleagues that and are heavily involved in

writing and updating many of the ASME B30 standards.

What is new?Our logo has been revamped to more closely align with the

association. You will be receiving as your first 2014 quarterly

mailing, a jump stick with the new logo files. I think you will agree

that the new logo has a fresh look and is eye-catching. Thank you

to Slingmax® for providing the reference material and the jump

sticks; as well as loading all this information for your review.

How far reaching is ACRP? Three of the eleven new members are located in South

America. (Brazil and Venezuela) Companies that had to

let memberships lapse because of the economy are re-

joining. One former member when asked why he decided

to re-join said, “I definitely need to be a part of this group”.

Check out page…… and welcome your new associates.

Kudos to all of you who support the association’s work.

Mark your calendar.The 2014 Annual General Assembly is being held in Nashville, TN

May 13-16th at the Inn at Opryland hotel.

I encourage all of you and your friends to attend;

especially those who know the words to the song, “Red

Solo Cup”. Our group is serious in our training practices

and crane safety; but we also have a darn good time!

The General Assembly Committee has been hard at work

scheduling 3 days of networking opportunities, 2 ½ days of rigging

jeopardy, educational presentations and a ½ day of interactive

break-out sessions. You will be amazed at the abundance of

knowledge available to you over these 3 days. There will be

tabletop displays available for products or literature, as in past

meetings this feature is included with your registration fee.

Check out the website www.acrp.net for speaker information,

agenda times, sponsorship opportunities and general information.

Sincerely,

John Hellums, Bishop Lifting Products

ACRP President

125 McCarty Drive

Houston, TX 77029

John Hellums

President’s Letter

3

Tuesday, May 136:30 am – 7:00 am Board of Director’s Breakfast7:00 am – 11:30 am Board of Director’s and Committee Meetings12:00 pm – 5:30 pm Golf at Hermitage – General’s Re-treat (1st Tee Time 12:30pm)12:30 pm – 2:30 pm Frisbee Golf1:00 pm – 5:30 pm Registration (pick up name badges, assembly materials) 6:00 pm – 6:30 pm First Timer’s & Board of Director’s Happy Hour 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm Welcome Reception

Wednesday, May 147:00 am – 8:00 am Networking Breakfast8:00 am – 8:30 am Opening Announcements / Crane & Rigging Jeopardy8:30 am – 9:30 am “Wind Loading on Crane Operations” – Ron Kohner, Landmark Engineering LTD9:30 am – 10:30 am “Challenges in Heavy Rigging & Transport” – Jim Yates, Barnhart Crane11:00 am – 12:00 pm “Logistical Considerations/Challenges for Moving Over-weight / Over-

dimensional Loads” – Andy Burns, Edwards Moving & Rigging12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch1:00 pm – 2:30 pm Association Business Meeting – President John Hellums, Bishop Lifting Products2:30 am – 5:00 pm Committee Meetings – President John Hellums, Bishop Lifting Products5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Networking Reception

Thursday, May 157:00 am – 8:00 am Networking Breakfast 8:00 am – 8:30 am Crane & Rigging Jeopardy8:30 am – 11:00 am “Interactive Lift Design”– Yannick Morin, Kraning, Inc.11:00 am – 11:30 am “It’s Not That Bad” (Overlooked Rigging Inspection Points)

Mike Riggs, The Rigging Institute12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Breakout Workshops 1 Hour Rotations

1. Plate Clamp Inspection, Assembly and Disassembly – Chris Zgoda, Columbus McKinnon

2. Making Documentation Work – Becky Darsch, Information Mapping3. Effect of Wind on Crane Loads – Sam Smith, North American Crane Bureau4. Critical Crane Accident Management –

Elements to Best Protect Your Interest –Jim Wiethorn, HAAG Engineering and Kevin Cunningham, Houston International Insurance Group (HIIG)

6:30 pm – 7:00 pm Reception7:00 pm – 10:00 pm ACRP Banquet & Entertainment with Top Trainer Awards

Friday, May 167:00 am – 8:00 am Networking Breakfast8:00 am – 9:00 am “Safely Operating Cranes Around Power Lines” – Jeremy Welch, T. V. A.9:00 am – 11:00 am “Telescopic Crawler Cranes “– William Cox, Tadano Mantis11:00 am – 11:30 am Rigging Jeopardy Results and Prizes 11:30 am – 1:00 pm Board of Director’s Meeting

4

5

6

SlingMax® Rigging Solutions has also included reference material in a digital format that can be

used with your training programs.

This is a new spin on the Membership Services Committee’s contribution to everyone’s rigging library!

ACRP had a “logo lift”

A BIG thank you to SlingMax® Rigging Solutions for

their donation of jump drives with files of the new

ACRP logo in both Windows and Mac.

Watch your mail box for the quartly mailing update.

7

New Members: Please give them a warm ACRP welcome!

American International Crane Bureau

Amanda Jordan / Don Jordan

www.cranebureau.com

Bishop Lifting Products

Jack Shreffler

www.lifting.com

Construtoro Norberto Odebrecht

Mario Joel Ramos Jr.

Roberto Antonio Paz Angarita

Camilo Filho

Crane Tech, LLC.

Bo Collier

www.cranetech.com

DCL Mooring & Rigging

Cody SchnrigerBryan MillerDoug Cutsingerwww.dcl-usa.com

Industrial Training International (ITI)

Jonathan Parnell

Richard Marcotte

www.iti.com

INC.

North American Crane Bureau (NACB)

Ted Blanton, Jr.

www.cranesafe.com

National Interstate Insurance Company

Paul Stock

www.natl.com

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Allen Hanvey

www.tva.gov

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ACRP Names Judges for 2014 Top Trainer Program

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, Fl.

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 Signalpersons.

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, 2014Trainers 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.

To download the nomination form.

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.

About MCM Group Inc.

MCM Group LLC, a

subsidiary of Heartland

Communications Group Inc.,

publishes a number of heavy

equipment magazines, electronic

newsletters, and websites for the

North American market. Its print

products —Crane & Rigging Hot

Line, Lift and Access, Contractors

Hot Line, Attachment Connection,

and Parts Connection—analyze

new technologies, discuss

industry trends, and review

unique applications for buyers

and owners of construction

and rental equipment.

Additionally, MCM Group LLC

hosts a variety of industry events,

including live conferences and

webinars, where professionals

can interact and exchange ideas

to further promote best practices

within the heavy construction

equipment industry.

www.craneandrigginghotline.com

About Association of Crane &

Rigging Professionals

ACRP is a nonprofit association

whose mission is dedicated to

improving crane operations and

rigging activities in all industries.

Members include individuals

that provide crane, rigging, or lift

equipment training, consulting,

engineering, or inspection, as

well as those who provide similar

services for in-house employees.

ACRP provides learning

opportunities at an annual

convention and through various

industry forums. Its members

represent the interests of ACRP

among many different standards

writing bodies. The 2014 General

Assembly is May 13-16 in

Nashville, Tenn. www.acrp.net

9

Dea

r

ACRP,D

ear

ACRP,

Dear ACRP,

I am wondering about OSHA’s Crane Operator Certification Requirements. Where should I look for the information? Signed Respectfully, Derrick

Dear Derrick,

You will find the requirements below through the OSHA web link.

www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/extcertdate_FAQ.html

Dear ACRP, How can I learn more about the crane & rigging industry?

Signed, Curious

Dear Curious,

Congratulations on wanting to learn about the crane and rigging industry!

Joining ACRP would be your first step in having access to the industry’s top trainers and educators. The resources available to you as a member are invaluable; benefits include: quarterly mailings on industry information, opportunities to join the association’s Committees. Industry Regulations updates and much more.

We would also recommend that you consider attending the 2014 General Assembly in Nashville, TN May 13-16. There will be 3 days of networking with crane & rigging experts, 2 ½ days of presentations and an afternoon of hands-on breakout sessions.

Should you have any questions, please contact the ACRP office at 800.690.3921 or send us an e-mail through our website: www.acrp.net

Dear ACRP,

There has been speculation on what OSHA is doing about Subpart CC Operator Qualification and Certification, what is the latest update? Signed Confused

Dear Confused,

The rule is officially being opened for proposed changes. Follow the below link for the latest news.

www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=25575

10

Training Domestic

& International

Bob Schumacher

9428 Old Pacific Highway Woodland, Washington 986741.360.225.1100www.iti.com

11

Like many US based instructors that work

in the field, we face many challenges and

obstacles while planning training at our

facilities or at client sites. If training occurs

at one of three ITI state of the art training

facilities, we’re fortunate that we can offer a

selection of ITI signature programs or tailor a

program based on the needs of a client. If we

need to conduct our training at a client’s site,

the landscape changes and we’re now tasked

to bring a specific program to the client. If that

training is happening in a different country,

there is an additional level of complexity to

deal with. Working out of the country for ITI

is not new to us as we’ve been doing this since

the early 1990’s in Canada, Brazil, Nigeria &

Mexico. Since 2007, we have added Australia,

Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Kingdom

of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Indonesia, Malaysia,

Singapore, Democratic Republic of the

Congo, Panama & Chile. International work

makes up 35% of my schedule for training and

assessments (audits) for just one of our clients,

McDermott International.

Just as with in-country work, when dealing

with challenges in working overseas the

instructor needs to have contact with the

clients appointed representative (s) to

gain as much information as possible on

specifics of their site, availability of mobile or

overhead cranes, rigging, company hoisting

& rigging guidelines, standards they follow,

safety induction requirements, classrooms,

projection, and hours of program to mention

a few. Then the fun begins; support staff

packs student program material, contents of

gear boxes are accounted for, packing lists

created, material and gear boxes shipped to

the client’s site. Travel arrangements are now

made for air, car-rental & hotels through the

travel planner. Logistics change for out of

country travel including having to deal with visa

requirements, local immigration and customs

requirements. Off-shore travel requirements

would also include planning for helicopter &

crew boats (Huet, BOISET & H2S Certification

required). When it’s time to travel, check and

see if the gear boxes arrived and if not, begin

tracking immediately. En-route weather must

be checked for possible disruption of flights;

those who traveled November 2013 through

February 2014 know this was no picnic for any

of us. For me, I was fortunate when I traveled

as it was between weather events and I did

not encounter major delays or cancellations

as some of my colleagues did. Do your best to

have a backup plan for flight delays as this will

have an effect on your clients scheduling. These

are just a sampling of trials and obstacles we

face as instructors.

In addition, we must adapt to the environment

we are in, deal with translation of local

languages and dialect, and we also need to

have a better understanding of who our clients

are based on their nationality. We must be

sensitive to their religious beliefs & cultures.

For example, typically after wire rope audits

with McDermott in Jebel Ali, UAE, I schedule

several rigging inspection & socketing classes

at the conclusion of these audits. I bring student

materials needed with me while McDermott

provides remaining material necessary for these

classes. Those in attendance are inspectors

from Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesian, Indian,

and Pakistan. This creates a challenge for me

with a mix of culture, language & followers

of Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. These

employees do get along, work as team members

without political differences. I find that English

is a 2nd language for many employees and

they are able to read and write. Pairing those

who do not understand English with those that

do, helps in the course translation allowing

all students to better participate in classroom

discussions. As an instructor, you learn how to

take a different approach on lesson delivery and

need to be patient.

For practical examinations, hands on takes

place outside in the laydown areas for cranes

or quayside for wire rope socketing. The

12

environment can be harsh where temperatures can

range 90-110f with little humidity. With humidity,

heat index can climb up to 130f. Concerns would

be having portable shelters in place for shade,

frequent breaks & heat stress. This is a health risk

for this environment. We’re trained to observe

others, look for signs of heat stress and have

on hand coolers with iced Gatorade. The work

process can take longer than we’re used to. Safety

is paramount in these harsh conditions!

Facing challenges while training at a client site,

I was assigned a mobile crane operator class for

a gold mine company in the mountains east of

Hermosillo, MX. Communicating with my contact,

they made all necessary arrangements including

a translator before my arrival. The class began

with the usual introductions, and began with

crane components and operator daily pre-start

inspections with the translator speaking while I

was talking. While this was taking place, I noticed

some of the crane operators had blank stares on

their faces as we progressed. The translator also

had questions regarding the nomenclature

being used. Further discussion with the

translator I learned he was an electrician,

not a crane operator and was not familiar

with crane terminology. Within the group of

operators, I did find one operator that could

speak some English to assist the electrician

with crane terminology. To complicate

matters, we also discovered some of the

material being used had the incorrect Spanish

translation. That evening after class, the

electrician, crane operator and I spent 4

hours reviewing the mentioned translated

material and load charts. We greatly improved

the translation and also using pictures I had

of crane components, converting them to

our journal notes, we were able to identify

them in the correct Spanish translation

for use the next day. Class the next day

went much smoother. Students recognized

the efforts that were put into changing of

the material and using both employees

for translation. I gained their confidence

by these changes in the course structure

enabling more of a two way communication

between students and instructor.

In closing, I feel globally, all students are

eager to learn. They have a desire for good

training and appreciate the efforts of the

instructors that can make adjustments and

able to convey information at a level that

is acceptable to them. I have a good feeling

when students offer that they took something

back with them that enable them to be better

operators or riggers. All I ask of them is to

not forget what they learned and to pay it

forward to another employee.

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15

Ron Overton

Overton Safety TrainingPO Box 6297 • Aloha, OR 97007P: 866.531.0403 • F: 503.356.0401Ron@overtonsafety.com

In the current hectic business climate of keeping

up with production, shipping, training, managing

expenses and developing your growth and profit

plans I thought you would enjoy taking a short

respite and reading about a recent real life miracle

which I am happy to say, actually happened.

What the heck is going on here?In November of 2013, after three plus years of a

reoccurring debilitating cough, the “ultimatum” was given

to the general practice family doctor to cease with the

ongoing possible diagnosis of “bronchitis”, or a “bug” that

was going around, or allergies that had cropped up (even

though the cough would occur in all seasons) and take

the necessary steps to find out what was the actual cause

of the incessant coughing. Enough extra strength codeine

cough syrup, allergy pills/shots and inhalers had been

consumed to where stock ownership in those companies

would have been appropriate. Enough was enough.

New possible diagnosis and tests?Now we are into December 2013 and a new possible

diagnosis was thrown out there, possible esophageal

irritation/damage from possible extreme acid reflux.

What??? So, now a prescribed extra strength drug

(like super Prilosec) was called for plus a procedure

including an esophageal/tracheal scoping with a camera.

Two weeks later after the procedure, the verdict was

in. No signs of damage, not the cause of the coughing,

discontinue the drugs and order another chest x-ray to

take another approach. Chest x-ray is performed and it

appears there may be an enlarged heart issue to look into

but doctor tells me not to worry, probably nothing, but

something to check into and check off the list of causes.

They will need to schedule an echo-cardio and take a

look and see what is causing the apparent enlargement.

Echo cardio is scheduled for January 4th, 2014 two weeks

from then.

Everyday life must go on!I decide to continue with my plans to attend the Alamo

Bowl in San Antonio and watch our Oregon Ducks whip

up on the Texas Longhorns which is the weekend prior to

the beginning of January 2014! Four of us make the trip

and look forward to a great time.

Positive thoughts still produce some miracles!

OK, guys are just plain stubborn when it comes to health issues!• So my flights are a disaster, I cannot breath on them and

have to sit totally upright to catch my breath. I keep it all

to myself for 4 hours flying to San Antonio thinking things

will go away, even though this is the first time it has ever

happened to me in 30 flights last year.

• I cannot walk more than about two blocks without losing

my breath in San Antonio, even though I am a high school

soccer coach in the fall and do some physical work in

practice with the players without issue last fall and summer

so this is something different.

• I almost pass out walking up two large flights of stairs at the

Alamo Dome, and have to take a breather against the wall

to get my faculties back. I sit in the chair at the game and do

not leave it (Happy to say the Ducks dominated them!)

• I decide to wait until we get back to Portland to talk with

my doctor (probably not a very good decision waiting) and

just chill out the rest of the trip, just resting in my room

while others partied in San Antonio that night, and struggled

again on the return flight (fortunate that I made it).

• Of course I don’t say very much to my spouse about the

problem because she would worry unnecessarily.

Go to the Hospital for some basic testing, and??So my wife wants to go to the hospital the day after I get

back for my echo cardio procedure which I find out is

like looking inside my chest with the goop and gel being

smeared all over your chest. The procedure is supposed

to take about 45 minutes and I joke with the echo cardio

technician about hoping I am not pregnant, and she informs

me she cannot comment on anything she sees and only

doctors can interpret the results of the testing probably

about 3-5 days after the procedure is finished. 10 minutes

after we start the procedures, the technician abruptly stops

the testing, has me sit up and wipe off the gel from my

chest, and tells us she will be back in a moment. Initially I

thought she was taking an emergency bathroom break but

kind of wondered why I was cleaning myself up, if she was

coming back?

16

Things are happening, but not sure what?The technician returns in about 10 minutes, and informs

me the heart specialist has looked at the echo cardio and

highly recommends we go immediately to emergency and

check myself in. They will call downstairs and let them

know I am coming.

I go down to emergency where about 2 dozen people are

waiting to be seen, and think to myself, well this will be

about a 3 hour wait to get to see someone. Before the

thought can leave my head, my name is called and I am

whisked into an emergency operating room. Before I know

what is going on, I am hooked up to an IV, have nine or ten

electrical sensors stuck to my chest and am hooked up to

some crazy looking monitor. Still no one has spoken to me

about anything accept to say that I have a problem, and

the doctor will see me soon.

What?? Why me??After about 30 minutes of waiting plugged in and

wondering what was going on, a doctor finally comes

in. My jaw is dropping the more she talks, and I cannot

believe what is being said to me.

I have a very enlarged heart, which I am now told is not

good. I am diagnosed with congestive heart failure and my

heart is well on the way to failure. My heart is operating at

about 15% ejection/fraction which I am told is really really

low and bad. Normal is 60%. The doctor stresses to me

that at this moment, my heart is borderline terminal. They

are hoping they can stabilize my heart somewhat with

drugs but first must get about 30lbs of fluid off my heart,

lungs and legs, by taking other drugs. I am now shocked

and without words.

Just when I think I have heard it all, there comes more.

Evidently they also located a large mass in one of my

ventricle chambers which appears to be a tumor or

growth. It is not a blood clot, they can tell the difference.

This is in danger of clogging my valve or getting into my

lung cutting off the blood flow.

I finally ask the doctor how this can happen to my heart? I

have never smoked, don’t drink but about a drink a month,

was very athletic up until my last knee surgery about

five years ago, and generally am in good health. I am told

possibly a virus, but they will need to check my arteries

with further testing, once they admit me to the hospital

heart ward that day.

I am checked into the heart ward that evening January 4th,

and in 36 hours one of the cocktail of drugs they had me

on caused me to lose 21lbs of excess fluid (you can figure

out how the loss occurred, but needless to say it was very

active). It was nice to see my ankles again as they showed

up after the fluid had retreated, and my actual chin made

an appearance after being missed for about 3 years or so.

Turns out after more testing with cameras, that my arteries

to and from my heart are all clear (well flowing about

85% anyway, which I am told is excellent at 58 years old),

no stints or bypass surgery needed in my lifetime and the

blood flow was not the cause of my heart failure. They are

standing on the diagnosis/reason of the upper respiratory

virus issue causing the damage over time and the possible

reason. After a week in the heart ward I am released to

go home and let the drugs work on my heart for the rest

of my life and hope to see some increased heart function

in a year or two. The tumor on the other hand, must be

dealt with immediately, so make sure I make all necessary

arrangements for my personal and business life and they

would get the surgery scheduled ASAP.

Where’s Waldo?So I am scheduled for open heart surgery to remove the

tumor from my heart on February 12, 2014.

The anesthesiologist shows up right before surgery and

informs my wife and I that I am at a much higher risk that

normal heart surgery with my heart being so weak and in

such bad shape even though the valves and arteries are

good. Do I understand the increased risk? Crap that does

not sound good… my wife and I both respond, I guess, yes

we do.

So I am knocked out at 7am on the operating table

expecting to wake up either meeting my maker, or in the

recovery room in about 5 hours or so.

My first memory is waking up slightly in the recovery room

and seeing a bright white light overhead, and thinking to

myself, OH NO, I did not make it. However as I focused

on the light more intently, it became apparent it was a

fluorescent tube light and I was pretty sure my maker

would at least have LED lighting! I was still here, and made

it thru the surgery, HOORAY!

My next memory is rolling my shoulders forward and

backwards and thinking to myself that this was not so

bad, the pain was nowhere close to the knee surgeries I

had experienced in the past. As I rolled by into the drug

induced sleep I thought, this surgery was a piece of cake.

Waking up in the ICU room about 5 hours later I am told

that the surgery was not performed. Evidently they did a

TEE, tracheal endoscopic echo cardio from the inside to

find the final position and locate the tumor, and can’t find

any signs of the tumor, anywhere. CAT scan and full body

MRI the next day can’t locate it anywhere either. Where’s

Waldo? They are stumped, it has totally disappeared! I

am freed from the hospital and now am recovering on my

meds. Restricted from flying, but what the heck, still here

to see grandchildren, kids and my friends!

I had hundreds of people praying for me and thinking

positive thoughts during my ordeal, and thank you all for

your support!

I have no doubt about the fact that miracles do indeed

happen! Take care, work safely and stay positive in

EVERYTHING!

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Danny Bishop

Corporate Director of Value Added TrainingThe Crosby Group LLC

Below are a few rigging questions to test your knowledge.

These question represent some of the skills that can be gained by attending ACRP’s General Assembly.

Hope to see you at our upcoming General Assembly May 13-16 in Nashville, TN.

Answer KeyCADAB

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2014 Election Ballots will

be sent to the membership Please remember that membership

dues must be current

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