Underground Construction - June 2019 - 6

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JUNE 2019 | UConOnline.com

Plastic Pipes XX Conference Planned for 2020
Abstracts for papers to be presented at Plastic Pipes XX may be
submitted until Oct. 22, 2019. The conference and exhibition,
sponsored by the Plastic Pipes Conference Association-
comprising the Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI), PE 100+ Association,
and the European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA)-
takes place Sept. 21-23, 2020, in Amsterdam at Hotel Okura.
Totaling about 100, papers presented during the main program will cover topics such
as market issues, plastics pipeline solutions, application areas for plastic pipes, processing,
test methods and performance of plastic pipes and fittings, sustainability and case studies.
For a full list of key subjects and additional guidelines, visit the conference websites:
plasticpipesconference.com or ppxx.eu.
Another event involving PPI participation, with other plastics organizations, was the
2019 Plastics Industry Fly-In to discuss issues such as recycling, open competition, trade
and workforce development with members of Congress.
Tony Radoszewski, CAE, president of PPI, presented the organization's position that
opening up federally funded infrastructure projects to include thermoplastic pipe can
increase the elimination of plastic waste.
"From these meetings, we feel that there is a drive within Congress to focus strongly
on incorporating sustainability, resiliency and life-cycle analysis into the federal, state and
local procurement process," said Daniel Currence, P.E., director of engineering for PPI's
Corrugated Pipe Division, who was also on the Hill.

Toledo Uses Simulators to Train Public Works Staff
Toledo, Ohio's Public Service and Public Utilities
departments together employ more than 75 heavy
equipment operators to run the municipality's
equipment fleet. From motor graders and backhoes,
to utility trucks and cranes, the fleet is used to dig,
trench, lift and move materials all over the city.
CM Labs' SimGuide Service was used to
However, the city had no formal training
help the City of Toledo determine how to
program
for such equipment until 2018, when it
maximize the use of their Vortex Simulator.
received its CM Labs Vortex simulator. Selected
for its versatility, the simulator enables training on multiple machines so the city's heavy
equipment operators could gain familiarity with most machines in the fleet.
In addition, CM Labs provided its SimGuide Service to help the City of Toledo understand
how to maximize the use and return on investment for their Vortex simulator. SimGuide
Service is designed to support organizations at any stage of simulator adoption, whether
developing a simulation-based training program for the first time or extending use of their
existing Vortex simulator.
For example, many operators who need to reposition the backhoe while digging will turn
the seat and leave the tripod position, instead of using the arm to position the tractor. "This
basic controls exercise taught them to use the backhoe to move themselves around, which
makes them so much more efficient," said Tim Plath, a 30-plus-year employee and manager
of health and safety for the city's Department of Public Service.
When an operator uses the clutch disconnect rather than going into a low gear, it creates
more wear on the machine. With simulator training, he can catch and correct bad habits.
"All I would be able to see in a field exercise is if they got down the hill without having an
incident," he added.
In the future, the human resources department is planning to also use the Vortex
simulator to screen potential operators and new hires, as well as in testing current operators
for promotion to new positions.

http://www.UConOnline.com http://www.plasticpipesconference.com http://www.ppxx.eu

Underground Construction - June 2019

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