Page 26 - Sept-Oct2017 Vol35 No3
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TCAPWA EVENTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Middle Branch Meeting from page 24 West Branch Meeting from page 25
and promote Young Professional development and growth States Program Senior Project Manager for the Corps of Engi-
within the association. Following Lane’s words of encourage- neers Memphis District. Whitlock discussed the Continuing
ment for Young Professional growth, members and guests were Authorities Program and Planning Assistance to States Program.
treated to a buffet-style lunch while listening to an instructive During the presentation, Whitlock discussed the various water
presentation on the topic of silica dust and the effects it has on resource authorities and assistance services the Corps provides
the workplace in regard to construction and new regulations set for Master Plans and Storm Water Management plans to local
aside by OSHA. area governments.
Crystalline silica is a common mineral found in many materials, The second speaker of the meeting was David Blackwood, the
both naturally occurring and in those used at construction sites. Civil Engineering Manager from the West Tennessee River Basin
Respirable silica is generated by high-energy operations like cut- Authority. During his presentation, Blackwood discussed the
ting, sawing, grinding, drilling and crushing stone, rock, concrete, management of West Tennessee’s altered and evolving stream
brick, block and mortar. Activities such as abrasive blasting with systems. Blackwood discussed and showed examples of environ-
sand; sawing brick or concrete; sanding or drilling into concrete mentally sensitive stream maintenance projects, grade control
walls; grinding mortar; and cutting or crushing stone generate projects, watershed stabilization, and stream and floodplain
respirable dust. The new rule requires that employers use engineer- restoration projects.
ing controls, such as ventilation and wet methods for cutting and
sawing crystalline silica-containing materials, to reduce workers’ During the presentation, attendees were provided lunch spon-
exposure to silica dust. This informative piece relates to construc- sored by Fisher Arnold Engineering Integration, and two restau-
tion within the Public Works scope of work. rant gift cards provided by Eddie Yaun from Stringfellow, Inc.,
were raffled off to attendees who brought in canned food items in
As the presentation and luncheon concluded, members and support of the canned food drive.
guests were able to enjoy a round of golf at one of Nashville’s
top rated courses. The Middle Branch would like to thank Steve Meeting attendees brought in over 60 canned food items to the
Moore and Alan Clayton with Fastenal, Chris Carpenter with meeting that were donated to the Mid-South Food Bank in an
Stanley Black & Decker, and the entire team at DeWalt for effort to support the local community and provide relief for those
sponsoring this luncheon and for their instructive presenta- less fortunate.
tion on silica dust. We would also like to thank Force America,
Stringfellow Inc., DeWalt, Fastenal and TPW Magazine, for The Mid-South Food Bank is a local charity whose mission is to
sponsoring the door prizes for this event, and for their support change lives by eliminating hunger in the Mid-South. By providing
of TCAPWA. food for families, children and seniors, the Mid-South Food bank
impacts lives by solving one of the biggest struggles they face, get-
ting enough nutritious food to eat to live a healthy life.
ENGINEERING • PLANNING
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION
OPERATIONS SERVICES
RATE STUDIES
Providing Professional Engineering Services
For Your Water, Wastewater, Storm Drainage,
And Environmental Projects
2 International Plaza • Suite 401 • Nashville, TN 37217
615/366-6088 • 615/366-6203 (FAX)
26 TPW September/October 2017
