TOMCAT’s 2009 Workshops
In February 2009, a team of world-class instructors and about 70 participants from all over the United States and Canada traveled to Midland, Texas to attend TOMCAT’s Hoist and Truss workshop and Rigging and Truss workshop. The Hoist and Truss workshop featured the disassembly and reassembly of a one ton Lodestar as well as a Prostar with Dave Carmack of Columbus McKinnon. Dave Sowa of TOMCAT USA led a discussion on control systems and also coached an advanced troubleshooting session along with CM’s Dave Carmack. Instruction was rounded out by Dana Bartholomew of Fisher Technical Services, Inc. who gave instruction and demonstrations on automation.
G. Anthony Phillips, of RigRider Rigging Services and ETCP certified rigger and instructor taught safe rigging practices and principles while Morgan Neff of Mine Safety Appliances gave instruction on fall protection practices and equipment. Participants also had a full day on a custom TOMCAT ground support system with these two instructors for some hands-on instruction and demonstrations.
Both workshops included a full day of truss instruction with TOMCAT USA’s Will Todd. The class included beginning and advanced concepts in truss usage, including: grid design, applying loads, ground support system considerations, structural design concepts, inspection techniques. The instruction culminated with one of the most popular features of the workshop: live destruction of truss.
In addition to four days of highly informative classes, the students were treated to dinner each night – concluding with the ever-popular “factory night” at TOMCAT USA featuring tours, demonstrations and a graduation ceremony.
Frank Cortez, stage/rigging supervisor with the Long Center in Austin, Texas had high praise for the courses and their content noting, “I know that I will use the information I’ve gained during the week to better my facility and my craft.”
If you missed the 2009 February workshops, TOMCAT will soon make an announcement regarding dates for 2010.
For additional information please contact Lisa Jebsen at (432) 681-6725 or via email at lisa.jebsen@tomcatusa.com.
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