April 21, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HAAG ENGINEERING’S JIM WIETHORN, P.E., HONORED AS ONE OF
ENGINEERING NEWS-RECORD’S TOP 25 NEWSMAKERS OF 2014
SUGAR LAND, TX— Haag Engineering’s Jim Wiethorn was
honored to be named one of Engineering News-Record’s
Top 25 Newsmakers of 2014.
Engineering News-Record, McGraw Hill Construction's
industry-leading information source, presented its
50th annual Award of Excellence Gala on April 16, 2015 at
the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York City. The
black-tie awards gala honored Mr. Wiethorn as one of
ENR's Top 25 Newsmakers for his innovations and
achievements, for giving back to the construction industry
and the public, and for going beyond his day-to-day job.
Mr. Wiethorn was selected as a top newsmaker and
industry leader for publishing an unprecedented analysis of
more than 500 crane accidents over a 30-year period—
Honoree Jim Wiethorn and wife MaJane Wiethorn at the 50th
“Crane Accidents: A Study of Causes and Trends To Create a
Annual Engineering News-Record Award of Excellence Gala.
Safer Work Environment, 1983-2013”—the culmination of
Jim’s 35 years of forensic analysis of crane and lifting accidents.
“Jim Wiethorn has investigated hundreds of crane accidents and generated a mountain of data on what
causes lifting machines to fail. Instead of hoarding that information, he is providing it to the industry to
help jobsites become safer,” said Tudor Van Hampton, Engineering News-Record.
Mr. Wiethorn’s “Crane Accidents: Causes and Trends” provides valuable data and analysis for crane
owners, users, manufacturers, and standards committees. The study not only examines crane accidents
by type and trend, but also analyzes accidents by industry segment (commercial construction,
industrial/manufacturing, highway/road & bridge, oil field-offshore, etc.). Mr. Wiethorn evaluates the
current state of crane lift training, and its effects in the industry (ASME B30 standards). Importantly,
Crane Accidents identifies problematic areas to reduce future risks and prevent catastrophic events.
“I am truly honored to be selected as a Top Newsmaker by Engineering News-Record,” said Wiethorn,
who has examined over 800 crane accidents during his career. “My goal in publishing this study was to
ultimately create a safer work environment. So many crane accidents and lift failures I’ve analyzed
resulted due to improper training and planning, or disregard for safety zones. I want everyone at the lift
site to safely return to their families after a long day of work. The alternative is not an option.”
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Jim D. Wiethorn, P.E., Haag Chairman and Principal Engineer, is the head of Haag’s Crane Group
based in Sugar Land, TX. Haag’s crane group investigates all aspects of the crane and rigging related
accidents. Jim Wiethorn is a third-generation general contractor and has owned, operated, and used
cranes throughout his professional career. In order to better understand and become more involved
in the crane industry, Jim became a member of the National Commission for the Certification of
Crane Operators (NCCCO) on the Tower Crane Committee and Rigging Task Force Committee. Jim
also serves as a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) B30 Main
Committee, Safety Standard for Cableways, Cranes, Derricks, Hoists, Hooks, Jacks and Slings, as well
as the ASME B30.3-Tower Cranes and ASME B30.29-Self-Erect Tower Cranes sub-committees. Jim has testified in
over 200 depositions and 100 trials during his career.
About Haag
Haag Engineering Co. began in 1924 as a failure and damage consulting firm. Today, Haag is an employee-owned,
multi-faceted forensic engineering and consulting company. Our growth results directly from our long-standing
commitment to quality while expanding our technical knowledge and services. Haag Engineering performs forensic
engineering throughout the world in the fields of civil, structural, architectural, electrical, and mechanical
engineering. Haag Research/Testing operates a state-of-the-art laboratory which specializes in material and
product testing. Haag Education presents our expert engineers’ scientifically-based approach to damage
assessment in our publications and tools, and live and online seminars. Haag Construction Consulting assists our
clients with onsite damage assessments, litigation support, clerk of the works, and restoration consulting following
a loss. Haag 3-D Solutions provides 3D imaging and BIM technologies to deliver highly accurate, reliable as-built
documentation for all types of design and construction projects. Please visit www.HaagGlobal.com for more
information.
Please direct media inquiries to:
Polly Prado, Communications Director
214.614.6500 or [email protected]
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