Contractors: Get your subcontractor insurance house in order!

Jonathan BelekConstruction, Risk Management, Workers Compensation

It’s a tough landscape for the building trades in Connecticut. Jobs are out there, but bidding is competitive and margins are tight. We’re nearly 10 years past its beginning, but we’re still not fully recovered from the Great Recession that wiped out trillions of dollars in real estate equity. Given that reality, it doesn’t surprise me when a construction firm … Read More

8 Steps to Vet Construction Subcontractors

Jonathan BelekBusiness Insurance, Construction, Risk Management

As a general contractor, it’s likely that you’ll use subcontractors at some point. Subcontractors can be an efficient way to outsource work. As specialists, they’ll often do a better job than a generalist and their smaller size means they can work quicker and leaner. However, the construction job is your responsibility. The performance of the subcontractor will reflect on you. … Read More

Construction P&C Pro-File Newsletter – February 2017

Jonathan BelekConstruction, Risk Management, Workers Compensation

New OSHA Beryllium Standards On Jan. 9, 2017, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule to amend its beryllium standards for the construction, shipyard and general industries. The final rule will reduce the eight-hour, permissible beryllium exposure limit from 2.0 micrograms per cubic meter to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter. It also establishes a short-term exposure … Read More

Reducing Your Risk and Exposure to Worker Compensation for the Sand and Gravel Industry

Joe PintoConstruction, Workers Compensation

When it comes to heavy industrial work and extraction services, the safety of your workers is paramount. It’s vital that you take every step possible to reduce the risk of injury or issues in the workplace, and limit your exposure to possible worker compensation claims for employees extracting sand, gravel, and similar materials. We’ll start by looking at the data … Read More

Understanding the changes in rules for Crane Operators

Joe PintoConstruction, Risk Management, Workers Compensation

Back in the year 2010 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) implemented a rule outlining new regulations for the certification of crane operators. The new regulations stemmed from a high rate of accidents and fatalities related to crane operation in the construction industry. Since the new OSHA standards were released much has transpired regarding some specifics of the rule … Read More

Managing Home Renovation Risks

Mary McGrathConstruction, Homeowners Insurance

Home renovations are on the rise; In fact, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), annual home improvement spending growth is expected to increase from 2.4% in the last quarter of 2015 to 6.8% in the second quarter of 2016.  Bolstered by 2015’s favorable housing market condition, which included new … Read More

Planning for Construction Risk

Jonathan BelekBusiness Insurance, Construction, Workers Compensation

The construction industry is flourishing, with outlooks like the Wells Fargo 2016 Construction Industry Forecast’s Optimism Quotient predicting that local construction, profits, equipment purchases and rentals and overall future growth will be strong this year.  Add to this that warmer weather means the busy construction season is here and it’s a great time to be in the industry, whether you’re an independent … Read More

Spring Hazards: Worker Safety During Warmer Weather

Jonathan BelekBusiness Insurance, Construction, Workers Compensation

Spring signifies the end of winter and a season of new beginnings.  It ushers in budding trees, blooming flowers and warmer temperatures.  It can also bring with it quickly changing conditions and hazards that employers and workers need to be aware of and prepare for to ensure safety.  While, overall, workplaces are safer today, many people are still seriously injured … Read More