Construction
June 26, 2023
Tips for Safe Operation of Corded Power Tools
Corded power tools are useful for several types sizes of projects. They also can be more accurate and efficient than hand tools. However, corded power tools can also present serious safety hazards when not used correctly. Below are tips to help keep you safe while working with them. Types of Corded Power Tools Corded power...
June 13, 2023
Construction Industry’s Rebound Brings More Opportunities, But Also More Risks
The construction industry is rebounding after significant challenges during the pandemic, but more opportunities also come with more risks, an insurer has warned. Selective Insurance, a commercial business insurance carrier specializing in construction firms, has forecasted that more single-trade contractors will expand their business into multiple trades or general contracting to cope with growing demand...
May 24, 2023
How Mindfulness Keeps Construction Workers Safer
It’s easy to understand why construction workers have stressful jobs. They’re working on tight timelines, often on projects that need to be structurally sound so that people can live and work in their buildings. This responsibility can be taxing on workers’ mental health. A 2020 study found that 83% of construction workers had experienced a moderate to...
May 17, 2023
Inflation, Labor Challenges Are the Biggest Risks Facing Construction Sector
Inflation’s impact on materials and labor challenges continue to be the biggest operational risks facing the construction sector, according to Selective Insurance’s General Contractor Risk report. “Construction is an inherently high-risk industry given its exposure to and reliance on macroeconomic factors, such as commodity pricing, supply chain, labor dynamics, and housing demand,” Jim Albi, assistant vice president,...
April 26, 2023
How to Handle Construction Equipment Spending in 2023
Business owners need to be careful with their spending and managing their balance sheets during 2023, to avoid the pitfalls of inflation and overspending. It is still a bit nuts out there. The economic and construction ball just keeps going up and down, up and down. What all this tells me, from a financial perspective...
April 19, 2023
Trenching and Excavation Safety
It is essential to implement safety measures during trenching and excavation work to help prevent serious injuries and deaths. Especially considering the recent rise in fatalities and penalties involving this type of work, construction employers need to ensure they utilize proper risk management techniques. OSHA Penalties OSHA recently announced new enforcement guidance to deter employers...
April 3, 2023
Growing Construction Costs Driving Commercial Property Coverage Gap
Growing costs for construction materials and labor could be driving commercial properties to be undervalued by as much as 30% for underwriting purposes, according to Tüv Süd Global Risk Consultants Corp. A disconnect between reported values and actual values can result in a coverage gap for a commercial policyholder. From November 2021-November 2022, the cost of...
March 21, 2023
Insuring the Climate Transition: How Can the Construction Industry Confront Escalating Storm Damage?
Like every industry, construction isn’t immune to the effects of global climate change. Adverse weather affects 45% of construction projects globally, a 2021 report from the Air Force Institute of Technology found, and results in billions of dollars of additional expenses and lost revenue. Project delays, damaged materials and supply chain shortages are just some of...
March 14, 2023
Cal/OSHA Proposes Revisions to Workplace Lead Exposures Standards
On March 3, 2023, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA Board) proposed to revise the standards for workplace exposure to lead for the general industry and construction industries. With the revisions, Cal/OSHA cited a need to adequately protect employees who are exposed to lead in their occupations. This proposal would reduce the...
March 8, 2023
Construction Industry Trends to Watch
The construction industry consists of companies that construct, maintain and repair buildings and other structures (e.g., roads, bridges and utility systems). This sector plays a vital role in the U.S. economy by keeping residential areas, commercial facilities and local infrastructure in good condition, thus supporting the safety and welfare of communities across the nation. In...