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Construction Industry Updates from TIS for February 2017
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TIS Construction Newsletter
February 2017

Risk Management - A Blueprint for Risk Management in Construction

Photo Credit: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> via <a data-cke-saved-href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>A recent blog post published by Ryan Howsam at FMI Quarterly offers a blueprint or guide for risk management in construction.

"In today’s construction environment, managing risk is no longer just a defensive strategy. It’s not enough to just sit back and hope that a problem won’t happen, because it most likely will. The more sophisticated and formalized a company’s risk management processes are, the more opportunity a contractor has to profit from mitigating and managing the associated risks," says Ryan Howsam.

In this map of managing risks in construction, Howsam goes into depth describing the nine points that should go into every firm's risk management game plan. Read the full post to find out what nine points Howsam has deemed to be the key elements in every firm's plan of action.

Construction - The Impact of New Tools on Construction Productivity

In a recent Construction Executive articleKim Slowey takes a close look at the connection between construction efficiency, workers using outdated tools, and potentially debilitating injuries referred to as work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

According to Slowey, "As far back as 1999, OSHA made the connection between regular construction work and WMSDs. They tied repetitive movements of the wrists and other joints to tendonitis, tight grips on tools and materials to carpal tunnel syndrome, vibratory tools to Raynaud's Syndrome, and the prolonged carrying of (and working with) materials overhead, as well as hoisting heavy items with both arms straight down at one's side, to thoracic outlet syndrome. Construction workers’ hips, hands, wrists, neck, back, feet, ankles and shoulders are regularly under assault from day-to-day activities." 

Read the full post for Slowey's in-depth look at the connection between outdated tools on the job site and work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Risk - How Owners and Architects Differ on Risk Priorities

Photo Credit: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> via <a data-cke-saved-href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>In a recent ENR article, How Owners and Architects Differ on Risk Priorities, Richard Korman, offers insights into why owners and architects aren't working from the same set of priorities. Korman further tells how owners and architects see differently when handling risks. 

"Contractors are concerned with shifting contractual risk, workforce issues and defaults. Collaboration helps." Korman states. "And being able to handle risk effectively can be a competitive advantage."

What do owners and architects see differently? Knowing these two perspectives and assisting collaboration between the two can be the difference in your competitive advantage. Read the full article.

Surety - A Government Leader's
Guide to Bonds

Photo Credit: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> via <a data-cke-saved-href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>In a recent Governing institute eBook, A Government Leader's Guide to Bonds, gives insights how they use surety and fidelity bonds to protect taxpayers, empower businesses, and enable innovation. Here are a few questions that will be addressed in this document:

  • How are contract bonds priced?
  • What do I need to know about contract surety bonds?
  • How do contract surety bonds work?
  • What are the unique benefits of contract bonds? 
  • Why are bond forms important?
  • How can the assessment of risk be betteed for my company?
  • How can commercial surety bonds be a powerful tool for promoting public policy and mitigating taxpayer risk?
  • How do the government and business protect themselves from loss due to employee dishonesty and misconduct?  
How can you use surety and fidelity bonds to protect our taxpayers, empower your business, and enable innovation on your team today. Find out the answers to all these questions and more by reading the full eBook here.
Safety - New OSHA Recommendations for Site Safety and Health Programs

Photo Credit: <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/102723278@N08/9860648735/">MAKERHAUS</a> via <a data-cke-saved-href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> href="http://compfight.com">Compfight</a> <a data-cke-saved-href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a> href="https://www.flickr.com/help/general/#147">cc</a>In October, OSHA released a new document outlining Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs in Construction. The document provides guidance on establishing an effective safety and health program at your job site. As OSHA indicates, workers are one of the most valuable assets to any construction firm and losing workers to even short term injuries or illnesses, causes significant disruptions that can cost you time and money. 

OSHA's guidance on safety and health programs will help you foster a proactive, collaborative approach to job site hazards that will allow site management and workers to identify and solve issues before accidents occur. The practices outlined in the OSHA document reflect the current state of the construction industry and take into account changes including:

  • New construction techniques, materials, and equipment 
  • Greater workforce diversity, which may mean workers are speaking different languages
  • An aging workforce, which can be at higher risk for work-related injury
  • Greater numbers of temporary and contract employees


Read the full guidance and get started updating or establishing your safety and health programs today!

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Click Below to Contact a Construction Team Member

Surety Bonds
Chad Martin Contract Bond Agent
Jim Oakes |Contract Bond Agent

Insurance
R.L. "Bunny" Oakes, III | President, Construction Division
Stuart Oakes | Agent
John Fritts | Agent

Safety
Jason Pierce  | Loss Control

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