The AGC Safety Management Training Course (SMTC) provides attendees three days of training on the basic skills needed to manage a company safety program in the construction industry. Held just a few times per year at select locations around the country, the SMTC program builds on Focus Four training and prepares attendees to manage key safety issues on the jobsite and provides techniques for delivering basic safety training to field personnel. Participants will receive intensive instruction and training that will allow them to return to their firms with readily applicable new skills to positively impact their company’s safety and health program. Click here for more information.

2018 National Safety Stand Down to Prevent Falls
May 7-11, 2018
OSHA has announced the dates for this year's Safety Stand Down. This is a voluntary event that encourages employers to have a conversation with their workers about fall hazards and prevention. The week-long event is sponsored by OSHA, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and CPWR (The Center for Construction Research and Training).

Jeff Slivka, president of New Day Underwriting Managers LLC, a Contractors Association of Eastern Pennsylvania member, recently explored the ripple effects of OSHA’s new silica standard on the legal, insurance, and construction environments at the 2018 Conference on Surety Bonding & Construction Risk Management. Hosted by AGC of America in Naples, Florida, Slivka was joined by Paul Messenger of American Global of Texas; Phil Beck of Smith, Currie & Hancock; Kevin Barry of XL Catlin; and Michael Baker of American Global of Pennsylvania on the panel titled "Getting Beyond OSHA."

Implemented to eliminate the loss of life and illnesses caused by silica-related diseases, panelists highlighted the potential liability and legal ramifications associated with the handling of respirable crystalline silica in construction applications. Discussed were the steps necessary to protect workers and the environment, while outlining noncompliance penalties. These can range from OSHA fines to personal injury litigation.

According to  industry experts, the documentation process should always begin with detailed recordkeeping demonstrating compliance and employee exposure assessments. Other considerations involve careful evaluations of existing insurance policy forms, which may contain silica and dust exclusions, as well as the development of written risk management procedures entailing proper indemnity provisions and the verification of subcontractors having appropriate insurance, specifically Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL). 

"Because of these new guidelines, risk management continues to be integral for protecting contractors and project owners from unforeseen exposures and liability," says Slivka. "This includes CPL policies, which are increasingly becoming the go-to product for protecting against silica-related liability issues, not to mention numerous other pollution related risks."

"CPL coverage forms have never been broader in terms of the pollutants and/or pollution conditions they protect against. In addition, they’ve recently been expanded to provide coverage for conditions ranging from microbial matter and pathological waste to legionella, silica and other naturally occurring environmental hazards. Further benefits surround the ability to purchase policies on a "blanket" or "project" basis to cover cleanup and emerging environmental response costs and civil penalties." 

For more information on CPL policies and "Getting Beyond OSHA," please contact New Day Underwriting Managers at 609-298-3516.