Rental Centers should consider "updating" their Rental Agreements (perhaps, by use of a signed addendum!) in order to provide for the OSHA Silica Dust and OSHA use of Powered Forklifts standards. OSHA enforcement (Federal, the State of California began enforcement several years ago) will commence on September 23, 2017, as to their Silica Dust Standards (e.g., silica dust is emitted during drilling, chipping, cutting, etc., of concrete, stone, clay, etc.). The standards require containment, respiratory protection, remediation, etc., for employees and indeed for third parties. So, how do the Silica Dust Standards apply to rental centers that merely rent their equipment to third parties that may or may not have employees? Well, besides the duty to warn and properly instruct, we recommend that the Rental Agreement utilized by rental centers be modified to advise/warn specifically of the OSHA requirements.

Rental Centers are reminded of the requirement to have an Electronic Login Device ("ELD") in their commercial motor vehicles ("CMV") by December 18, 2017, unless:

1. The CMV operates within a 100 mile radius of the rental center and returns to the rental center at the end of each day; 
2. If CMV operates outside of the 100 mile radius exemption, it is operated less than 8 times during a 30 day period and written logs are kept; or 
3. The CMV was manufactured prior to the year 2000. 
Essentially, ELD’s replace written logs and reflect driver’s hours, hours of service, duty status, etc. For further information, please see regulation 49CFR395.1(e). 

When it comes to workplace safety, ignorance is no defense. OSHA safety and health regulations often apply to all businesses, regardless of size. If you’re not sure which regulations apply to your business, OSHA provides some resources. It has created a Web-based step-by-step guide to help small employers identify some of the regulations that might apply to them.

As a Supporting Organization for ICUEE 2017, we would like to extend the invitation to join us at the show in Louisville, KY, October 3-5! The International Construction and Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE), also known as The Demo Expo, is the premier event for utility industry professionals to gain comprehensive insight into the latest technologies, innovations, insights, and trends affecting their industry.

Mahaffey Fabric Structures, the leading provider of temporary turnkey structures and shelter solutions in the United States, recently announced the acquisition of more than $24.2 million in assets from Classic Party Rentals, including tents, structure frame, fabric pieces, and specialty structures. While the Mahaffey team is looking forward to amplifying its special event coverage, the company is also open to selling surplus inventory. These options can equip a business with an extended product line for the short- or long-term. To inquire about purchasing, please contact George Smith or Trip Gintz at inventory@mahaffeyusa.com.

As most of you know, Atlas Copco sold the Dynapac company to the Fayat Group. Wirant Sales is happy to announce that we are the new reps for Dynapac in California. Dynapac is in the process of selling off the multi-branded rollers they still have in stock. Going forward, all rollers offered will be the Dynapac Red and Yellow rollers. Click on "Learn More" to see the blowout sales list of rollers that Dynapac is trying to move out of inventory. If you have an interest, please contact Steven Soares, Wirant Sales, 209-483-4757.

Thank you to the 2017 CRA Annual Golf Tournament Sponsors. Click here to see the complete list. A special thank you to our Major Golf Tournament sponsors Sonsray Machinery at the Plantinum level and JLG Industries at the Gold level.

CRA’s 2018 Equipment and Party Rental Rally Tradeshow will be held at the South Point Casino Hotel & Convention Center, featuring 80,000 sq. feet of exhibit space, allowing for 353 10’ x 10’ booths. The South Point is a great venue choice with the convenience of having the convention center and hotel on the same property! The complete list of exhibitors to date is available on the Rental Rally website. 

American Pneumatic Tools (APT) is a leading provider of outstanding tools for the construction and industrial markets. APT’s product line now offers a complete range of pneumatic tools, hydraulic tools, light compaction equipment, concrete finishing products, and portable power. Superior performance, excellent product reliability, competitive pricing, ergonomic designs, and a great warranty are what make American Pneumatic Tools an industry leader.

Bomag offers compaction equipment, from rollers to recyclers, milling machines, plates and tampers or a giant 120,000-pound refuse compactor.

Leading manufacturer & dealer of service trucks to the equipment rental industry including water trucks, dump trucks, crash attenuator trucks, mechanic trucks, flatbed trucks, fuel/lube trucks, enclosed lube trucks and lube skids.

Dieci offers Telehandlers, Telescope Articulated Telehandlers and has been manufacturing best-in-class construction and agricultural equipment since 1963 and has been producing telescopic forklifts for over 31 years. Dieci machines are manufactured with extremely heavy duty boom sections and main frames, and are designed to handle the abuse associated with continuous, duty-cycle bucket use where others fail.

Equipment Parts Plus offers After-Market Equipment Spare Parts and stocks hundreds of parts for most leading brands-- including hard to find parts. Contact their parts experts for pricing and availability.

First Capitol Auction, Inc. provides Auction Services, conducting public auctions of Late Model Construction Equipment, Government Fleet Vehicles, Asset Seizures, Utility & Power Equipment, Government Fleet Vehicles and Special Use Equipment, Rental & Aerial Equipment. They also provide Equipment Appraisals.

At InTempo, we provide rental management software solutions for local and regional independent rental operators across equipment, tool, event and specialty markets. We bring together a crucial mix of technology, knowledge and community to help you manage and grow your business.

Kawasaki has had a presence in the United States for over 50 years with quality products and with over 1,100 authorized dealership networks ready to assist.

In your community and communities around the world, ReachLocal is your digital marketing partner, helping local businesses grow and operate better, with leading technology and expert service for client lead generation and conversion.

RRP offers Tableware–Dinnerware, Glassware, and Metalware. Innovations such as factory-direct service and global manufacturing enable RRP to offer quality products for the best possible prices.

Ted Johnson Propane provides propane services to commercial and residential customers with an emphasis on safety and reliability. Along with their products, they offer industry leading education, customer service and integrity in their business practices.

OSP Event Furniture offers folding tables and chairs. Incorporated in 1987, Office Star Products has become a leader in commercial office and residential furniture. Known for value, Office Star Products markets under 9 brands and operates 5 warehouses within the United States and Canada.

The California Chamber of Commerce's Alert newsletter recently reported that California’s housing crisis is a big focus at the State Capitol, as studies highlight two elements of the crisis that are inextricably linked—supply and affordability. The Department of Housing and Community Development estimates that California must build at least 180,000 units a year to keep pace with demand, not accounting for the backlog of approximately 2 million units that have accrued over the last several decades. The supply shortage has sent home prices and rent prices soaring, resulting in many individuals and families being priced out of the market and leading to overcrowding, homelessness, substandard housing conditions, and an exodus of Californians to other states.

A California Chamber of Commerce-opposed a bill that allows organizations unaffiliated with the employer to access an undefined and potentially unlimited scope of employer internal documents. This bill awaits action by the state Senate when legislators return from their summer break. AB 978 (Limón; D-Goleta) also circumvents the rulemaking process now underway to provide employees access to their employer’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). In response to a public request, the California Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board is moving to establish in regulation a process for employees to gain access to their employer’s IIPP. The CalChamber-led coalition opposing AB 978 proposes the bill be amended to reflect in statute the regulatory action ordered by the Board to begin the rule making process. The scope of the new rule is to identify the appropriate methods and representatives to obtain a copy of an employer’s IIPP.

Tom Scott, CA Executive Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), reported that the NFIB monthly Index of Small Business Optimism, released August 8, rose 1.6 percent in July to 105.2, a strong performance led by significant gains in hiring activity. Strong consumer demand is boosting small business optimism at the federal level. Small business owners are feeling better about the economy because their customers are feeling better about the economy. This is a good trend at the national level that we hope translates to the state level here in California.

Gasoline production by U.S. refiners and blenders is running near record levels over the first seven months of 2017, with four-week rolling average production well above its five-year average and close to the top of its five-year range. Despite growing domestic and foreign demand leading to draws from gasoline stocks over the past seven consecutive weeks, gasoline inventories also continue to remain above their five-year average levels. Growth in the U.S. gasoline production since March is the result of record-high refinery runs. For the week ending April 21, U.S. refinery runs exceeded 17.5 million barrels per day (b/d) for the first time since EIA began publishing the weekly data series in 1990. Refinery runs have since exceeded this threshold six additional times, reaching an all-time high of 17.8 million b/d the week ending on July 28.

Please review the communication below from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for your reference:
Re: Genie Industries Safety Notice 170012
"We would like to make you aware of a safety recall issued by Genie Industries for certain aerial lifts that OSHA recently learned about. Genie Industries has found that weld debris in the boom tubes could lead to premature and excessive wear of the upper wear pads. This excessive wear can lead to potential damage to the boom tubes and could cause the platform to drop. Please share this with your members and other stakeholders."
Eric Z. Lahaie, Deputy Director, OSHA

This month we are interested in tire purchasing. Here are the responses to the August survey.