News

Safety & Training Short: Confined Spaces - Permit Required Confined Spaces

Protect yourself in and around confined spaces. A confined space is a working area with limited openings for entry or exit, large enough for entering and working, and not designated for continuous occupancy.  Examples of confined spaces include tanks, storage bins, underground vaults, pits, manholes, silos, and pipelines.Permits are required to enter confined spaces that:May contain a hazardous or potentially hazardous atmosphereContain materials which can engulf an entrantContain walls that converge

Don't Be Litigious; Give Notice

Don't Be Litigious; Give Notice Stakeholders in complex construction projects tend to use words and phrases like “partnering,” “proactive,” “flexibility,” “no punch list,” “early completion,” and “under budget” early in the project. Then comes the inevitable roadblock threatening to squash the optimism. Fearing that the relationship will sour, contractors often elect not to follow the formal notice requirements in the contract and try to work around the problem or talk through the issue with the owner.

Safety & Training Short: Ladder Safety - Selection and Maintenance

Ladders must be selected based on hazards and tasks. Also, ladders require maintenance in order to function properly. Each ladder type requires different inspection criteria and maintenance. If a ladder is neglected, it may become unsafe to use. For this reason, it is extremely important that ladders are inspected prior to each use and repaired periodically. Types of ladders: Length:Stepladder users must be able to reach about four feet from the top of the ladder while standing on the second step from

Safety & Training Short: Machine Safeguarding - Interlocking Guards

Objective: To assure workers understand the types and safe use of interlocking guards Interlocking guards, also called interlocks, use a tripping mechanism to shut off the machine when a guard or cover is open or removed. They protect workers and coworkers from reaching into moving machinery.Types of Interlocking Guards Interlocking guards with: Proximity switches use a magnetic field to control machine movement. - The disadvantage to this type of guard is that any type of metal placed in close

Legislature Caps Retention Amount at 5% for Many Private Works Projects!

In one of the most significant legislative moves in favor of construction contractors in decades, the Governor signed SB 61 into law on July 14, 2025. For new contracts after January 1, 2026, and with limited exceptions, the new law reduces the amount by which contractors may be forced to help finance private works construction by limiting to 5% the amount that owners, contractors, and subcontractors may withhold from progress payments to subcontractors until the end of the project. Read more. Daniel F.

Safety & Training Short: Cement-Related Skin Irritation Hazards

Objective: To reinforce awareness of the potential skin irritation risks from working with cement.  Cement-Related Skin Irritation Hazards Cement is a major cause of skin irritation. Its lime content (primarily calcium hydroxide) and heat-producing properties when water is added cause skin irritation on contact.   Cement contact with dry skin is likely to crack the skin and may lead to ulcers, reddening, and irritation, collectively referred to as dermatitis. Additionally, frequent contact with cement

Safety & Training Short: Hazard Communication Awareness 2.0

WHAT IS HAZARD COMMUNICATION? The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication standard, also referred to as “HAZCOM,” ensures employees have access to vital safety information about chemicals used in the workplace. It provides employees with the information they have the “right to know” while working with hazardous chemicals.HAZARD COMMUNICATION PROGRAM Your workplace has a hazard communication program available. This program is federally required in all facilities

DB and IPD Contracts: Who is responsible for the design when unforeseen conditions arise and why does it matter?

Published June 19, 2025 Morgan C. Eddy Associate There has been a rise recently in the construction industry in Design-Build (DB) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contracts. These newer models aim to improve project efficiency, foster collaboration, and reduce costs. With this recent rise, we are seeing an increase in design liability conflicts. Traditionally, construction projects often followed a Design-Bid-Build model (DBB), where the design responsibilities and construction responsibilities were

Marin Builders Association Members: Save on your Workers' Comp!