Two weeks ago, you were informed of action taken by the Iowa House of Representatives that incorporated a reduction in the statute of repose into one of the remaining appropriation bills (Senate File 510).  This effort put MBI's top legislative priority back in the proverbial ball game for the 2015 session.

CLICK HERE to create an instant contact to your senator.

For additional information about the Call to Action, CLICK HERE.

 Employees of MBI member firms are encouraged to participate in the Master Builder Designation program. This achievement program is designed to promote lifelong learning in an ever-changing industry, while recognizing those individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to continuous professional development.  

 

Individuals interested in being recognized as a Master Builder are asked to submit an application to begin their quest of completing 150 hours of education and training through MBI in the following areas:

• Leadership - a minimum of 50 hours of training
• Project Management - a minimum of 50 hours of training
• Ecological Construction - a minimum of 20 hours of training
• Safety - a minimum of 15 hours of training
• Ethics - a minimum of 5 hours of training
• Electives - a minimum of 10 hours of training from any of the above areas

The upcoming 2015-16 training season will provide ample opportunities to earn Master Builder Designation hours, including MB EYE on the Future, The Leadership Experience, Cornerstone Academy, Project Manager / Supervisor Leadership Series, the Annual Winter Conference, and many more.

 

To learn more about the program, please view the complete Master Builder Designation brochure. To move forward with the enrollment process, please complete the application and return to Tom Fulcher at tfulcher@mbionline.com or by fax to 515.288.2617.  Upon receipt of your application, MBI staff will review your training records back to 2012 and document the appropriate Master Builder Designation credit.

 

To see who is enrolled in the program, CLICK HERE.  

 On May 1, 2015, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces. This new rule will go into effect on August 3, 2015. Manholes, crawl spaces, tanks and other confined spaces are not intended for continuous occupancy. They are also difficult to exit in an emergency. People working in confined spaces face life-threatening hazards including toxic substances, electrocutions, explosions and asphyxiation. "This rule will save lives of construction workers," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels.

 

The Confined Spaces in Construction web page by OSHA contains information on the new regulation, compliance assistance documents, and other resources OSHA has to help employers and workers understand the rule. OSHA will continue to publish new guidance products in the coming months, and will post them here. Please check the website often for updates.  

Workers' compensation insurance is required by law of all Iowa employers. It's one of the most expensive types of insurance a contractor has to have. The only way an employer can avoid the increased premiums is to reduce or eliminate the number of claims and to get competitive bids at renewal time.

 

This is where members of MBI have an advantage. In 2011, the MBI Board of Directors partnered with Midwest Builders' Casualty Group (MWBC), which has been providing workers' compensation insurance to contractors for over 20 years. Its strength of operations comes from its support to its policyholders, stability of profitability (over $30 million of dividends distributed back to policyholders) and its high standards of loss prevention. Midwest Builders' Casualty Group only sells to contractors and workers' compensation is the only type of insurance they sell, so their knowledge of the construction industry is extensive.

 

About 45 days before your next insurance renewal, contact MWBC through your local agent to get a quote. They will do a thorough review of your operations so they can offer a price that is tailored to you.  

 

You can contact Tom Suckow at MBI 515-657-4384 or tsuckow@mbionline.com or call Midwest Builders' Casualty directly at 816-474-7799 for more information.