Despite advances in safety technology and practice, construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. Every job site contains hundreds of potential hazards, in a landscape that changes on a daily basis. Annually, almost a thousand people die due to construction accidents, representing 20.7% of total private industry fatalities. Tens of…
Annually, around 5,000 workers die and millions are injured on the job. Many of these deaths and injuries are preventable, caused by Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) violations. In September, OSHA revealed preliminary data about the top ten violations they’ve cited in 2019. The list is largely unchanged from 2018, with two violations trading…
Choosing an asbestos consultant for your renovation or demolition project, or to respond to potential asbestos contamination, could be as simple as a quick Google search. But we don’t recommend it. There are risks associated with hiring an asbestos consultant, and it’s important to do a little due diligence before making the decision. What is…
Medical marijuana has been in the news for a long time, for many different reasons. On the one hand, proponents of legalization tout the many benefits for people sick with everything from cancer to rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, opponents of its legalization cite concerns about its use as a gateway drug, as well…
Nobody loves having to file a claim for property damage, but at least your insurance will cover it, right? Well… maybe. As some property owners recovering from hurricanes in Texas and Florida are learning, just because you’re covered doesn’t mean you’re covered. Depending on your policy, some forms of damage may not be eligible for…
For commercial property owners, purchasers, and developers, environmental compliance services are a critical component of due diligence and risk mitigation. Environmental compliance services can protect from liability associated with land contamination, unexpected costs associated with environmental clean-up, and unfavorable purchases of previously contaminated property. Environmental compliance services also are critical in preventing unnecessary government fines…
Commercial construction is a complex and risky business. Lenders operating in this space must weigh the value of the completed property against the value of the loan, just as they do in traditional commercial real estate lending. But they also have to weigh an enormous number of additional factors, such as: The reputation and reliability…
If you’re planning renovation or demolition on a building that requires asbestos abatement, you have some decisions to make before you begin. How do you know if you need asbestos abatement? Click here In most cases, you’ll need a qualified firm to develop an abatement plan with detailed specifications for performing the work in a…
It sounds like something out of a horror movie. An invisible darkness lurks in the air. Every time you take a breath, its essence enters your body and stays there. Slowly, silently, it digs itself deeper, lodging itself with microscopic hooks into the tissue of your lungs. Every time you breathe, its hold over you…
In an ideal world, every new construction project would take place on a plot of perfectly clean and prepared land that is well suited exactly for the purpose. In reality, most projects, especially those in urban areas, are sited on property that has a history, and not always a clean one. Often, that history means…
