Monthly Archives: October 2013

OSHA Extends Public Comment Period on Crystalline Silica

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in OSHA Safety Issues on Oct 31, 2013.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced this week that is was extending the public comment period for its new regulations on the use of crystalline silica in construction until January 27, 2014. The extension is seen as a concession to business and industry organizations, a large number of which asked for additional time to analyze the proposed rules and provide educated opinions on it. Certain Congressional Committees also asked for the extension.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Why the 2014 “Lead-Free” Requirements May Cost You

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Plumbing on Oct 30, 2013.

The Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (amending the allowable levels of lead pursuant to the Safe Drinking Water Act) signed into law nearly three years ago and effective January 4, 2014 imposes a “lead-free” mandate across the United States. The Act makes it illegal to sell or install pipes, fittings, valves, and fixtures in applications providing water for human consumption which exceeds the 0.25% weighted average limit for wetted surfaces, as opposed to the 8% weighted average previously permissible. Wetted parts are essentially any product that conveys water anticipated for human consumption including, for example, meters, expansion tanks, backflow preventers, flexible connectors, strainers, and assorted gauges, fittings, and valves.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

U.S. Supreme Court Considering Construction Contract Case

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Contract Clauses on Oct 29, 2013.

It is admittedly rare for the United States Supreme Court to consider a case that implicates construction contracts directly. The Court, in its new term, has just heard oral argument on a construction contract issue that could have a far reaching impact on the construction industry though.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Army Corps of Engineers to Require Standard Data Files by 2015

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Construction Industry News on Oct 27, 2013.

A new rule implemented by the Army Corps of Engineers will require all contracts for design-build and construction contracts for military projects to include construction operations-building information exchange files for asset data, or COBie format, by 2015.

Tags: , , ,

U.S. Commerce Department Announces on October 22 that Construction Spending in U.S. Climbed in July to a Four-Year High

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Construction Industry News on Oct 23, 2013.

The United States Commerce Department announced on October 22 that U.S. construction spending increased in July to the highest level in four years, largely based on gains in residential real estate construction.Construction spending climbed 0.6 percent compared to a median forecast of 51 economists surveyed by Bloomberg, which had called for a 0.4 percent increase.

Tags: , , , , ,

Stopping The PDF Madness In Construction

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Technology on Oct 22, 2013.

Engineering News Review recently published an interesting article in its technology section on the management of electronic documents. The report noted a movement of general contractors that the companies themselves have labeled “All PDFs Created Equal”.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Delaware Enacts Workers’ Compensation Reform

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Oct 21, 2013.

Construction companies and owners in Delaware have complained about the soaring costs associated with workers’ compensation policies and claims for years. New legislation has given them some sought after relief.

Tags: , , , , ,

Kaplin Stewart Construction Law Department Launches Twitter Feed

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Kaplin Stewart News on Oct 21, 2013.

In its effort to continuously offer value added services to its clients, Kaplin Stewart’s construction law department has launched its own twitter feed. Found under the handle KAPLAWBuilds,

Tags: , , , , ,

UPDATE: The U.S. Supreme Court Takes Certification On EPA Regulations

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Current Events in Construction on Oct 18, 2013.

On October 13th, we reported that new Environmental Protection Agency regulations regarding carbon emissions might have an impact on Pennsylvania’s construction economy. At the time, we reported that those regulations, which are based on a finding by the EPA that carbon emissions are harmful “greenhouse gases”, were subject to a legal challenge. That legal challenge has now been taken up by a number of groups interested in the issue.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Research Shows Construction Workers Have Trouble Identifying Safety Hazards

On behalf of Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C. posted in Construction Safety on Oct 15, 2013.

Safety is job one for most construction companies, as employees that go home each night come back the next day for work. Great emphasis is often placed on safety protocols and how to address work site hazards. A new study done by the Construction Industry Institute raises an important question though: are workers as prepared as they should be to identify job site risks?

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

  • Best Lawyers | Best Law Firms | U.S.News | 2015
  • Philadelphia Ranking Tier 1 - Land Use & Zoning Litigation
  • msi Global Alliance | Member of Independent Legal & Accounting Firms
  • Business Journals Law Firms | Top 50 | 2012