Philadelphia Construction Law Blog

At Kaplin Stewart, we strive every day to add value to the businesses of our clients and potential clients.  We are thrilled to announce the start of another one of these efforts – our construction surety law blog!  The surety industry is one which we represent regularly; and we believe that it is a niche with specific issues that merit a special comment from time to time.  So we hope you will read the blog and join the conversation.

Beginning April 11, 2016, the Philadelphia Department of Licenses & Inspections (L&I) will be strictly enforcing the Working Training Requirements under Philadelphia Code provisions A-1001.3 through A-1001.5. The Working Training Requirements are summarized as follows:

  Wishing you all the luck of the Irish!

While it’s not a change in the law, a recent holding by the Pennsylvania Superior Court provides a friendly reminder to suppliers in the construction industry. When goods are being sold, the UCC applies; and, importantly, terms and conditions in prior offers not included in the accepted offer are not part of the agreement.

Did you know that the John Hancock Life Insurance Company has 2 full time spotters for its office building in Boston, Massachusetts? These two employees do nothing but watch the building to warn people of falling windows.

A recent Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court opinion indicated a possible change in how the Court’s view certain construction related claims under the Public School Code in Pennsylvania. In F. Zacherl, Inc. v. Flaherty Mechanical Contractors, LLC, the Court ruled that an agreement with a completion contractor to finish the original prime contractor’s scope of work did not require separate approval from the School Board.

Realen Properties is partnering with New Orleans developer HRI Properties, a company that specializes in renovating historic structures, to convert the Liberty Title & Trust building at 101 N. Broad St. into a hotel. Realen presented plans on Wednesday to the Philadelphia Art Commission for a 179 room hotel under Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Aloft flag at the 21-story 1920s building. The building will have direct access to the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Completion is expected in spring of 2017.

OSHA’s record keeping requirements include multiple rules requiring that employers post safety related information for employees to see. Companies who have been through an OSHA citation process are aware that citations often are accompanied by a demand that the alleged violation be posted by the employer in one or more conspicuous places. There is another requirement often overlooked by construction companies.

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