Issue 5 | Nov. 20, 2017
Permits Plus + A bi-monthly statistics and advocacy update for HBA of F-M members FOR YOUR CALENDAR: Nov. 28 - Lunch Session: Building Officials’ Roundtable Nov. 30 - Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo Nov. 30 - North Dakota Association of Builders’ Annual Meeting, Moorhead Dec. 19 - Ins and Outs of Scaffolding Training Jan. 23 - Lunch Session: Team Building by Jobs HQ Jan. 25 - Quickbooks Training Jan. 25 - New Year Celebration & City Night Jan. 30 - Education Summit Continuing Education for Minnesota Contractors Plumbers Power Limited Technicians Jan. 30 - Trade Showcase
Visit the calendar at hbafm.com for details or to register for events.
Published six times per year in addition to the Plains Builder, Permits Plus aims to provide a concise report on building permit numbers and a timely update on Association advocacy efforts.
Members Learn About Roadside Inspections
by Krista Mund, Executive Vice President HBA of F-M members haul stuff. It’s part of the job. It can become routine and workers sometimes become complacent. Make no mistake, pulling a trailer loaded with a skid steer, or that is full of tools, lumber or gravel, can be a hazardous undertaking. Minnesota State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Inspector Eric Sundby spoke to over 30 members in October, outlining how to comply with state law and what to expect from a roadside inspection. His main message, however, was safety and thinking about all of the lives traveling the roads each day. Mike Workman, Jordahl Custom Homes, attended the session and recommends it, “Sometimes we need to step back and see things from a different perspective to realize some of the simple steps we could be missing, like our drivers doing their own inspections.” Sundby and his counterpart in North Dakota will provide training to companies and organizations who request it. If you are interested in scheduling, contact him at (218) 396-0866 or eric.sundby@state.mn.us. Three main areas he covered are: 1. Load securement - Loads vary greatly in the homebuilding industry. It is important for workers to understand what they are securing, from worksite waste to building materials to forklifts. Know the types of accessories available to secure equipment, the specs of different equipment and proper points of attachment. 2. Driver inspections - The act of walking around a rig each morning and evening to inspect it can prevent many failures before they happen. Check the frame, tires, wheels, lugs, suspension system, etc. 3. Paperwork and what to expect - Educate drivers on the paperwork they need and any log requirements they may need to keep. Show them what a roadside inspector will look for on their vehicle: DOT number, driver licensing, documentation, etc. John Gunkelman, Dakota Construction of Fargo, Inc., attended the session and views it as a must for safety, “We may grumble, but being safe on the road affects so many people around us. It needs to be a priority and not just another hassle and hoop to jump through.” The following websites have resources for drivers and companies on inspections, load securement and more: • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/ cargo-securement/ • Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance - cvsa.org/inspections/inspections/
HBA OF F-M + 1802 32ND AVE S + FARGO ND 58103 + (701) 232-5846 + HBAFM.COM + INFO@HBAFM.COM