Newsletter

CSLS Construction Connection

Contractors State License Services is committed to the continued growth and education of your career as a licensed contractor. It is our intention to provide you with valuable information of what's new in the construction industry, important events that you may want to attend, and helpful business and exam preparation tips. You can also stay connected with CSLS through Facebook, Twitter, Linked in and You Tube.

• DO YOU HAVE AN IIPP?
• INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER
• CONSIDER THE ADVANTAGES OF SOLAR IN YOUR CAREER
• TAX TIPS
• CSLS SCHOLARSHIP
• INDUSTRY NEWS

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Do you have an IIPP?
In California every employer is required by law to provide a safe and healthful workplace for his/her employees. Title 8 , of the California Code of Regulations (hereinafter “CCR”), requires every California employer to have an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program (hereinafter “IIPP”) in writing that must be in accord with Title 8 CCR Section 3203 of the General Industry Safety Orders. The term “employer” as used in the Cal/OSHA Act includes any person or corporation, the State and every State agency, every county or city or district and public agency therein, which has any person engaged in or permitted to work for hire, except for household services.

Title 8, Section 1509: Injury & Illness Prevention Program
Additional requirements in Title 8 CCR Safety Order Sections address specific industries, including the construction industry. Title 8, Section 1509 provides the following requirements that contractors must comply with:

Every employer shall establish, implement and maintain an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Program in accordance with Section 3203 of the General Industry Safety Orders.

Every employer shall adopt a written Code of Safety Practices which relates to the employer’s operations. The Code shall contain language equivalent to the relevant parts of Plate A-3 of the Appendix contained within the Cal/OSHA Construction Safety Orders.

The Code of Safe Practices shall be posted at a conspicuous location at each job site office or be provided to each supervisory employee who shall have it readily available.

Periodic meetings of supervisory employees shall be held under the direction of management for the discussion of safety problems and accidents that have occurred.

Supervisory employees shall conduct “toolbox” or “tailgate” safety meetings, or equivalent, with their crews at least every 10 working days to emphasize safety.

Under Cal/OSHA recordkeeping requirements, information on accidents is gathered and stored. Upon review, causes can be identified and control procedures instituted to prevent the illness or injury from recurring. Keep in mind that any inspection of your workplace may require you to demonstrate the effectiveness of your program.

Injury & Illness Records

Injury and illness recordkeeping requirements under Cal/OSHA require a minimum amount of paperwork.

These records give you one measure for evaluating the success of your safety and health activities: success would generally mean a reduction or elimination of employee injuries or illnesses during a calendar year.

Five important steps are required by the Cal/ OSHA recordkeeping system:

1. Each employer (unless exempt by size or industry) must record each fatality, injury, or illness that is work-related, is a new case, or meets one or more of the general recording criteria specified in Title 8, Section 14300.
2. Record each injury or illness on the Cal/ OSHA Log of Occupational Work Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300) according to its instructions.
3. Prepare an Injury and Illness Incident Report (Form 301), or equivalent.
4. Annually review and certify the Cal/OSHA Form 300 and post the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses (Form 300A) no later than February 1 and keep it posted where employees can see it until April 30.
5. Maintain the last five years of these records in your files.

Cal/OSHA Consultation Service
Employers who need help developing, improving or maintaining a safe and healthful place of employment can obtain free professional assistance from the Cal/ OSHA Consultation Service. Cal/OSHA consultants help employers by:

• Identifying actual and potential safety or health hazards in the workplace and finding solutions to eliminate or control them.
• Identifying sources of help for employers if further technical assistance is needed.
• Providing a written report summarizing the finding of any consultation visit.
• Interpreting applicable safety and health standards.
• Helping establish or improve worksite Injury and Illness Prevention Programs.
• Helping develop and/or conduct safety and health training of both supervisory and non-supervisory personnel.

All services of the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service are entirely separate and distinct from the enforcement activities of the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH).Consultants do not issue citations or assess penalties, and they do not inform DOSH of their work with an employer.

To obtain assistance or information from the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service contact any of its offices throughout the state of California.

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Consider the Advantages of Solar in Your Career

With the push for Green across the country, there is a growing interest in the development of solar energy as an alternative to traditional forms of electricity production. Federal, state and local tax credits are being offered to businesses and private residences who supplement their energy use with installed solar panels. Consumers who implement solar can take advantage of these credits, save money on their energy bills and help the environment. This is an excellent time to consider how you might integrate solar installation into your existing construction business and how you might play a role in this lucrative industry.

Similar to electricians, plumbers and carpenters; the role of solar installers may become a staple of the construction industry. Decreasing pricing on panels, incentives for solar installation and government mandates on new construction will all play a part in the continued demand and growth of Solar.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average annual salary for a solar technician is approximately $61,000 and job growth is expected to increase an astounding 267% by 2018.  With the correct licensing and certification, opportunities in solar are available in a variety of California construction classifications:

• A– General Engineering contractors are authorized to install solar energy systems
• B – General Building contractors are authorized to install solar energy systems with the definition of B&P Code Section 7057, since a solar energy system constitutes the use of two unrelated building trades or crafts as required by B&P Code Section 7057.
• C-4 – Boiler, Hot-Water Heating and Steam Fitting contractors are authorized to perform projects including solar heating equipment associated with systems authorized by this classification.
• C-10 Electrical contractors are authorized to perform any projects which generate, transmit, transform or utilize electrical energy in any form for any purpose.
• C-36 - Plumbing contractors are authorized to perform any project using solar equipment to heat water or fluids to a suitable temperature.
• C-46 – Solar contractors install, modify, maintain, and repair thermal and photovoltaic solar energy systems. A licensee in this classification shall not undertake or perform building or construction trades, crafts or skills, except when required to install a thermal or photovoltaic solar energy system.
• C-53 Swimming Pool contractors are authorized to include the installation of solar heating in swimming pool projects.

In order to work in Solar PV as a technician you need to take a course in how to install and maintain solar PV systems.  CSLS, in partnership with AHIT is now offering a PV Solar Technician Program which provides hands-on, step-by-step education in everything a solar PV technician needs to know. You will then need to take and pass the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) exam in order to be nationally licensed.  The PV Solar Program will also give you the education and support you need to get a success solar business off the ground and be profitable.  If you’re interested in additional information regarding the Solar opportunities visit the www.MakeMeAContractor.com website.

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Tax Tips

Once you’ve filed your tax return, you can forget about all things Internal Revenue Service until next year, right? Not necessarily. Now’s the time to follow up on your return with these simple but important steps that will help you avoid problems in the near future and may pay off down the road.

Catch & Correct Errors
It’s a good idea to review your return after you file. The IRS says it will usually correct math errors and may accept returns with certain forms or schedules left off. But if you discover you forgot to report some income or take a deduction or credit, you may need to file a Form 1040X to amend your return. The form is available at www.irs.gov. Be sure to wait until your original return has processed before trying to amend it.

Adjust Future Withholdings & Payments
Is your refund too small or your tax bill too large? Start fixing that now by adjusting the amount of tax withheld from your paycheck. Use the IRS’s online withholding calculator (www.irs.gov) to determine your status and allowances, and then fill out a new W-4 form with your employer. If you’re self-employed, adjust your quarterly estimated tax payments.

Store Tax Records Safely
The IRS requires you to maintain copies of your tax records for at least three years. Additional years can be added if substantial errors are identified. But generally, the IRS will not go back more than six years. If a past return is found to be fraudulent, the IRS may assess tax at any time regardless of the time elapsed since filing.
Store your paper tax records in a safe, dry place, such as a locking metal file cabinet. Consider creating digital copies of important paper documents by scanning them into a computer and saving them on a CD or external hard drive.

Make Plans for Your Refund
Once you file your tax return, you know how much money—if any—you’ll be getting back, but you may not know how you plan to spend the refund. It’s a big decision: Last year, the average federal refund was about $3,000, according to the IRS. Take time now to consider your options. You could use that money to invest in your professional future, business, and education, or pay off high-interest credit-card debt, build (or rebuild) an emergency fund, add to retirement or college savings or make a much-needed home improvement.

-- Adapted from State Farm.com. Neither CSLS  nor its agents provide tax or legal advice. Consult your own tax or legal advisor regarding your personal circumstances.

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Contractors State License Services Awards Johnny Gonzalez with a Scholarship

Johnny Gonzalez has worked for the Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara for over 12 years. The CAC is a non-profit organization that, among many programs, offers a Free “Home Weatherization” program to low-income families. In 2010, CAC weatherized 1120 low income homes in SB County of which many that Johnny is directly involved in. It is Johnny’s hope to get his General B license so that CAC will be able to expand some of their free program offerings to include attic insulation. Although there is a great need for this program, currently there is no contractor with CAC who has the proper credentials to participate in such a program. A General B license would also allow Johnny to “legally and professionally pursue contract work that I cannot obtain now”. Johnny also has plans to provide employment to others in his community once he is licensed. CSLS has recognized Johnny for his contributions and continued vision for his community by awarding him a CSLS In-School Law and Trade License Exam Program.  

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Earth Day – The CSLS Way

Mark your Calendars for April 29nd, 2011!

To recognize Earth Day CSLS will host a statewide open house at each of our school locations.  We will be providing valuable information on programs and opportunities related to Green Building for California licensed contractors. The event will offer a variety of Guest Speakers, Raffles, and special promotions. Mark your calendars and learn more about integrating Green into your business.