Most workers in the building trade will happily claim themselves competent in all manner of fields. Years of experience working in the industry tends to make many individuals consider themselves experts when in fact their expertise are not recognised by any official body.

In terms of scaffold training, the issue of competency become vitally important as in most countries it is now the case that when using a scaffold, a competent person must be on site to overview the work and...

Hotels present unique fire safety issues due to their cross section of occupants and wide variety of building types. Research by the Fire Protection Association (FPA) has revealed many problems with hotel fire safety, particularly in alerting occupants in the event of a fire and in the provision of adequate escape routes. Many of these problems are associated with small and medium sized hotels rather than those forming part of large chains.

It is critical that, if a fire...

Regulations are now in abundance concerned with fire safety and efficient training procedures to ensure the wellbeing of staff members in the event of fire. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 came into effect around two years ago and ensures that those who own and run a business must put in place efficient fire safety procedures and make provisions for effective training schemes for members of staff.

One of the regulations involves extensive fire risk assessments...

Most people would like to think themselves aware of fire safety risks in the home and workplace. However, sufficient training to cope with fire is practically non-existent within the general public. While we all like to think we would know what to do in the event of fire, it is only professionals who have had extensive training to recognise the types of fire and risks associated, that are equipped to battle the inferno.

The issue of insufficient training amongst the general...

When the collector calls you an excessive amount of time per day that is one form of harassment. This harassment can be stopped. You have protection under the law against certain abusive tactics that some collection agencies employ.

In the state of Texas, business solicitation calls can not be placed before 8 am or after 8 pm your time. That means that if a collection agency calls you before or after those hours, its harassment. You have the legal right to hang up under this...

Collectors have to study and pass tests with their companies in many cases before they become collectors. They know the laws that they legally must adhere to as collectors and they can actually be fined for breaking the law. But they don't always follow it. Some companies and individual collectors obey the law and some don't.

By law they are required to supply you with all information in regards to your original debt. They have to supply you with the information within 30...

When you are dealing with collection agencies the first thing to understand is that not all of them are like the ones you see in the debt counseling commercials. Some are respectful of your rights under the law. Others however are the polar opposite and they will use illegal tactics to get you to pay. Basically, these tactics are the use of threats and harassment.

A good collector from your viewpoint is one that asks if you have the means to pay your debt in a nice manner....

WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE TAX MAN COMETH

(Tuesday, March 25, 2008 ) - Harold Feder

As many of us are aware, the Canadian Tax System was put in place as a temporary measure to fund the war effort. Over 90 years later it is still going strong with no signs of fading any time soon. That said, our tax system is said to be voluntary in that it is based on self-assessment. Each taxpayer, as defined under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Act”), must, among other...

Piercing the Corporate Illusion

(Friday, February 22, 2008 ) - Jordan S. Halpern

Generally people will incorporate their business so as to limit their personal liability. As corporations are considered separate legal entities from the shareholders, incorporation ensures in most cases that potential losses (which may be attributable to individuals) become limited to what has been previously invested. These parties are protected by what is known as the...

The acronym PASMA refers to the Prefabricated Access Suppliers and Manufacturers Association. Its purpose is to strive for the safe usage of scaffolds and towers in the construction industry. PASMA as a body has been in existence since the seventies working towards a safer operating environment for workers at height. As the body has worked so vehemently towards introducing safety measures, today the PASMA certificate stands as the industry standard for those working at height.