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Financial Accounting for Construction Contracts

 A contract is a big job requiring considerable length of time to complete and comprising activities to be done outside the factory promises, viz. construction of a dam or school building, laying down railway lines, etc. Special financial and management accounting is required to maintain the records of construction contracts. Since each contract involves considerable resources both in terms of men and materials, it is necessary to devise an appropriate accounting system to ascertain the cost and profit made on each contract separately.

Profit on incomplete contracts: At the end of an accounting period it may be found that certain contract have been completed while others are still in process and will be completed in the coming years. The total profits made on completed contract say be safely taken to the credit of the profit and loss account. But the same cannot be done in case of incomplete contracts. These contracts are still in process, and there are possibilities of profits being turned into to losses on account of heavy rise in prices of materials and labor and losses on account of other unforeseen contingencies. At the same time it does not also seem desire able to consider the profits only on completed contracts and ignore completely incomplete ones because this may result in heavy fluctuations in the figure of profit from year to year. A year in which a large number of contracts have been completed will show an abnormal high figure for profit while reserve may be the case in the year in which a large number of contracts remain incomplete. Therefore, profits on incomplete contracts should be considered, of course, after providing adequate sums for meeting unknown contingencies.

There are no hard and fast rules for the calculation of the figures for profit to be taken to the credit of profit and loss account. However, the following rules may be followed:

(a) Profit should be considered in respect of work certified only, work uncertified should always be valued at cost.

(b) No profit should be taken into consideration if the amount of work certified is less than 1/4 of the contract price because in such cases it is not possible to foresee the future clearly.

(c) If the amount of work certified is 1/4 or more but less than1/2 of the contract price, 1/3 of the profit disclosed, as reduced but the percentage of cash received from the contractee, should be taken to the profit and loss account. The balance should be allowed to remain as a reserve.

(d) If the amount of work certified is very much near completion, if possible the total cost of completing the contract should be estimated The estimated total profit on the contract then can be calculated by deducting the total estimated cost from the contract price. The profit and loss should be credited with that proportion of total estimated profit on cash basis, which the work certified bears to the total contract price.

(f) The whole of loss, if any, should be transferred to the profit and loss account.

Cost Plus Contracts: In certain contracts the contractee agrees to pay to the contractor the cost price (usually prime cost) of the work done on the contract plus an agreed percentage thereof by way of overhead expenses and profit. Such contracts are known as cost-plus contracts. The system of cost plus contract costing is employed in cases where it is very difficult for the contractor to quote the contract price because there has been no precedent which he may take as basis. It is also employed where the work to be done is not fixed at the time of placing order for the contract. The method is generally used where government happens to be the contractee. The method suffers from the following disadvantages:

There is no incentive to the contractor to eliminate waste and economies the cost of completing the contract. On the other hand, he is tempted to increase the cost because greater the cost, the greater will be his share of profit. In case of this system the amount of overheads recovered and profit made depends upon the value of materials used, which is subject to considerable price  fluctuations. The agreed fixed percentage may, therefore, prove to be either too excessive or too low for covering overheads and profit.

Escalation Clause: Escalation clause is usually provided in the contract as a safeguard against any likely changes in the prices of utilization of material and labor. The clause provides that in case prices of items of raw materials, labor, etc. specified in the contract, change during the execution of the contract, beyond a specified limit over the price prevailing at the time of signing the agreement, the contract price will be suitably adjusted. The term of the contract specify the procedure for calculating such adjustment in order to avoid all future disputes. Thus, such a clause safeguards the interests of both the contractor and contractee in case of fluctuations in the price of materials and labor, etc.

Work in Progress: At the end of the accounting period a contract may still be in progress. The term work in progress refers to the work done so for in respect of the contract, which is still incomplete. It consists of the following:

(1) Working Certified: It refers to the work approved by the contractee. In case of contracts it is the useful practice for the contractor to get the work approved from time to time from the contractee. This is helpful to the contractor in two ways; first in case the contractee finds the work not up to specifications, he may ask the contractor to take corrective actions in time. Second, in contract accounts it is useful practice to have a system of progress payments, i.e., the contractee agrees to pay a certain percentage of the work certified (say, 80 or 90 percent). This is advantageous to the contractor since he gets immediate liquid funds.

(2) Work Uncertified: It refers to the work which has been done by the contractor but not so far approved by the contractee.

Work certified generally includes some profit element also while work uncertified is always valued at cost to the contractor.

Sub Contracts: The contractor may entrust some portion of the work to be done under the contract to a sub-contractor. Usually work of a specialized nature, i.e., steel work, special flooring, etc., is done by sub-contractors, who are responsible to the main contractor. The cost of such sub-contracts is a direct charge against the contract for which the work has been done.

About the Author

Rashid Javed is an Asian author. He writes about
financial and managerial
accounting articles,
contribution margin, and
Operating Leverage.

What is the maximum number of contracts that a project engineer can handle properly in a construction site?

I am a project manager for high rise buildings. In my current project, my project engineers are having difficulty in monitoring and doing all other transactions because of too many contractors and subcontractors at the site.

It really depends on the complexity of the contracts and the experience and ability of the project engineer and their knowledge of the project details.

When I was acting as a project engineer, I could handle 6 to 8 contracts at once but I was always involved in all aspects of the project from day one.

DOE management contract provisions do not protect DOE from unnecessary pension costs : report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight and … Representatives (SuDoc GA 1.13:RCED-94-201) …

Government contractors : internal controls and charging practices at TRW, Inc. : report to the chairman, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, … of Representatives (SuDoc GA 1.13:AFMD-89-34) …

Professional liability and RTC contracting with lawyers: Hearing before the Subcommittee on General Oversight, Investigations, and the Resolution of … Third Congress, first session, March 30, 1993 …

Finally!!.Re Iraq Isn’t it about time we find out who these contractors are who have STOLEN our tax monies?

AP:Washington; January 28, 2008
ARMY HAS 50 PROBES INVOLVING CONTRACTORS IN IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN.
From high-$ fraud to conspiracy to bribery to bid rigging. Army investigators have opened up to 50 criminal probes involving battlefield contractors in the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait. Senior contracting officials, government officials, residents of other countries and US military personel have been implicated in millions of dollars of fraud allegations. Battlefield contractors have been implicated in allegations of fraud and abuse since the war began in 2003, focusing solely on reconstruction spending in Iraq. Already there have been four criminal convictions.
The new Democratic Congress plans to ramp up oversight of the billions of dollars being spent in Iraq, including dollars awarded to contractors.

It makes me sick, especially since John Murtha has so many connections to them.

Issa: Obama Executive Order Politicizes & Corrupts Gov’t Contractors Procurement Process

Government Contracting Tips – Importance of Accurate Registration

Government Contracting can be an exciting opportunity for businesses both large and small.  Even in hard economic times, when everyone’s tightening their belts, the government still needs to spend money to keep running.  As has been discussed in previous blog posts, there are prerequisites to becoming a government contractor.  In order to do business with the federal government, you must have a DUNS number and you must be registered in CCR and ORCA.  We all know that it is important that these registrations be completed correctly, but why?  What are the potential consequences of improper registration?

The most obvious consequence is that your business may miss out on a contract award if your registration is not completed correctly.   From a sole proprietorship to a multinational corporation, all businesses must be registered in CCR before they can work with the government.  No registration, no contracts.

If you somehow manage to get a contract, incorrect data in your registration could prevent you from being paid for the work you’ve performed.  Unless you have far more civic pride than the average Joe, this is the whole point of being a vendor:  getting paid for your work!  While CCR does not process payments, agencies are required to make payments only to the bank account and information as it appears in CCR.  Additionally, many agencies will withhold payment if there is a lapse in your CCR registration during the duration of a contract.

Beyond these somewhat benign but frustrating consequences, incorrect information can also have more severe results.  The government considers the contractor to be solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information contained in CCR and ORCA…and for any liability resulting from the government’s reliance on that data.  In particular, liability under the False Claims Act stipulates that any person who knowingly makes a false claim for payment or approval, or uses false information in order to be paid or approved, will be held liable to the US government for a civil penalty of $5000-$10000, plus three times the amount of damages sustained by the government due to the contractor’s actions.  Additionally, unlike in criminal law, specific knowledge of the misinformation is not required.  What is required is only that the accused acted in disregard to the truthfulness of the information.

As you can see, it is of utmost importance that your business’s CCR and ORCA registration are completed fully and correctly.  Even if you never miss out on a contract or face accusations of fraud, corrections can cost your company vital time, energy and money.  Government investigations due to incorrect information can also be time consuming and stressful.

To avoid these consequences, be sure your information is complete and correct, in particular when it comes to your financial institution’s information and metrics used to consider whether or not your company qualifies as a small business.  Also be aware that if any of this information changes, it is very important that these changes be updated in CCR and ORCA.  While the procedural paperwork may seem like a preliminarily inconvenience on your way to a big contract, don’t let this molehill become a mountain due to easily avoided errors.

About the Author

Celeste is the author of a <a href=”http://governmentcontractingtips.com”>Government Contracting Tips</a> blog providing information and tips for small businesses interested in government contracting. She also works in Contractor Relations for <a href=”http://uscontractorregistration.com”>US Federal Contractor Registration</a>, which can help you quickly and properly complete your CCR and ORCA registration.

Trainer Communications Client Testimonial: Michael Karns at Zazzle

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Nashville General Contractors-Construction & Renovation At Its Best

Whenever people buy a used property, renovation is the first thing that comes to their mind. Especially when you are in Nashville, it is all the more important for your house to match this beautiful state capital of Tennessee. The city is known to have some really breathtaking real estate buildings and houses. They are no less than engineering marvels. The renovation work, usually handed to the Nashville general contractors, is awesome and locals, as well as visitors, are completely besotted by the sleek finish of the interiors.

Wide Range Of Service: Whether it is new construction or renovation of an already existing property, there are myriad aspects that need attention. Your living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen, and store room have to look good and be a cut above the rest. A walk through some of the most beautifully renovated houses would give you a pretty fair idea about the esthetically endowed Nashville general contractors who create wonders with their skill set. Matters like deciding on the color of the walls, murals on the ceilings, beautiful decors with matching accessories can be very fussy to decide on. An expert’s advice on this is always helpful. Nashville General Contractors can provide you a helping hand with the following:
 
   *Interior and exterior of a house
   *Revamping kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms
   *Plumbing, electric, painting
   *Landscaping, decks and patios and so on
   *Drywall installation hanging & finish

Who wouldn’t like sitting in a plush living room of their house and revel at the beautifully remodeled interiors. Works done by the Nashville General Contractors can be a treat to the eye.

Service Meeting Deadline:  Agree upon a timely completion of the project. A characteristic feature of Nashville General Contractors is their timely completion of projects, which not only saves a lot of money but also a lot of pain.
 
Affordable Prices:  It is a boon for customers when there is stiff competition among service providers. Always seek advice from people who have already dealt with the contractor as they would be able to shed some light on the selection of an affordable and quality contractor. There are many contractors who are less experienced or have no experience at all. It is very important to check the credentials of the contractor before sealing the deal. Make sure the contractor is equipped with all of the expertise to complete the work, testimonials of previous work done, and the rate for the completion of the project. However, the silver lining is that there are a plenty of Nashville General Contractors who offer the best prices, great quality work, and complete their projects on time.
   
Construction and renovation is a serious business as it requires the hard earned money of the client. The contractor should have the desired credibility and skill to ensure that the end result improves the property. Luckily, Nashville can boast many such contractors who are simply the best.

About the Author

A characteristic feature with the Nashville General Contractors is timely completion of projects which not only saves a lot of money but also a lot of pain.

Lath and plaster needs removed, is this a good time to add wiring?

My house is very old. It has lathe and plaster walls including the ceiling. It is upstairs, so it curves in like many old houses. (barn like)
There is only one plug in currently. And does have a ceiling light.

yes but how old is the current wiring in your home? Once I saw the old wiring in my house I decided to replace it and add new outlets! My wiring was very old and ran through little insulators! scary looking and a real fire hazzard too!!! The coating on the wiring was cracked and the wire was bare in numerous places!!! I also added new phone lines and cable tv jacks too!!! Now I have a brand new 1925 house!!!

Hancock Building Associates, Chelmsford, MA – General Contractor

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With the economic recovery not yet in full swing, businesses are increasing looking toward government contracts to fill the gap. No matter how you feel politically, pursuing government work may make sense, particularly if you are a small or medium business. The federal government is the country’s largest consumer of goods and services. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the federal government spent more than $93 billion last year on prime contracts with small businesses.

However, the SBA warns that the money isn’t easy. Becoming a government contractor take time and involves many steps just to qualify to make bids. Like any market, you must consider if it’s right for your business and you have the infrastructure to manage the process, from qualifying to be eligible to bid on government contracts, to submitting proposals and performing the work.

A good first step is going to the SBA’s web site to learn more. The SBA has an Office of Government Contracting and Business Development to assist small businesses.

Reviewing Business Systems

The next step is examining your business to make sure government contracts fit with your business plan, and ensuring that you have the resources to take this work on. Pay particular attention to your business software. If you have separate systems for accounting, project management and logistics, you may have gaps in managing all the details involved in government contracts.

If this is an area of concern, you may want to consider implementing a different system. This may not be as cost-prohibitive as it sounds. This is an excellent opportunity to consider cloud computing, where you work with a technology services provider to have a system hosted externally and available through the Internet.

Microsoft Offer on Dynamics SL

For small businesses that are government contractors, or businesses that are just entering this space, Microsoft is offering a special promotion for Microsoft Dynamics SL, Microsoft’s solution that combines accounting and project management functionality.

Microsoft Dynamics SL helps project-driven organizations obtain reports and business analysis and is designed for such businesses as professional services, operations, field services and Construction Management. Because of this focus, it’s a good option for businesses doing government contracting.

Through March 10, 2010, Microsoft is offering up to a 20% discount for new customers that are registered in the Central Contractor Registration database or whose businesses are in these Standard Industrial Classification codes:

• 73xx: Business services not classified elsewhere (including, advertising, equipment rental, computer services and business services)
• 87xx: Engineering, accounting, research, management, and related services
• 89xx: Services not classified elsewhere

Additional Resources

• Central Contractor Registration – the primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. Contains information on registering.
• Small Business Administration – includes information on the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development.

Dan Torchia is a writer and marketing communications consultant based in Kansas City, Mo. His clients are from such industries as IT, performing arts, entertainment and financial services. His current projects include writing articles, blog posts and web content for NetStandard, a technology services provider in Kansas City, Kan. NetStandard is a Microsoft Gold Standard Partner and is certified to implement a wide range of Microsoft Solutions, including Microsoft Dynamics.

For more information, go to http://www.netstandard.com.

Are there any drawbacks to registering with the central contractor registration?

The CCR wants some incredibly detailed and personal information, including routing numbers, account numbers, TIN, SS#, financial statements….the works really. I am a paranoid person by nature, and I hate giving the government any more info about my business than is necessary. I also worry that if the CCR database was ever hacked into, my business could be ruined. Has anyone else ever given this much thought about registering with the CCR?

I understand completely why you would hesitate to share your business information – it always makes me squeamish too. The Department of Defense prefers to pay by Electronic Funds Transfer, which is why they need your account/routing numbers, and since you’re going to be working for them they’ll need your SS# and TIN to make proper deductions. They want your financial statements to help them decide whether or not you are a “responsible” contractor when considering you for a contract. The nice thing is that once your info is in the system, you can do work for a bunch of different DoD agencies without having to go through the whole process again – that’s basically the purpose of the CCR. It’s the Department of Defense; it seems very unlikely that their site will be hacked, but I suppose anything’s possible. If it makes you feel any better, it’s the federal government – they already have your SS# and TIN anyway!

In the end it’s up to you whether you want to share this kind of information. It’s a trade-off: you can register for the CCR and give up some personal information, or you can choose not to register and miss out on all those government contracts. You can NOT do business with the Department of Defense without registering for the CCR, unless you are a subcontractor. Good luck!

Government Contracts

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Goalsetter MVP Basketball Systems from the Signature Series

This system is the largest system built by Goalsetter Basketball. The Goalsetter MVP features the best components and parts available for any Goalsetter systems. This article will review some common wording used in product descriptions for the MVP model to help people understand what they are seeing when the shop.

Signature Series

The Signature Series from Goalsetter is their top line of basketball systems. Products in this line all provide a limited lifetime warranty, larger poles, larger backboard to pole clearance, and similar height adjustments for adjustable models. To elaborate on some of these things, the poles are worth mentioning first. The Signature Series, particularly the MVP, provides the largest poles available on their models. The sizes range from 4×4 inch square to 6×6 inch square. The backboard clearance on Signature Series models range from 3 ft. to 4 ft. The MVP has a 4 ft. backboard to pole clearance. Finally, the Signature Series are all height adjustable from 6 ft. to 10 ft.

Internal vs. External Height Adjustment

When shopping for a Goalsetter system, you will notice that in the adjustable models there is both an internal and external height adjustment option. What this is referring to is where the parts of the adjustment mechanism reside. For the internal mechanism, except for the parts that attach to the stabilizer bar on the extension arms of the backboard, all component parts of the mechanism are enclosed in the pole of the system. The turn crank for the height adjustments then extends out of the pole at about waist high on an adult. For the external height adjustment mechanism, most of the component parts are outside of the pole. The mechanism extends perpendicularly through the portion of the pole that extends back on the system; and, the turn crank resides at about shoulder height on an adult. Typically, the external height adjustment MVP models sell for about $100 cheaper than the internal models.

Off-Set Pole Design

Goalsetter MVP basketball systems use an off-set pole design. What this is referring to is a comparison between Goalsetter poles and traditional basketball poles. Most every other in-ground basketball pole is designed in a straight up-and-down structure. To distribute the weights of the system and players dunking more evenly, Goalsetter created a patented design on their pole, which extends upwards before angling back and then extending up again. The extension arms then come forward from the part of the pole that is angled behind the straight up and down portion. By so doing, Goalsetter stabilized the unit more effectively. This is particularly important for the Goalsetter MVP, which can way up to 585 lbs.

Different Rims Available

While an thorough explanation of the differences among the several rims made by Goalsetter, suffice it to say that there are upwards of 5 different rims that are compatible withe the Goalsetter MVP. Each successive jump in the quality of the rim usually increases the price of the system overall and changes the warranty of the rim. The lowest end rim is a non-breakaway, single-ring static rim. The highest end rim is a NCAA level, collegiate breakaway rim. The warranties on the rims can range from 2 years to a unlimited lifetime warranty. Read rim descriptions for more details before ever placing an order.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Finally, a very common phrase seen on the Goalsetter MVP basketball systems is they come with a “limited lifetime warranty”. What this refers to is that Goalsetter warranties the product for the lifetime of the system for the original owner, meaning they are non-transferrable. They do not warranty the product against certain things like, though not limited to, “acts of God” or “vandalism”. A very important point with the product warranties is that the intended uses covered vary based on the material of the backboard. For instance, the glass backboard MVP model is warrantied for residential (home) use only; however, the acrylic backboard MVP is warrantied for both residential and non-residential uses. The distinction is particularly important if a city or company wanted to purchase a Goalsetter System for their respective sport courts.

Hope this information helps in purchasing a Goalsetter Basketball System. Have fun shopping.

Competitive Edge Products, Inc. is an authorized dealer of Goalsetter Basketball Hoops. Please come see us with any questions concerning the Goalsetter MVP Basketball Systems.

I have a contract sim that gives me free internet and buying a blackberry without 3G, will my internet work?

So I have a contract sim card, but I need a blackberry.. so I’ve decided to get one, but I’m buying a cheaper one because in 6 months I get an upgrade with T MOBILE (my contractor) so until then I’ll have to use the crapper one.. so on my tarriff I get unlimited texts and internet.. but will my internet work if the phone doesn’t have 3G? just wondering, and I’m buying the phone next week (well maybe depending after this).. so would be appreciated, and if you think I should know anything else before buying a blackberry as this is my first time.. let me know! thank you.

- It sounds like you’ve got it mostly figured out And as for the internet, it will work.

General Contractor Stone Mountain GA McKen Unlimited, LLC

Collapse of Burning Buildings Video Training Program Move to Safety & Risk Management [VHS] …

Collapse of Burning Buildings Video Training Program Move to Safety & Risk Management [VHS] …

Collapse of Burning Buildings Video Training Program Move to Safety & Risk Management [VHS] …

Hip Clip Cord Management Tool for Electrical Power Tools and Extension Cords (pack of 2) $13.99 Hip Clip cord management tool is an easy to use tool that clips onto your pocket, tool belt, or waistband to manage all electrical power cords. It has a specially designed loop tension bar that keeps power cords out the way during use. It features a universal design that fits all power and extension cords. The cord holder works for professionals, DIYers, men, women, and seniors. The cord holder is…

Job-Specific Printed Vinyl Roll Flagging Bright, fluorescent-glo vinyl flagging identifies test areas, dangerous sites and boundaries of other specific locations. Bold, black messages appear in all caps every 20″. Each roll of flagging is 2-mils thick x 1-1/2″ wide x 150′ long….

Pride & Ownership (DVD) $39.00 In this thought-provoking and inspirational session from FDIC 2001, Chief Rick Lasky gives an upfront and honest criticism about the need to reignite the love of the job on every level, from chiefs and on down. Learn what you can do to drive your members to take pride in their job and assume ownership. This great new DVD is an excellent companion to the book, Pride & Ownership: A Firefighter’s Lov…

Flashover! $59.00 Flashover is both dramatic and deadly. Learn from Chief Dunn when flashover occurs and safety techniques that can prevent or delay this dangerous event. We’ve taken Dunn’s classic video and reproduced it on DVD! Now you can use the latest technology for timeless fireground training. Originally released on VHS in 1988….

Walker Edison Regal 42-Inch 4-in-1 TV Stand with Mount, Wood/Black $229.00 Glass Color:Black This luxurious 4-in-1 Regal 42′ TV Stand with removable mount features a modern design with spacious shelving providing ample room. 4 different possible configurations of your TV on the stand/mount: TV mounted on stand TV mounted on wall TV on stand TV on stand and another TV mounted on a different wall Removable universal wall mount can hold up to 150 pounds TV stand can…

Mirage TV Stand Black Frame/Clear Glass $119.97 Sophisticated modern style inspired by automotive design is the hallmark of the striking Mirage Collection from Sauder Curvilinear metal frames finished in gloss Black are sure to add flair to any decor.The Mirage TV stand is designed to hold most flat panel TVs up to 40” and 70 lbs. Safety tempered glass shelves hold your home theater components, and the back panel has a cutout for easy cord rou…

Z-Line Designs Vitoria 55-Inch Wide TV Stand $479.99 Z-Line Designs Vitoria TV Stand ZL564-55SU 680…

Food Safety Management Systems: A new choice, FSSC 22000

Food Safety Management Systems: A new choice, FSSC 22000
By: www.22000-Tools.com

A new Food Safety Management Certification Scheme has recently been added to the list of choices for food manufacturers. Based on ISO 22000, the new scheme FSSC 22000 is specific to food manufacturers, while ISO 22000 can apply to manufacturers as well as any other type of organization in the food supply chain.

FSSC 22000 includes the ISO 22000 requirements, but builds on them by adding specific criteria for manufacturers’ pre-requisite programs. The criteria are outlined in the document: PAS 220, published by BSI. The advantage to companies in choosing FSSC 22000 over ISO 22000 is the added approval of the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). If your customers are looking for a GFSI Benchmarked certification, then you should consider FSSC 22000. Many large retailers require a GFSI scheme for their suppliers, as do many multinational food manufacturers.

To determine which scheme is best for your company, you will need to evaluate two things:
1.    What are your customers looking for?
Talk to your customers to determine what they are requiring of suppliers. Do they want a GFSI scheme?
2.    Are you a food manufacturer that falls under the scope outlined by FSSC 22000?
Perishable animal products, excluding slaughtering and pre-slaughtering
o    Perishable vegetal products
o    Products with a long shelf life at ambient temperature
o    Chemical products for food manufacturing

(See “Food Safety System Certification 22000”, Foundation for Food Safety Certification, downloadable at www.fssc22000.com)

Once you have established which certification scheme is appropriate for your organization, it is time to start learning about what it will require for your organization to become registered.

The requirements for both standards are outlined in the ISO 22000 Standard, but for FSSC you will implement your pre-requisite (PRP) programs to meet the additional requirements in the PAS 220.  

It is important to note that ISO 22000 does require that your organization has identified appropriate PRP programs, including those needed to meet statutory and regulatory requirements. Choosing ISO 22000 does not mean that your FSMS will not address items such as management of suppliers and others similar to those included in the PAS 220. It does mean that you will be evaluating and selecting PRPs applicable and appropriate to your organization.

Choosing the FSSC 22000 scheme means that you fall under the manufacturing categories listed above; and PAS 220 outlines the specific requirements your PRP programs will address.

PAS 220 includes requirements for:

Construction and layout of buildings
Layout of premises and workspace
Utilities- air, water, energy
Waste disposal
Equipment suitability, cleaning and maintenance
Management of purchased materials
Measures for prevention of cross contamination
Cleaning and sanitizing
Pest Control
Personal hygiene and employee facilities
Product recall procedures
Warehousing
Product information/consumer awareness
Food defense

About the Author

Cynthia Weber of www.22000-tools.com has thirteen years experience with Quality Management Systems compliance including:

Design and implementation of Quality Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 22000, ISO 13485 and others)
Auditing for compliance with ISO 9001, 13485, FDA, GMP and other quality management systems
Design and development of audit programs for client companies, including corrective action programs
Development of Internal Auditor Training materials and programs
Training of Internal Audit teams for client companies

How do I legally get out of my apt. lease if there is a serious issue with it’s construction and is unsafe?

Let me explain. In our closet there is a small hatch like door in the ceiling (does not lock), inside is the attic… A few weeks ago I find it wide open, call mangmnt they tell me to call the police. Police come and climb half way up in there and are baffled, because my attic is shared by the residents behind me… Officer suggested I get a gun and have my husband drill it shut the best he could. As the cop was leaving a man approached us and asked if we were missing items from our apt., I inquired why & who he was, he said he was the resident behind me! Management will not tell me if he has the same attic door in his apt. and we have already drilled it shut on our side. I am scared that I am going to walk in on someone in my apt., I believe someone was here while we were out of town prior to finding it open! How can I go about getting out of my lease without hiring an atty. and are there agencies which oversee apts. and their safety regulations, how do I find them? (I live in Texas)

contact HUD (Housing and Urban Development) they will do a federal investigation you can also contact Fair Housing they will help you to know the law and what your rights are.

Construction Safety Management Plan (CSMP) for the United States

MSA Safety Style 3-D Harness Vest …

MSA Safety Style 1-D Harness Vest …

5′ Anchorage Connector Strap, Nylon w/D-Ring $42.91 Applications: Agriculture, Asbestos Abatement, Chemical, Construction, Electric Utility, Hazardous Materials, Mining, Nuclear, Oil and Gas, Paper and Pulp, Sand Blasting, Spray Painting and Welding…

Yellow Jacket 1493 10/4 Heavy-Duty STW 30-Amp/250-Volt Generator Power Cord, 25-Feet $87.99 Yellow Jacket compound is more flexible and three times more abrasion resistant at any temperature than standard vinyl compounds or blue cold weather cords. Twist-to-Lock male and female plugs power 30 amp portable generators and power transfer switches. UL Listed, Meets OSHA specifications….

Regsoft for Healthcare; up to 10 user license $795.00 OSHA compliance software developed especially for the healthcare industry. Includes a safety manual creator wizard, numerous inspection checklists, recordkeeping, sample forms and audit checklists, all for the healthcare industry….

29 CFR 1926 OSHA Construction Industry Regulations (August 2011) OSHA Manual of Construction Industry Regulations…

Construction Safety and Health $70.00 This book offers an up-to-date, practical resource that focuses specifically on the needs of modern construction professionals and on the requirements set forth by OSHA and other regulatory agencies relating specifically to construction. Extensive coverage of construction safety and health with topics including: job safety and hazard analysis, emergency response plan, and preventing violence …

1926 OSHA Construction Industry Regulations Book (July 2008) $39.98 Compliance in the construction industry is made easier with this comprehensive 29 CFR 1926 book. Access information, including the 1903 regulations about inspections, citations, and proposed penalties, the 1904 regulations about recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses, pertinent 1910 general industry regulations, and all of the 1926 OSHA constructi…

The construction site is one of the most dangerous places anybody can be in. The place is teeming with activity. Several people are doing different things, using various tools in just a single location. All these activities can bring about different accidents such as: falls, electrocutions, scaffolding accidents, accidents caused by falling objects, accidents caused by power tools, heavy equipment accidents, cave-ins or collapse of walls during excavation or trenching, stepladder accidents, accidents involving chemicals, fire, explosions and many more. These accidents often result in deaths or devastating injuries.

What causes these accidents?

• Falling debris.
• Equipment that is not maintained and serviced regularly.
• Carelessness when using cranes, forklifts and dump trucks.
• Exposed high voltage wires overhead or power lines that are dug up during excavation.
• Holes on the floor and open sides.
• Going up and down stairs without rails.
• Ladders and scaffoldings that are not secured properly.
• Exposed stakes or rebars.
• Workers not wearing the proper eye and ear protection required for the job.
• Power tools not having proper guards in place.
• No fall protection gear (anchors with an attached lifeline meant to stop a fall) provided for the workers.

What measures can be done to prevent these accidents from happening?

• It is the responsibility of the General Contractor and all subcontractors of a construction site to create a safe work site.
• All heavy equipments and power tools should be constantly maintained and serviced.
• Contractors and subcontractors should also hire employees that are not just good at what they do but also have a record of being careful in following all job safety rules.
• Workers should be given proper protective gear such as hard hats, goggles and gloves.
• But most importantly, all construction workers must have proper training especially those who operate heavy equipment and power tools.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency that was created for American workers. Their mission statement is “to assure the safety and health of America’s workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health.” They have inspectors who go to construction sites (and other workplaces) to ensure that all safety and health concerns of American workers are being met.

But even with all the necessary precautions being taken in construction sites, accidents still happen. Many of these accidents result in deaths and those who survive may suffer injuries that may require weeks, months or even years of medical treatment. Often, worker’s compensation is not enough to cover all medical expenses that involve serious injury. These workers can ask a personal injury lawyer to help them get compensation beyond worker’s compensation from their employers. It is the personal injury lawyer’s job to help his/her client reach a successful claim from the company or person that may be responsible for his/her client’s injuries.

If you or someone you know need the services of a personal injury lawyer, you can go online and choose from a roster of experts in this field.

Grace M. cares about safety in the workplace. She works with other companies that take these safety measures, including a Tulsa roofing contractor.

To OSHA: Please define “Loading Platform” in a Building Construction project. Is there any OSHA standards?

Requirements for the “materials loading platform” as per OSHA standards

What type of loading platform are you looking to get information about? There are several different standards in the Contruction Standard, 29 CFR 1926, that covers platforms, but the type of training or safeguarding necessary would depend on the type of platform.

OSHA Regulations : OSHA Regulations on Ladder Safety

ETI and IC-DISC export tax benefits for government contractors.(extraterritorial income exclusion, interest-charge domestic international sales corporation): An article from: The Tax Adviser $5.95 This digital document is an article from The Tax Adviser, published by Thomson Gale on April 1, 2006. The length of the article is 1052 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citation DetailsTitle: ETI and IC-DI…

A Business Guide to Sucking the Governments Teat: The Ultimate Handbook to Government Grants and Aide for Business $2.99 There are literally millions of government dollars out their for businesses. Why not take advantage of them?It is very often the case that the idea of growing your business with the help of the federal government summons images of free money grants and red tape. Well, depending on the needs of your business and the type of business you have, there are a variety of different programs available to h…

Independent Contractor — Why and How $7.00 This clear and concise explanation of why and how to be an Independent Contractor, and how and why it is good to employ contract services is written by a lawyer specifically to avoid the use of “legalese” while explaining the law. It is neither protest nor challenge, but is simply how you can use the law honestly and wisely to your advantage….

Danbro: Proposed Personal Tax Changes

Proposed personal tax changes

The government has announced significant changes to the system of personal allowances and tax rates for the next few years. These mainly impact on those with higher levels of income.

Allowances and rates

The 2009/10 personal allowance will be £6,475. The basic rate limit will be £37,400. Therefore an individual will pay 40% tax rather than the basic rate of 20% when their total income exceeds £43,875.

The 10% starting rate for savings income band (increased to £2,440) is only available where an individual’s non savings income (broadly earnings, pensions, trading profits and property income) does not exceed the starting rate limit.

Personal allowance changes for 2010/11

From 2010/11 the personal allowance will be subject to an income limit of £100,000. An individual’s personal allowance will be reduced by £1 for every £2 of gross income they have above the income limit up to a maximum reduction of half of the personal allowance.

For those with income of above a second income limit of £140,000, the amount of their allowance will be further reduced by £1 for every £2 above this income limit up to a maximum of the full amount of the personal allowance.

New tax rates for 2011/12

A new rate of income tax will be introduced of 45%. This will apply to taxable non savings income and savings income above £150,000.

Dividend income is currently taxed at 10% where it falls within the basic rate band and 32.5% where liable at the higher rate of tax. A new rate of 37.5% will be introduced for dividends which fall into the income band of above £150,000.

Internet link: HMRC personal tax changes

Find out more at DANBRO – Umbrella Company

About the Author

Danbro are an Umbrella Company providing accounting services to thousands of Contractors and temporary workers throughout the UK.

As accountants for contractors we aim to:

MAXIMISE YOUR NET EARNINGS

MINIMISE ADMINISTRATION

GIVE YOU TOTAL PEACE OF MIND

Whether you choose to run your own Limited Company where prices start at just £80 + vat or wish to work through a Danbro Umbrella Company for only £20 p/w, we can help you to work out which accounting option works best for you.

For more information contact Danbro at
Head Office on 01253 600140
Danbro London Office on 0207 836 8400

Visit Danbro

Wikipedia

Why do cons het all worked up about a few billion dollars of government spending…?

..but then try to hide or defend outright fraud and stealing by contractors bilking tax payer money in Iraq? Why is there a double standard on wasted government spending?

Cons only know fraud since their a$$ or money is never on the line. See how many of them are chicken hawks.

Tax Accountability in Government Contracts