THE INDIANA LUMBER & BUILDERS' SUPPLY ASSOCIATION, INC.
November 21, 2013
INDUSTRY NEWS
YOU CAN USE
IN THIS ISSUE
BUSINESS NEWS
COMPLIANCE INFORMATION
ASSOCIATION EVENTS
MEMBER NEWS
OSHA Proposes Rule Requiring Employers to Report to Workplace Injuries and Illnesses to the Agency
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a rule last week to expand the injury and illness reporting requirements for employers. The notice of proposed rulemaking requires electronic submission of these reports to OSHA The first proposed new requirement is for establishments with more than 250 employees (and who are already required to keep records) to electronically submit the records on a quarterly basis to OSHA. OSHA is also proposing that establishments with 20 or more employees, in certain industries with high injury and illness rates (including LBM dealers), be required to submit electronically only their summary of work-related injuries and illnesses to OSHA once a year. OSHA plans to eventually post the data online.
At a public meeting with OSHA and business groups hosted by the Small Business Administration last week, several industries voiced concerns about the requirement for electronic submission. ILBSA's national counterpart, NLBMDA, is currently evaluating the proposal and will be submitting comments to the agency. More information on the proposal can be found here. Members with questions may contact Frank Moore in Washington at frank@dealer.org.
House Passes Lawsuit Abuse Reform Act
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Lawsuit Abuse Reform Act (H.R. 2655) by a vote of 228 to 195, which could reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits plaguing the nation’s legal system. Among the provisions in the bill, it imposes mandatory sanctions for lawyers who file meritless lawsuits in federal court. In addition, the legislation eliminates the safe-harbor provision that allows lawyers to avoid sanctions by withdrawing frivolous claims within 21 days after a motion for sanctions has been served.
House Approves Bill for Greater Asbestos Trust Transparency
The House of Representatives passed a bill last week by a vote of 221 to 199 that would require asbestos trusts to release quarterly reports on who is seeking compensation due to asbestos exposure. Supporters of the Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act, (H.R. 982) state the change is necessary to reduce fraudulent claims. The Obama Administration opposes the legislation and has said that asbestos fraud is a nonexistent problem.
Companies sued into bankruptcy because of asbestos claims can create trusts to fund payouts for current and future victims. Before final passage of the bill, the House rejected three Democratic amendments to the bill, including two aimed at forcing manufacturers to reveal their own information about current asbestos threats.
Here in Indiana, ILBSA has fought this issue at the Statehouse now on two occasions in the past 3 years. We are prepared to fight it, and its proponents, once again this year, saving our members from unfathomable potential liability exposure.
Surprise Federal Ruling on Chinese Hardwood Plywood
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) reversed its preliminary finding of dumping activity in the Chinese hardwood plywood trade. This ITC ruling also went against the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) decision that Chinese hardwood plywood was being brought into the U.S. at subsidized rates below fair prices. The five members of the ITC voted unanimously against the anti-dumping petitioners led by the Coalition for Fair Trade of Hardwood Plywood. The American Alliance of Hardwood Plywood (AAHP) greeted the decision that will benefit its members that import hardwood plywood.
The September DOC finding that Chinese hardwood plywood was sold at dumping margins was not binding on the ITC, and the DOC assertion of countervailing subsidies going to all but three Chinese companies will result in no anti-dumping duties.
Have All Your Forklift Operators Been Properly Certified?
Federal OSHA regulations require all forklift drivers to be trained at least every three years on the safe operation of the truck or yard-based forklifts they may be using. ILBSA works to make this training requirement as simple as possible so you can efficiently train your workers, keep your workplace safe, and avoid costly OSHA fines. Our LBM specific Forklift & You Training equipment is available to you whenever you need it. Questions? Call Tim Murphy directly at 317-875-3737 or email info@ilbsa.org.
For more stories on national issues, please visit NLBMDA's web page at www.dealer.org. As a retail ILBSA member, your dues are automatically paid to NLBMDA each year. As such, you receive your membership in BOTH associations (ILBSA and NLBMDA) for one dues investment. You are represented in the national association by Julia A. Collings, National representative and current ILBSA President. Joseph R. Collings (Ferguson Lumber, Veedersburg) and Jesse Brand (Brands, Columbus, IN) are Past National Chairmen.
Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced legislation to enable better mortgage underwriting, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs. The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737) would require all federal lenders to consider projected energy efficiency when underwriting mortgages. Isakson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the residential real estate business, cited the importance of recovery in the housing market. Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced legislation to enable better mortgage underwriting, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs. The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737) would require all federal lenders to consider projected energy efficiency when underwriting mortgages. Isakson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the residential real estate business, cited the importance of recovery in the housing market.Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced legislation to enable better mortgage underwriting, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs. The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737) would require all federal lenders to consider projected energy efficiency when underwriting mortgages. Isakson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the residential real estate business, cited the importance of recovery in the housing market.Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced legislation to enable better mortgage underwriting, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs. The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737) would require all federal lenders to consider projected energy efficiency when underwriting mortgages. Isakson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the residential real estate business, cited the importance of recovery in the housing marketSens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced legislation to enable better mortgage underwriting, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs. The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737) would require all federal lenders to consider projected energy efficiency when underwriting mortgages. Isakson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the residential real estate business, cited the importance of recovery in the housing market.Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Johnny Isakson (R-GA) have introduced legislation to enable better mortgage underwriting, encourage investments in energy efficient homebuilding and create more than 80,000 construction jobs. The Sensible Accounting to Value Energy (SAVE) Act (S.1737) would require all federal lenders to consider projected energy efficiency when underwriting mortgages. Isakson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the residential real estate business, cited the importance of recovery in the housing market.Last week, Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) signed on as a cosponsor the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendment Act (S. 2148), which would reform the Environment Protection Agency's (EPA) Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule. The bill aims to reduce the burden the rule has placed on the home retrofit market while protecting pregnant women and small children from lead hazards.
By signing on to the bill, Sen. Coats is the seventh Senator to cosponsor S. 2148 since the bill was introduced on March 1. The legislation introduced by Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Chairman of the Committee on Environment and Public Works, includes among its cosponsors Sens. Roy Blunt (MO), John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Coburn (OK), Mike Enzi (WY), Charles Grassley (IA), and David Vitter (LA).
Among its key provisions, the legislation would restore the opt-out clause, suspend the LRRP if EPA cannot approve a commercially available test kits that meet the regulation's requirements, and provide a de minimis exemption for first-time paperwork violations. NLBMDA expects a House version of the legislation to be introduced within several weeks. NLBMDA members are encouraged to contact their Senators and urge them to sign on as a cosponsor to S. 2148. Please click here to quickly send a message to your Senator.
QUICK SNIPPETS FROM AROUND THE INDUSTRY
Framing Prices Up 15% Year-Over-Year...
Here is another graph on framing lumber prices (as an indicator of building activity). Early this year I mentioned that lumber prices were nearing the housing bubble highs. Then prices started to decline sharply, with prices off over 25 percent from the highs by June. Read more. Source: Calculated Risk, November, 2013
New Home Builders Remain Confident...Builders remain positive about the new single-family housing market for the sixth straight month according to a report released today. The November NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) remains at 54 after the October numbers were downwardly revised. The score of over fifty means more builders are positive than negative on the housing market. The HMI is made up of current sales conditions (flat at 58), traffic of prospective buyers (down one point to 42), and futures sales (down one to 60). Regionally, HMI numbers in the South, West, and Midwest ranged between 56-60, while the Northeast improved one point to 39.
ProSales Chart of the Month
MARKET DATA & TRENDS
Housing starts and existing-home sales both pulled ahead by a hairline margin, with single-family starts realizing more substantial gains at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 628,000.
Click the links to view the market data features and reports
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ILBSA's new Insurance Program...yeah, it IS different. If you are about to renew any lines of coverage (and even if you're not), you owe it to your bottom line to check it out HERE
We will be pleased to come to your business and perform on-site training and demonstration on these terrific programs. Simply send Tim Murphy an email to info@ilbsa.org to get it set up.
Need something special at your firm for education or training? We probably have it and will be happy to bring it to you in person. Just let us know what you need. From forklift safety to compliance issues, we want to be your resource for excellence!
NEWS OF THE MEMBERS
ILBSA Welcomes New Member
ILBSA is proud to welcome a new member to the ILBSA "Family"
