Wood & Steel Erection Contractor’s Insurance

Why do I need Wood & Steel Erection Contractor’s Insurance?

• Protection for property, tool, supply and equipment losses due to fire, vandalism, theft and more
• Protection for equipment breakdowns
• Protection for liability losses due to injury or third-party property damage
• Protection for errors and omissions
• Protection for loss of income due to business interruption and more
• Protection for automobile losses due to accidents and vandalism
• Protection for cyber losses due to data loss, credit card breach and other digital threats

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Wood & Steel Erection Contractor’s face unique risks

As a wood and steel erection contractor the risks you face are unique to you and your insurance should reflect that. Wood and steel erection contractor’s Insurance will provide coverage for anything from property damage and injury to theft of tools.

Property Exposures:

• Property exposures at the steel erection contractor’s own location are generally limited to those of an office, shop, and storage of materials, equipment and vehicles. The hazards depend on the extent of fabrication, which includes cutting and welding. Welding involves the use of tanks of gases that must be stored and handled properly to avoid loss.

Inland Marine Exposures:

• Inland marine exposures include contractors’ tools and equipment, including scaffolding, hoists, and portable welders, the transport of materials, and installation exposure. Goods in transit consists of tools and equipment as well as materials owned by either the insured or the customer for installation at the job site. Many times the insured will not do transport, since I-beams and girders are usually drop shipped to the site. When the insure does transport, special equipment is necessary due to the length of the beams. The installation floater exposure exists when the materials to be installed are delivered to the site in advance of the installation. Hazards to machinery, tools, or building materials left at job sites and awaiting installation include theft, vandalism, damage from wind and weather, and damage by employees of other contractors.

• The contractors’ equipment schedule can include large cranes used to put the beams in place. Equipment and supplies are subject to drop and fall from heights, especially when lifting girders or beams above ground.

• Equipment left at jobsites may be subject to theft and vandalism. Some construction supplies may be target items for theft by third parties or employees.

Occupier’s Liability

• Occupier’s liability exposures at the contractor’s office are generally limited due to lack of public access to the premises.

• At the job site, steel erection always involves work at heights. Persons and property may be injured by falling objects, especially when work is done near existing structures or residences. Welding, cutting, and riveting may cause fires or serious injuries to the public or other contractors’ employees. Repair and maintenance work may entail closing roads and redirecting traffic. Improper signage or barricading could result in catastrophic loss of life.

• Both the structure under construction and the equipment (such as cranes) may create an attractive nuisance hazard to children who enjoy climbing. Pedestrians and vehicles must be protected from falling objects through barricades and netting.

Completed Operations Exposures

• Completed operations liability exposure is potentially severe should a structure collapse. The designer and engineer of the project, the quality of materials, and the integrity of the completed structure are all critical. Any changes made by the engineers and carried through in the design must be noted prior to implementation. Hazards may increase in the absence of proper record-keeping of work orders and change orders, as well as inspection and signed approval of finished work by the customer.

Professional liability exposures

• Professional liability exposures may be serious if the insured does design work or alters plans.

Workplace Safety Exposure

• Workplace safety exposure can be severe. Erection work always involves work at heights, with danger from falls or from falling objects. Sudden changes in wind or weather can make hoists and scaffolding less safe. Lifting and back injuries, hernias, sprains and strains can occur from setting up structural parts or cofferdams. Collapse of or overturn of equipment may result in severe injury or death from crushing or suffocation.
• Complications from the large, heavy machinery and their use, misuse, maintenance and transport have unique hazards that need review.

Automobile Exposures

• Automobile exposures can be high due to the transport of girders, beams, equipment, machinery and supplies. Drivers should be properly trained to prevent overturn and to navigate through high traffic areas. Serious property damage or injury to passing pedestrians or motorists or to employees of other contractors can arise during loading and unloading equipment and materials. Long drives with oversized equipment may lead to driver fatigue and resulting accidents.
• For long-term projects away from home base, personal use of company vehicles poses a concern. Similarly, employees may use their own vehicles on company business for long periods, especially to transport crews to the job site.

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