Workers Comp Insurance and Quick Builds?

by Maverick 10 Replies latest watchtower scandals

• 

  Maverick

  In any construction project a percentage of the cost is for insurance. In a private home, at least 10% of the total cost is for workmans comp insurance. This means that for a $250.000 house, $25,000 of that is for this type of insurance. Each subcontractor is required to carry General Liability insurance as well.

  Now my question. Does anyone know what type of insurance would be required on a volunteer project where many licensed, professionals use their business tools and equipment working along side untrained volunteers? Is the Society paying site insurance? What if someone gets hurt? If my employee used my equipment on one of these projects and got hurt, or hurt a youth or other volunteer I am sure my insurance would void my policy. If they knew I was doing this they would void my insurance and drop me NOW!

  Anyone on a building committee care to enlighten me on this? Do you think the Government would be interested in this? I never signed any kind of wavier when I worked on quick builds. Maverick
• 

  ozziepost

  Workers on a quick build are covered by insurance. Their cover depends on their being approved workers and properly registering on-site.

  Kids who turn up and get under everyone's feet aren't covered.
• 

  MegaDude

  Kids who turn up and get under everyone's feet aren't covered.

  That is the sad truth. Nor are they looked after properly. A construction site is a dangerous site with a number of hazards. Yet a quick build site is packed with onlookers and people who are there to socialize, and people who have no real construction skills. On one quick build I was at a brother nearly got his finger cut off by an electric saw. On the same site a woman began backing out of her parking space and a little girl got caught between her car and the car next to her and was crushed to death.
• 

  RunningMan

  Not very long ago, there was a news article about a sister in Germany who was killed at a quick build when a crane fell.

  The society has latched onto the idea of quickbuilds because they save money and generate positive publicity. But construction can be dangerous. Like everything else they do, I doubt if they seriously thought it through.
• 

  morty

  Like everthing else they form.....want,want,want,...take ,take,take,......they dont stop to think the out come if someone is seriously hurt...

  Running Man,...just wanting to know....I always wondered what if someone was killed on one of these projects.Do you know or anyone else if there is a website or link to where and how or any information for that matter on the women that was killed in Germany?How long ago was this?

  mortons68
• 

  SadElder

  It's been five years or so since I was involved in any QB projects, but at that time all projects were covered under the WTS self-insurance program. However, if any small claims came up the congregation was encouraged to cover these locally so as not to impact the Lord's money.

  The society has latched onto the idea of quickbuilds because they save money

  Quickbuilds do not save money. In fact they cost more money. When we did a small KH remodel we found that we could do the job for less by finding materials ourselves. Considerably less. Each congregation is assessed a fee to have the Quick Build group involved in the project. This is supposed to cover their phone calls, etc. In reality it becomes a way to collect money, again.

  In another state my brother in law reports that an elder was siphoning off some of this money for his personal use. This was hushed up quick. He was never reproved and no money was ever returned to anyone's knowledge.
• 

  RunningMan

  I did some searches, but couldn't find anything. It was a few years ago - less than six, more than two - if that helps. I recall that someone posted the article, complete with picture. It may have been on the old H2O board.
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  Voyager

  Maverick---Thanks for posting the information. A lot of really good examples are here to check into. Worth more investigation---Voyager
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  Maverick

  I wonder how the Society would stop a worldly family member from suing if a family member was injured. The Brothers would have to provide false testimony to cover the Society of liability. I know my insurer would DROP ME if I worked on a site with voluteers and children. Brothers who own construction companies need to be very careful, as they could be named in a suit where an injury or death occurred. The Society has a very poor tract record about being stand-up with its members. Loyalty only goes one way with them. I recommened all business owners involved with quick builds call their insurance agents and ASK about their liability on one of these projects. They might be shocked at the response! Maverick
• 

  TheOldHippie

  Materials here are bought locally, because it is cheaper than having them brought half across the country, AND because it gives a good impression, that one buys locally.

  At the construction of the branch office here, a GB member was given a tour by a branch committee member, and they stopped and talked to the guy operating the saw. He turned his head towards them when responding, did not watch his hand, and whoops! it was cut off by the saw. The committee member saw the blood pumping out of the handless arm, fainted - and fell on the rubber band leading the timber to the saw. Half a yard from the saw, someone succeeded in pulling him off, as his neack was just in the right position for being sliced off.

  The saw operator got his hand fixed thru heavy surgery and it's OK again; the others at the site had a somewhat disturbed day, the committee member and the GB member had an experience of a lifetime ..............