Tag Archive for licenses etc

In The Know: What Is A Pollutant Storage Systems Contractor?

When it comes to thinking of contracting, most people think of a man wearing a hard hat and working as a plumber. However, there are so many different fields that it can be hard to choose just one type of contractor. In this article, we’ll talk about one of the most common fields that contractors can work in: pollutant storage systems.

The DBPR defines a pollutant storage system contractor as one who provides services related to the maintenance, extension, alteration, and installation of tanks. These services include the use of various materials and equipment for the project.

In order to work legally in Florida, a pollutant storage system contractor must have a license. This individual can install, maintain, and extend underground fuel oil, gasoline, and chemical storage tanks. They can also alter pump installations and piping.

How do you get a pollutant storage systems contractor’s license? Before you fill out all the paperwork for a license application, you must have certain experience.

  • A person must be over the age of 18 and have a good moral character.
  • Four years of experience in the trade with at least one year of supervisory work.
  • Or, a four-year construction-related degree from an accredited college and one year of applicable experience.
  • Or, one year as a foreman and not having less than three years of credits from any accredited college.
  • Or, one year as a workman, one year proven applicable experience as a foreman, and two years of credits from any accredited college.
  • Or, two years’ experience as a workman, one-year experience as a foreman, and one year of credits from any accredited college.

Are you interested in working as a contractor for a pollutant storage systems company? This job involves using your mental and physical strength and skills in a constantly-changing environment. We can help you get your pollutant storage systems contractor license.

At Licenses, Etc. we are a contractor licensing company and we are professionals in helping contractors receive their license fast. We make the process easy! We fill out everything for you! Ninety-five percent of our applicants get through the process the first time with no issues. To start the process, click our Florida contractor license or call us at 239-777-1028

In The Know: Ever Consider Getting A Florida Gypsum Drywall Contractor License?

If you are interested in a career installing drywall, you need to get a gypsum drywall contractor license in order to install drywall legally in the state of Florida and many other states.

At Licenses Etc., our team of licensing experts can help you get the license for a gypsum drywall contractor. There are a lot of requirements and forms that need to be filled out in order for a contractor to operate legally, and it can be hard to put together correctly. Hiring our team will make the licensing process much easier.

We will walk you through the various steps involved in the licensing process for a contractor, and we will also help you gather the necessary documents for your license.

Our team of licensing experts can help you get the license for a new or existing business, and we will also help you meet the additional requirements for the contractor licensing board. If you need to get additional documents, our team will gladly assist you. We have the knowledge and experience to thoroughly understand the requirements of this type of license.

A gypsum drywall contractor is a type of licensed individual who carries out work on a residential or commercial property.

A gypsum drywall contractor is focused on the installation of various metal accessories, such as hangers, non-load bearing studs, runners, channels, and hangers. They also prepare the surface where the drywall will be applied.

This type of contractor is also focused on the application of finish coats and base coats designed for the use of gypsum drywall. This does not include other types of construction such as wood partitions, plastering, and block.

Here are the requirements and experience needed to get a gypsum drywall contractor license: 

  • Four years of experience under a Licensed Gypsum Drywall Contractor or Division I Contractor (RC, BC, GC). This can be reduced by up to 3 years with college credits. 
  • At least one year out of the four years of experience must have been as a foreman. 
  • We want to show experience from this employment period that demonstrates substantial compliance with statutory experience requirements in all the following areas: 
  • Light Steel Framing 
  • Gypsum Board 
  • Finishing 

 For 13 years, we have been helping contractors get licensed in Florida, Georgia, and other states. We want to help you get your gypsum drywall contractor’s license. The contractor licensing process is easy us, because we know what the Board wants and expects. We will work with you every step of the way until you are licensed. We know the deadlines and the requirements for the gypsum drywall specialty. To get started on the Florida contractor license process, click Florida contractor license contact page or call us at 239-777-1028 

Safety Tip #4: Equipment & Machinery Safety At The Job Site

Even though heavy equipment is a necessity in most construction projects, they can still be very dangerous when used incorrectly. Rollovers are among the most common ways that workers get injured while working near heavy machinery.

To minimize the risk of injury while working with heavy equipment, follow these safety guidelines:

Operator Training & Proper Procedures

It is important that workers are trained on how to operate all types of heavy equipment safely. This can be done through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training. Some of the topics covered in this type of training include hazard identification, safety features, and safe maneuvering.

Aside from being knowledgeable about how to properly mount and dismount equipment, workers should also be taught how to start each piece of machinery correctly. This can be done through regular refresher courses and training sessions. Only those who are trained can operate the heavy machinery.

Be Mindful Of What Is Around The Job Site

When working on heavy equipment, it’s important to be mindful of the obstacles you may encounter while in the area. If possible, deenergize overhead power lines. Also, make sure that you mark all underground utilities, like water, sewer, electrical, and gas, clearly and safely. Doing so can help minimize delays and minimize damage.

Workers should be kept away from areas where heavy machinery is working. Swing radius must be observed while operating in tight spaces to avoid hitting people or other equipment.

Maintenance & Visual Inspections Are Crucial

Before each use, it’s important to inspect heavy equipment to make sure it’s in good working condition. Make sure that all of its components are in good working order, and check the oil and hydraulic levels. Also, make sure that all of its attachments are secure.

It’s also important to inspect heavy equipment to make sure it’s in good working condition. Make sure that all of its alarms and lights are working properly. Also, make sure that all of its arms, buckets, and other equipment are extended in all directions. This ensures that the machine is safe to use. If something isn’t working properly, it could cause a major safety issue.

Always Ensure The Machinery & Equipment Used Is Always Operated As The Manufacturer Intended

Each type of equipment has been designed to perform specific tasks. For instance, wheel loader aren’t made to carry people in the bucket, and excavator aren’t designed to lift workers using aerial lifts. When choosing the right piece of machinery, make sure it fits the task at hand.

When it comes to using machinery, it’s important to avoid overwork or overloading. Also, make sure that the equipment has the necessary lift capacity and payload. When it comes to handling materials, make sure that the riggings are secure.

Have Your Wits & Balance Around Equipment

Due to the number of injuries that workers suffer every year, there is a proper and a bad way to dismount and mount heavy equipment. Always maintain at least three points of contact while climbing. Also, never carry anything with you when exiting or entering the cab.

You should never enter or exit a moving piece of equipment while it’s in operation. You must also disconnect the hydraulic controls and engage the parking brake to avoid unauthorized use. You should take the keys with you so that you can avoid unauthorized use.

Last But Not Least, Wear Whatever Harness Or Seatbelts Required

Not only are they a suggestion, but they can also save your life if the equipment in your vehicle starts to tip over. If you are not wearing a seatbelt or harness, you might as well jump out of the cab to avoid getting severely injured. However, this is not the best option, as the equipment could tip over and fall on you as you try to make your way out.

The purpose of the seatbelt is to keep you safe in the event that the equipment in your vehicle gets rolled over. It will prevent you from getting thrown out of the cab or getting bumped around.

Remember, Its Always Safety 1st

While these are not the “all” of recommendations regarding best safety practices one should implement when operating machinery or equipment, they are a good foundation to start on.  If you are planning on having your job sites as safe as possible, then your team must be trained. We have a vast network of resources and people we can recommend and help with you such matters.   If you have any questions or comments, please share them with us.

We also can help you get your contractor’s license. As a contractor licensing company, we have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get their contractor license, and we want to help you too. First, you provide us with some basic information on your skills, background, testing, education, and other information. Then, we will fill out all the paperwork, let you know if you are missing anything, finish up the application, and submit it to the Board on your behalf to get you approved.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor’s license page to learn more and get started with us or call 239-777-1028.

Safety Tip #3: 5 Crucial Safety Best Practices You Should Incorporate Into Your Job Site

Being a construction worker is one of the most dangerous positions in the world. Having a well-designed safety plan can help minimize the risk of injury.  Early this year, we published 2 articles regarding safety and now wanted to expand a little more on this topic.  Below are additional recommendations we like to share with you:

  1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Simply put, you must wear it Construction sites require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, masks, and glasses. It’s also important that your team members wear the appropriate clothing to protect their lower body. This can be done through the use of long pants and steel-toed boots. Having the proper equipment can help minimize the risk of injury on the job.
  2. Ensure That Work Areas Are Always As Clear As Possible.
    You should ensure that your work areas are clear and clean. This can help prevent injuries such as falls and lacerations, which can happen when your team members leave their equipment lying around. It’s important to emphasize this while also getting your team to take extra safety measures.
  3. Enforce & Monitor Crowd Control Within Work Areas
    Large construction projects often have large groups of people working together. This can lead to issues with safety and management. Limiting the number of people working in a certain area is also a good idea. For instance, if a heavy piece of equipment is being used, you should inform everyone who is not directly involved in the project that they should leave the area until the task is complete. Construction tools and equipment are incredibly powerful and can be very dangerous to people, especially when they are focused on something else. This is why it’s important to keep spectators away from the worksite.
  4. For Emergency & Communication Purposes Keep A Communication Device On Hand
    You want to make sure that the injured worker is treated quickly, especially when there are large job sites. But, injuries may happen in isolated locations as well. One of the most important safety tips that you should implement is having your workers always carry a communication device, such as a cellphone or a radio. This will allow them to make a call or text if they get injured.
  5. Build A Safety Culture Around Your Team
    As a contractor, you have limited control over how you promote safety on your worksites. You can set clear expectations for your team and hold them accountable, but you can’t be everywhere at the same time. Getting the buy-in of your team members can help you implement effective safety practices and reduce the risk of injury on your worksite. One of the most effective ways to promote safety on your worksite is by getting your team leaders involved. They can help you identify potential issues and resolve them as they occur. If you haven’t already, it’s important that your team members are trained in construction site safety. This can help them understand the various risks associated with the work they do.

While these are not the “all” of recommendations regarding best safety practices one should implement in a job site, they are a good foundation to start on.  If you are planning on having your job sites as safe as possible, then your team must be trained. This can be especially true for those working with special equipment, such as scaffolding. We have a vast network of resources and people we can recommend and help with you such matters.   If you have any questions or comments, please share them with us.

We also can help you get your contractor’s license. As a contractor licensing company, we have helped thousands of contractors across the United States get their contractor license, and we want to help you too. First, you provide us with some basic information on your skills, background, testing, education, and other information. Then, we will fill out all the paperwork, let you know if you are missing anything, finish up the application, and submit it to the Board on your behalf to get you approved.

To get your contractor license, click our Florida contractor’s license page to learn more and get started with us or call 239-777-1028.

Things To Consider As A Florida Contractor When Joining A Trade Organization

As a contractor, it’s important that you are licensed in Florida . Having this license allows you to expand your scope of work and earn more money. You can also join a trade organization to improve your skills and expand your career.

Being a part of a trade organization can help you expand your scope of professional contacts and improve your skills. It can also help you build new business opportunities. Although some trade organizations charge for dues, it is well spent.

Through their various newsletters, magazines, and online forums, trade organizations can provide you with the latest information about the construction and building industry. Being informed about the latest trends can help you stand out from the crowd.

Various trade organizations also provide professional development and education. They usually hold seminars and conferences, and some even have access to legal experts.

Here are five trade organizations related to the building and contracting trades (some may have regional or local chapters in Florida): 

  

Associated Builders and Contractors: With a membership of more than 21,000 professionals across 70 chapters, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) advocates for open competition and a free-enterprise approach that awards contracts based on merit (and not union affiliation). 

  

Associated General Contractors of America: Associated General Contractors of America (known as AGC) represents more than 26,000 firms, including more than 9,000 specialty-contracting firms. Its powerful advocacy wing supports federal infrastructure spending, and its guiding principles include philanthropy and workplace diversity. 

  

National Association of Home Builders: The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is comprised of more than 800 state and local associations; about one-third of its members are homebuilders or remodelers. Members can participate in councils that focus on specific disciplines within the home building industry and have access to a wealth of information and experts. 

  

National Association of Women in Construction: The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWC) is a network group with a mission to enhance the success of women in the industry. It provides members with opportunities for professional development and leadership training, among other benefits. 

  

American Subcontractors Association: The American Subcontractors Association (ACA) seeks to improve the business environment in the construction industry through reforms, and represents the interests of subcontractors, specialty contractors, and materials suppliers. It maintains professional standards of practice for members to follow when bidding and executing contracts. 

You don’t need to join a trade organization to be a successful contractor, but you must have a contractor license to work legally.  

At Licenses, Etc., we are a Florida contractor licensing company who help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor license  page or call 239-777-1028. 

Safety Tip #2: How Safety Glasses Can Make The Difference In Your Contracting Business

What do flying debris, airborne dust, and shattering glass have in common?

They can all cause eye injuries.  In our last blog article, we talked about boot safety.  Well we can’t forget about safety sunglasses.

It’s no surprise that the construction industry ranks second among occupations with the highest rate of eye injuries, given the number of potential hazards that workers face each day.

According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, three out of every five eye injuries in the workplace happen to individuals who are not wearing eye protection. More than 20,000 eye injuries occur at work each year, and reportedly cost an estimated $300 million in lost productivity, medical bills, and workers’ compensation claims.

The federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains safety standards for eye and face protection; in most cases, personal protective eyewear is mandatory at job sites. Safety glasses with side shields are required for environments in which concrete, metal, and wood particles are in the air.

Here are a few tips for picking the right pair of safety glasses and staying safe at work:

–Simply put, wearing safety glasses is your best defense against injury. Be sure your eyewear is OSHA-compliant and carries the approval of the American National Standards Institute. Sealed glasses provide the best protection from airborne debris.

–Workers exposed to daylong sunlight should wear safety glasses that offer protection from the sun’s ultra-violet rays. Look for glasses marked “UV400,” which provide 100-percent protection. Glasses with variable lenses stay clear indoors, and transition to a dark tint outdoors. Lenses with an anti-fog coating will prevent temperature and humidity changes from obscuring your view.

–Take steps to create a safer work environment and make an eye safety checklist. Identify primary hazards at each job site, secure objects that could fall, make sure that safety systems on power tools are functional, and designate specific areas for activities that create dust and debris. Take time at the end of each day to clean up and re-evaluate the workspace for potential issues.

–Make sure you have a first-aid kit on hand that contains an ample amount eye wash, which can be used to flush out any specks of debris.  However, a person who has suffered an eye cut or puncture should not flush the eye, and instead seek immediate medical attention.

Having the right licenses for the job are just as important as workplace safety. A Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit our Florida contractor licensing page or call 239-777-1028.

Safety Tip #1 For The New Year: Boots Keep Your Contractor Business On Its Feet

You’ve just received a license from Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and you’re ready to get to work. But before you step onto your next job site, are your feet properly protected?

Picking the right boots will keep your feet safe, comfortable, and could even help boost productivity in the long run. Tens of thousands of foot injuries occur each year and result in lost workdays, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While there are many different kinds of boots that offer an array of safety features, there’s a difference between work boots and safety boots. Safety boots typically have toecaps that protect your feet from heavy falling objects and sole plates that prevent nail punctures, among other features.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires certain types of footwear depending on the type of work involved, so it’s important to know the requirements.

Here are a few things to consider before buying:

  1. –First, assess the hazards. Worksite conditions will dictate what kind of boots you need, whether you’re working indoors or outdoors. Are there surfaces that could become slippery? Are there heavy objects – such as pipes, beams, sharp tools, tree trunks, or rocks – that could fall at any given time? Are there live wires or conductors of electricity present? Are there any liquids that are corrosive or potentially harmful?
  2. Pick the pair that protects you from any adverse conditions you might encounter.
  3. Look online to find reviews that list safety and comfort features and note how a particular brand holds up over time. You’ll want boots that last and don’t start to rip within a few short months. Top-rated boots for the construction industry in 2017 include the Timberland PRO Pit Boss 6-inch Steel Toe Work Boot and the Caterpillar Diagnostic Hi Waterproof Steel Toe Work Boot. Boots with composite-toe protection are made with materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, or plastic; while they’re lighter than steel- or aluminum-toe boots, they’re not quite as strong. However, they offer better protection from electrical hazards and decrease the risk of being shocked.
  4. Finally, try them on before buying. While it’s tempting to buy a top-rated pair online to save time, you’ll get more for your money if you know you’ll be comfortable wearing them all day long. The right pair of boots will feel flexible and supportive.

Simply put, Avoid boots that pinch your toes or ankles, and take some time to break them in before wearing them to work. Buying boots that don’t fit correctly will be a distraction, and could not only hurt your feet, but also affect your mood.

Keeping safety on the job site should be any contractor’s number 1 priority and being well informed not only on regulations and rules but also on good old fashioned “common sense” will keep your business healthy on its its feet.

Who are we?  We are a Florida contractor licensing company can help individuals and companies navigate the state’s licensing requirements, with approvals as quick as 10 days. For more information on Florida contractor requirements or to get an application started, visit Florida contractor license page or call 239-777-1028.

Pool Contractor Work Defined

If you’re a pool contractor or deal with pools on the job, we wanted to share some important information with you from the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA). On October 28, 2016, there was a joint meeting of the Electrical Contractors’ Licensing Board and Construction Industry Licensing Board. In this

Want to Update your Contractor’s License?

Wishing you could get better contracting jobs? You can! Did you know you can upgrade some contractor’s licenses out there? After a period of time, certain certified licenses are eligible to be upgraded. Licenses that are able to upgrade include: HVAC – Class C, HVAC –Class B, Residential, Building, Swimming

The Risk of Unlicensed Activity

As a contractor licensing company, we believe in sharing information and resources with the contracting community so people are as informed and knowledgeable as possible on the latest news.  For this post, we want to discuss the topic of unlicensed activity. Unlicensed contractor activity is illegal; in fact, it’s a