Builders Trust of New Mexico affiliated with New Mexico Home Builders Association

2019 Drawing for IBS

What is IBS you might be asking . . . . Well, it is only the premier annual “International Builders Show.” Although it is held in the U.S., it is truly an international show with exhibitors from the U.S. and across the globe.

Housing industry professionals from all over the world flock to this show because of its incredible display of products, top-notch education sessions and unbeatable networking opportunities. The show tends to have in excess of 1,400 exhibitors that fill more than 500,000 square feet of space, with more than 59,000 attendees. Attendees also have access to more than 140 quality educational sessions which are lead by renowned experts on a wide range of industry topics.

After a two year stint in Orlando, FL., this year’s show will be moving back to Las Vegas, NV., and will take place from February 19 –21, 2019.

Now for the Drawing Information

Builders Trust partners up annually with the New Mexico Home Builders Association to sponsor one individual from each of the nine local associations throughout New Mexico for the opportunity to attend this worth-while event by offset-ting their covered expenses up to $1,100.00. Covered expenses include airfare, hotel and registration. In order to qualify for the drawing, you must be a Participant in the Builders Trust fund and have not attended the IBS in the past. Entry forms will only be accepted until September 4, 2018. An entry form is enclosed with this newsletter and once completed can be emailed or faxed back to us. .

Testimonials

Here is what a few of the attendees that won the trip last year had to say about their experience:

Abe Moore, from Alamogordo said, “We had an amazing time and learned so much about what’s new and exciting in the building industry. Being a 3rd generation plumber and business owner it was an awesome experience to see all the displays, innovations and networking.”

Daniel Clements from Silver City went on to say, “ Every contractor should go to the IBS as least once. I spent three days checking out all the booths and displays and talking to supply representatives. It was a bit overwhelming. The main thing that struck us is that there are continual advancements being made in building products. As a builder it is difficult to keep up with it all. The IBS allowed us to gather a lot of information in a short amount of time.”

So, even if your name isn’t drawn, you should still make plans to attend the show in February.

Builders Trust Supports the Industry that Supports us.

Builders Trust of New Mexico affiliated with New Mexico Home Builders Association

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Legislative Update - Road Trip 2018

During this year’s legislative short session, like every year, Jack Milarch the CEO of Builders Trust and Executive VP and CEO of New Mexico Home Builders Association picks up and moves to Santa Fe. This is done so that Jack is able to work in conjunction with our lobbyist to promote key bills that will positively impact the New Mexico construction industry including bills that impact workers’ compensation coverage and pricing. Equally important, Jack is keeping an eye out for bills that have the potential to negatively impact our industry and works with our legislators to ensure those bills are not passed or signed by the governor.

When the session wrapped up on February 15th, Jack’s work wasn’t over as he then headed out on the road in order to deliver a legislative update at many of the HBAs and city’s across New Mexico. This whirlwind trip took place during the months of March and April and covered Las Cruces, Farmington, Roswell, Hobbs, Santa Fe, Alamogordo and Silver City. During many of these events local legislators were also in attendance.

Key issues that were covered in the Round House and discussed at these meetings included:

Helped draft and support a bill from the Taxation and Revenue Department (TRD) In conjunction with Rep . Harper to allow TRD to accept alternative evidence of appropriate usage of Non-Taxable Transaction Certificates (NTTC) when contractors are challenged during audits. The bill passed and was signed into law. Businesses who have been audited by TRD, and especially suppliers, were being hurt by the old very restrictive law.

Organized successful efforts to keep TRD from cancelling contractors’ on-file NTTCs during the contractor license renewal process. This administrative glitch was causing great problems for impacted contractors

Renewal of the NM Solar Tax Credit was supported by us, passed by legislature, but vetoed by the Governor

An effort to promote a Retire to New Mexico campaign was modestly funded and a memorial outlining such a program was passed. Many NM contractors build and remodel homes for retires coming to NM so we feel this is a worthwhile effort.

Keeping our Participants informed of key political issues is vital to keeping our Participants engaged in the political process.

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Jack Milarch addressing a group at the Las Cruces Home Builders Association

Builders Trust of New Mexico affiliated with New Mexico Home Builders Association

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SAFETY CLUTURE

Awareness of hazards and risks alone will not prevent accidents. A comprehensive “culture of safety” must be our primary focus. Most Participants in the fund feel that their employees are your most valuable asset and are fully dedicated to protecting the safety and health of all of their workers. If safety is valued as highly as quality and productivity in your company, then a safe workplace will positively contribute to that quality and that productivity.

As a safety manager you can generally give excellent safety orientations. You may know all the safety rules and be able to demonstrate the safe way to do your job. But knowing every safety rule ever written will not protect you if you fail to use that knowledge every day on the job. If you have a habit of doing things the wrong way, the habit may be difficult to break, but it can be done. The next time you are about to break a safety rule, stop and think about what could happen to you, your co-workers, or your family. Imagine the pain, the inconvenience, and the lost time and money that could result. Always do the job correctly, the safe way. At first it may seem slower, but soon you will start to notice safety becoming a habit. Safety will turn out to be one of the best habits you ever have. It will decrease your chances of joining those who have been disabled or killed in accidents each year.

Let’s review a few basic safety rules:

(1) Use good body mechanics when lifting and moving objects, get help when you need it, and let your legs rather than your back do most of the work. (2) Practice good housekeeping to avoid slips and falls. Clean up spills and keep all areas free of clutter. (3) Do not use defective electrical equipment; have it repaired. Do not touch outlets, switches, or electrical equipment with wet hands or use damaged extension cords; use GFCI’s as required. (4) Don’t use a damaged power tool. (5) Use proper fall protection when required as per OSHA Regulations; set up and use ladders correctly. (6) Take the time to teach safety to your co-workers, especially if you see

them violating safety rules.

Employees often neglect safety rules because they: Are in a hurry

Figure accidents always happen to others

Are resentful of their supervisors, or…

Are looking for short-cuts

Every time employees engage in unsafe acts, they are betting that an accident will not occur. Is health, safety, or even life itself, really worth such a gamble? When employees are aware of safety rules and break them anyway, we say they have unsafe attitudes. This is not part of a Safety Culture. The following are examples of unsafe attitudes:

Not wearing personal protective equipment such as hard hats, respirators, eye and face protection, gloves or fall protection

Not using common sense when lifting or moving equipment

Using alcohol or drugs in the workplace

Modifying or bypassing equipment safety devices; not using Lockout/Tagout procedures

Poor housekeeping: Neglecting to keep the work area clean, free of clutter and trip hazards

Unnecessarily rushing, hurrying, participating in horseplay or any other distracting activities

Distracted Driving; (not just cell phone use and/or texting)

No one can say when an unsafe condition or act will result in an accident, or when an accident will result in an injury, or when an injury will cause permanent disability or even death, so don’t take chances with your life or health; let’s resolve to work safely and build a Culture of Safety!

Builders Trust of New Mexico

P.O. Box 91330

Albuquerque, NM 87199

www.builderstrust.com ®

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PLEASE ENJOY THIS COMPLIMENTARY ISSUE OF BT BLUEPRINTS

To find out how you can join Builders Trust of New Mexico AND receive the best value in workers’ compensation coverage for New Mexico Home Builders Association members, please contact us at

PH: 505-345-3477 or 1-800-640-3369 or www.builderstrust.com

YOUR GUIDE TO SUCCESS Valuable topics ranging from Personnel Policies and Guidelines to Field Safety, Claims Management, Payroll and Auditing functions can all be found in the updated Participant Manual. The procedures and guidelines contained in the manual are specifically designed to help you with risk management, and represent a key component in your ownership of the Builders Trust Self-Insurance Fund. If you would like the most current edition of the Builders Trust Participant Manual it is now available on our website at www.builderstrust.com. The manual is available for download in PDF format by logging into BT PAL and selecting “Resources” on the menu bar on the left and then selecting “Participant Manual” under the section entitled Frequent Links. If you prefer the Manual on CD, would like to get signed up for BT PAL or have any questions about our products and services please contact our Service Center at 800-640-3369 or 505-345-3477 and we’ll be happy to assist you.

BT-PAL . . . YOUR ONLINE PORTAL As a reminder, BT-PAL (Participant & Agent Link) is your internet portal to a wide variety of Builders Trust information and services. For example, once you log on to BT PAL you can complete your monthly Payroll Reporting Forms, make a premium payment, and access reports to view your loss history and other claims data. At Builders Trust we deliver high tech services while maintaining that personal service our Participant/Owners have come to expect.