Block Over Rebar Safety + Insurance

Jhonny, a.k.a. El Nica, slotting a block over a piece of steel rebar without wearing a helmet. Looks like a bit of a safety hazard. I asked him if he wanted one and he wasn't sure. I think at bigger construction sites more likely to be visited by Costa Rica's national insurance institute (INS) workers probably wear helmets.

Whatever you think about helmets, his skill at laying this block is still cool!



The whole insurance process is a little complex and tied up with the permits process and building evaluation carried out by the CFIA (institute of engineers and architects). Here is a brief summary:

1. Get an architect or an engineer to do turn your ideas into some construction plans that at least approximately (to within 10% of building m2) match what you expect your house to look like.
2. The same person can then submit these plans (along with a bunch of other documents) to the CFIA along with details of the materials to be used and an expected budget for the project - this is what the CFIA will use to determine the building evaluation.
3. With evaluation in hand, plus ID etc, head to your local INS office to pay the insurance. It costs a little over 1% of the total project evaluation and covers worker safety etc. The INS will give you some papers for your constructor to fill in and return every month - names of workers etc.

Probably you can get your architect / constructor to do all or part of this, especially if a CR lawyer can do some kind of power of attorney magic.