PITTSBURGH - In August, Martin Flaherty, board member and past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors (Pa.-PHCC), spoke on the group’s behalf at a joint public hearing of the House Labor Relations and Professional Licensure Committees on licensure of construction trades and consumer protection at the William Pitt Building on the campus of Pittsburgh University.

Flaherty’s testimony focused on the need for a statewide plumbing licensure act, to necessitate a standard for a strict educational process, and ongoing training to ensure knowledge of code proficiency in performing plumbing work.

The issue of licensing plumbers today is characterized as a political football bandied about by special interest groups. Those arguing in favor of licensing cite public safety, consumer health, quality control, and industry-wide integrity. Those arguing against it tend to characterize it as a barrier to free enterprise and a further imposition on small business.

Flaherty closed with an appeal to set forth regulations that protect the well being and safety of the consumer, while providing a fair environment for plumbing contractors to operate as professionals.

The Pa.-PHCC is advocating for statewide licensing, to show its commitment to safeguarding and protecting consumers with higher qualified and more consumer-focused contractors and tradesmen.

For more information, contact Pa.-PHCC’s Executive Director Al Ruscito at 717-541-9109.

Publication date: 10/27/2008