However, all of the industry practice and construction systems are aimed at ensuring that one never has to use that device.

WSJ: The Oil Disaster Is About Human, Not System, Failure

In the 1970s Lamb and Casey's founder, Donald Lamberti, started hiring their own superintendents to look over the shoulders of the contractors building their stores and even bought the construction materials, a practice that continues today.

FORBES: Inconvenience

Interstate businesses headquartered in Maine, whether the business is law practice, retail sales, construction, or any other activity that generates income outside the state, do not, by having their headquarters in Maine, subject all their employees who live and work outside the state to Maine income taxation on earnings generated in other states.

FORBES: New Hampshire Law Partners Face Maine Income Tax

Buyers say the practice of using deposits for construction was highlighted in most sales contracts, but they didn't expect the projects to grind to a halt.

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"In practice, on the ground, construction is continuing and the pace is even picking up, " said Yesh Din researcher Dror Etkes.

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Lib Dem Business Secretary Vince Cable said blacklisting as a practice was "thoroughly objectionable and indefensible", while the health and safety issues in the construction sector were extremely important.

BBC: Call for construction industry 'blacklist' inquiry