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

Some industries such as banking are fairly well along in making computer systems year-2000 compliant, but others, including food processing, agriculture and farming, some government services, construction, law, and medical practice are lagging, Marcoccio said.

CNN: Gartner's year-2000 survey finds widespread disruptions likely

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.

WSJ: Caribbean Getaways Ensnare U.S. Buyers

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

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

BBC: New Israeli settlements 'on hold'

His architectural practice specialises in the art of casino construction.

BBC: Las Vegas casinos trumped by Chinese 'Sin City'

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

Minc said he wants to stop construction of homes in high-risk areas, such as river banks or steep mountain slopes -- a practice that he said was encouraged by previous governments.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS