Contractors and remodelers often learn estimating skills through the school of hard knocks. The estimate is often written on a yellow pad or any available writing surface such as a piece of cardboard, napkin or piece of wood.

Mass Construction Supervisor Licensed contractors have heard by now that they are required to obtain continuing education credits to renew their CSL license. As of July 1. 2013 each CSL will need to take courses approved for credits by the BBRS.

OSHA in Region 1 (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine) has posted Massachusetts contractors who were cited for fall protection violations on the OSHA.Gov Data Enforcement page.             

Advantages and Disadvantages for On Line Contractor Education and Training. On line training has become more popular as courses are adapted to the on line format. For some contractors the pros of on line training outweigh the cons, however most of the contractors we speak with in the residential industry prefer to attend training classes in person.

Last week I met with a Compliance Assistance Specialist from the Boston (Braintree) Region 1 OSHA office for an update on OSHA outreach/education initiatives. OSHA reached out to me to assist with getting the word out about a new National Emphasis Program on Isocyanates (Spray Foam Insulation) and the new Global Harmonized System (Hazardous Communication aka. Haz-Com).        

Early this year my neighbor asked me if I could help him with his second story family room addition project. He actually asked me to build it but I assured him I was not a contractor but the contractor business coach who coaches and mentors remodelers and trades.

The fall training schedule for Mass construction supervisor license renewals and fall protection is coming together. We are offering a variety of business related subjects that include CEU's to help you succeed in the changed economy. We are finding that many contractors are close to letting their license lapse and calling at the last minute to obtain the required CEU's. We will have numerous classes available for those who are the last minute type.

Another contractor falls and dies as a result of inadequate fall protection in Massachusetts. In my last blog post I wrote about a well known and liked man from Cape Cod. Everything I read about him says he was a great guy who loved umpiring Cape Cod League games. A newspaper article said his wife was the sweetheart of his life and he loved his grandchildren.

A Massachusetts roofing and siding contractor was killed last Thursday after a 40 foot fall from a roof on Cape Cod. Based on an article in the Cape Cod Times the roofer was James McNally, owner of James J. McNally Roofing and Siding of Sandwich, Ma. Mr. McNally was also a well known Cap Cod Baseball League Deputy Commissioner and umpire. The article says Mr. McNally's son made the call to report the fall.

OSHA Fall Protection training for Mass residential contractors will be held on 7/18/2013 at Brockway Smith in Andover Massachusetts. Register here