Here is another OSHA v-Tool video, this one is on fixed scaffolding.           Many of the contractors in our fall protection training classes say they use various types of scaffolding on their projects. Whether you use pipe staging, pump jacks or ladder brackets with planks, scaffolding is very versatile and dangerous.

The spring is here and the calls are coming in that OSHA has been on residential job sites from the north shore to the end of the cape. Last week four calls; one from a framer, one from a builder/remodeler, one from a roofer and one from a painting contractor.

OSHA has produced fall protection videos called v-Tools for contractors in the residential construction industry. These videos are produced in both English and Spanish. In our fall protection training we are asked to provide tools to help with the training of employees.These videos can assist contractor employers who are required to train their workers on fall protection.

On May 14th and May 15th Safety Trainers and The Contractor Coaching Partnership will be holding an OSHA 10 Training. The training will be hosted by F W Webb at their beautiful new facility in Hyannis, Ma.

Today's EPA Press release reports Massachusetts and Connecticut landlords were fined for failing to provide notification to tenants renting apartments in pre 1978 properties. The EPA says landlords are required to provide a lead disclosure pamphlet to prospective tenants prior to renting apartments in pre 1978 homes. See article here

In a recent article we learned that OSHA will conduct sweeps of residential job sites in Region 1 sometime this spring throughout Massachusetts. The number one hot potato they are interested in is compliance with the new fall protection directive.

Much has been written about the EPA's lack of effective RRP enforcement in the country. This week the EPA announced that they have fined three companies to date for violation the EPA RRP lead rule. RRP compliant contractors state that competition from non-compliant companies is costing them jobs. 

In a recent OSHA awareness seminar we learned that after the new fall protection standard is phased in that OSHA will likely conduct residential construction site sweeps in Massachusetts. One contractor asked if they would go to the Cape and the response was any area in the region is possible. Once the outreach period has run its course and the winter weather recedes it will be easy to see residential job sites. In areas like the South Shore, Cape Cod and the Islands and Middlesex Counties there have been a lot of injuries, deaths and fines. No one knows exactly when OSHA will be on the road but with spring here it appears it is just a matter of time. The question is how many contractors are going to be ready? Check out Mason and Mason blog post on OSHA sweeps 

A New Hampshire framing contractor employee was killed this week from a falling object in Manchester. According to an article from the Union Leader Tyler Walsh was killed when a metal staging bracket fell from a house he was helping build and pierced his skull. The site is located at 40 Checkerberry Way in Manchester. Walsh was working with other framers for Norton Construction of Salem.

The recent scrutiny by OSHA on contractors in the residential construction industry means many job sites will be visited this spring. Would your men know/subs what to say to an OSHA officer?