On Wednesday a New Hampshire contractor called me regarding rumors that OSHA was fining contractors in the Concord-Manchester area. He had heard of some guys got pinched for fall protection violations. I could not confirm his story but let him know that Region 1, New England is under a LEP (Local Emphasis Program) for fall hazards until September of 2015. I explained that OSHA is paying extra special attention to residential job sites looking specifically for fall hazards. Then we were notified about the following OSHA Press Release about a New Hampshire contractor hit with several fines. The surprise was not the fall hazards fines but the laundry list of other items that led to fines.  

Yesterday the Mass BBRS voted on the Stretch Sprinkler Proposal which would have required contractors install  sprinklers in 1 and 2 family new construction homes.

on 3/1/2012 we are holding a Respiratory and Medical Monitoring class in Auburn Ma. This class is for Massachusetts contractors seeking to comply with the Mass RRP Lead Law. The class is taught by Safety Trainers, Inc and The Contractor Coaching Partnership, Inc.

I was notified by an State official this morning about a new proposed bill requiring notification of abutters within 500 feet when obtaining a building permit. This bill written by Kevin Murphy from Lowell, is being heard on Tuesday 2/14/2012 at the Mass State House. See below for details;

I learned today that Region 1 OSHA and Region 1 EPA (New England) have issued an EPA/OSHA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the RRP Lead Rule and other safety matters. This MOU (link below) has been signed by Region 1 OSHA and EPA officers. Essentially the two agencies will work together to ensure that EPA RRP Law  and OSHA safety standards are complied with on residential construction projects. Contractors may see both agencies riding together visiting job sites. 

Region 1 OSHA is actively pursuing and fining contractors in Massachusetts for fall protection violations. The following enforcement action was against a roofing contractor in Reading, Mass. working in Topsfield. Read the OSHA press release below, notice the violations cited and then determine if you would be subject to being fined if OSHA came to your job site. All of the violations are covered in our comprehensive fall protection training workshop.

A recent insurance claim did not include the costs for OSHA Fall Protection for my contractor client. The claims adjuster carried two ladders and a plank in his claim estimate to do a 30 square roof on a 2 story colonial. He either did not know how to properly assess staging or he did know and tried to get away with excluding it.

Contractors are telling us RRP costs on pre 1978 homes are not being paid by insurance adjusters on properties damaged by fire, water or storms. Insurance companies and their adjusters are trying to get away with not covering legitimate RRP costs on claims. Many are claiming ignorance or are claiming it is included in the square foot costs of their estimating program.

Not RRP certified yet, no problem come to the JLC Live Trade Show in March in Providence, Rhode Island.

Many of you know I am a big supporter of Eastern Mass NARI and being a member of a contractor trade organization. NARI is a great organization for remodelers and trades to meet with their peers and learn from one another. How about winning a job because you are a member of EMNARI?