On 9/29/2011 The Contractor Coaching Partnership and Safety Trainers held a seminar where contractors met with an OSHA Compliance Specialist from Boston. Our host was Brockway Smith of Andover, Ma.

Contractors send me pictures every week of jobs with OSHA and RRP violations. As more contractors invest in the cost of OSHA and RRP compliance there is a strong inclination to report those who do not. 

The residential construction industry landscape is quickly changing before contractors' eyes. Federal and State Regulation is descending upon us from every direction imaginable. Running a residential contracting business in today's climate requires new skills, strategies, training, both business and compliance that most residential remodelers and trades people have not had. Regulatory compliance training is a hard pill to swallow especially in this down economy. However the financial risks to the contractor's business are significant and can no longer be ignored.

For our New York customers we are holding two trainings on Friday 10/7/2011 in Riverhead NY. One training is EPA RRP Lead Certification and the other is OSHA Residential Fall Protection Training.

Today I was informed by OCABR that they conducted a contractor sting on a home in Brimfield, Ma. A representative from Consumer Affairs told me that an add was posted on Craig's List soliciting contractor bids on a home in a small community outside Springfield, Ma.

Looks like there are no areas immune to OSHA's reach. This morning we just learned from a Long Island residential contractor that OSHA is hitting neighborhoods. They are randomly looking for residential contractors renovating residential properties. Fall Protection is the main focus.

A Worcester Mass Landlord attended our Mass RRP Training in Auburn on Wednesday. She told us she was there because her renovation project was shut down by the Mass Department of Labor Standards. The DOLS enforcement officer told her she cannot do work on a pre 1978 rental property unless she was RRP certified and licensed as a Mass Lead Safe Renovation Contractor. The officer said because she collects rents that is her compensation and the rule is triggered.

The Contractor Coaching Partnership and Safety Trainers are holding an OSHA Awareness Seminar on 9/29/2011. Our host facility is Brockway Smith in Andover, Ma. The seminar time is 1:30 -4:00 PM. Our guest speaker is Tim Irving from the Boston OSHA offce. Mr. Irving is a Compliance Assistance Specialist.

A large New England roofing company with locations in Connecticut and New Hampshire was the latest OSHA fine casualty for fall protection violations. The good news was the fine was only 34,750.00. The bad news is they must completely revamp their entire safety program for all their related companies nation wide.

Recently I spoke with The Mass Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation