The EPA recently released a YouTube video showing how to fill out the EPA RRP Certified Firm application.

Illegal contractors are thanking the EPA all the way to the bank. The recent EPA RRP Lead Law has given illegal contractors a huge pricing advantage over legally operating contractors.  Illegal contractors (see story below) are using this advantage and in some cases telling homeowners they can save lots of money if they do not follow the the requirements on RRP jobs. Homeowners eager to cut costs are lining up all over America seeking contractors who do not follow the practices. In order to stay under the radar homeowners and contractors agree to not pull permits on these jobs.

Eastern Mass NARI is holding its third seminar on the 8th edition of the Mass State Building Code. (Download seminar flyer) The host for this seminar is EMNARI member Sterritt Lumber. The speaker is Mike Guigli from the BBRS. Many contractors are still unaware that a new Mass State Building Code is now in effect since the beginning of August. Please spread the word to other contractors so they can be prepared for figuring the cost of new projects effected by the new codes.

We are holding our first EPA Mass DLS RRP Certification Training in Auburn, Ma on 8/15/2011. We have partnered with Safety Trainers who has a new training facility in Auburn Ma at 59 Auburn St.

OSHA's intense focus and scrutiny of the residential construction industry reveals the lack of awareness and compliance amongst home improvement contractors, remodelers, builders and trades. Last year OSHA named the industry a target for enforcement and they said they will aggressively pursue contractors in this sector.

The Mass Department of Labor Standards posted the information below on their website to inform contractors that there are consequences for working on a RRP job without a license. In addition homeowners are now becoming aware of this information due to the increase in outreach by DLS. Over the next few months 8 billboards will be placed throughout the state.

You probably know by now that the deadline to comply with the OSHA Fall Protection Standard is 9/15/2011. All contractors and trades who work 6 feet above lower levels must have a written fall protection plan in place by this date. Contractors must train and certify their workers. Contractors must use fall arrest systems, guard rails or safety nets.

A small percentage of Massachusetts residential contractors have applied for their Mass Lead Safe Renovation Contractor License.  A recent check on the Mass list of LSRC's shows less than 1600 Massachusetts companies are licensed to work on pre 1978 homes. Contractors who do not have their lead license are not allowed to even offer to work on pre 1978 RRP projects. Note; there are over 4500 companies from Massachusetts who are EPA Certified Firms.

The new EPA RRP rule changes have been posted on the national register. You can view the new document here. New EPA RRP Revisions

Mason and Mason Insurance is our newest host for OSHA Fall Protection training. We will be holding our next training on 8/11/2011 at their location in Whitman, Mass.