The State of Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards is stepping up their efforts to educate consumers about hiring RRP certified contractors. In Massachusetts contractors who offer to work or work on pre 1978 homes are required by law to apply for a Lead Safe Renovation Contractor License. Currently according to the Mass website there are approximately 1500 contractors who are licensed to offer to work or work on pre 1978 homes in Massachusetts. The Mass Lead Law states that contractors must be licensed in order to offer or engage to work on a pre 1978 RRP project. This means contractors are not to suppose to offer their services or bid on a pre 1978 RRP project without the Lead Safe Renovation Contractor license. Here is the application to complete to obtain your license.

A residential contractor called us last week asking for help creating his OSHA E H & S safety manual and safety program. He said he is looking to work for Home Depot as a vendor. One requirement for consideration is he must have proof of a OSHA safety plan in place. This small contracting firm was unaware that residential firms need to comply with OSHA requirements. He said "I thought that was only for big commercial companies." 

On 9/15/2011 residential contractors are required by OSHA to have a written fall protection plan in place for work 6 feet above lower levels. Contractors are required to use fall arrest systems, safety nets or guard rails. In the event they cannot they must create a site specific work plan and have it on site. This new directive is catching many residential contractors off guard. The vast majority of residential contractors have no OSHA safety plans in place and are sitting ducks if OSHA visits their site.

The eagerly awaited EPA clearance rule announcement was made on Friday afternoon. The document is 113 pages long. Here are some of the highlights;

If you were to ask me two or three years ago about contractors turning in those who do not play by the rules I would say most would not. That was then.

Three of the top 10 OSHA standards cited reveal what OSHA inspectors are looking for when they see a constructon site. The increase in deaths and injuries to workers from falls is leading to agressive enforcement in the residential industry. Compliance with the OSHA Fall Protection Directive is required by 9/15/2011. 

The residential construction industry has been eagerly awaiting an announcement from the EPA regarding the clearance rule. The wait is over and the news is good.

Last week we learned that Massachusetts DLS installed billboards to begin the education of Massachusetts residents on RRP and lead. The billboards are aimed at driving traffic to the Mass RRP Lead site where homeowners can learn about the Mass RRP Lead Law. The billboard locations are Lawrence, Stoneham, Medford (2), Foxboro, Fall River, New Bedford and Chicopee.

Looks like OSHA inspectors are going green; an OSHA enforcement officer shows up at a construction job site on bike in Cambridge, Massachusetts.