Many of you know that Shawn McCadden and I have been working aggressively on RRP issues with both the Mass DOS and EPA. Sometimes we wonder if all this time and effort will lead to good outcomes for residential contractors and our industry.

A few weeks ago I suggested to Patricia Sutliffe of the Mass Division of Occupational Safety (DOS) that they should buy a booth at the Shriners Home Show in Wilmington, Mass this weekend. I figured there was nothing to lose and I forwarded her the information on how to purchase a booth at the Shriners Home Show.

On 2/9/2010 The Contractor Coaching Partnership Team comes to Hyannis. Our workshop team includes Remodeling Industry Expert Shawn McCadden, Insurance expert Tom Messier, Attorney Andrea Goldman and me. Register here.

Another snowy day in New England and a good time to work at home. While working on some web content for a client this morning my wife says she off to work. I let her know the plow guy hasn't arrived to plow the driveway. She looks out the window and says no problem I'll make it out. I remind her she doesn't have the truck any more and she should wait a half hour, Greg (the plow guy) will be here soon. Earlier I shoveled the front of the garage door to make it easier for Greg. The snow is wet, heavy and about one foot deep. My wife has a Ford Edge, with a 10 inch clearance. The end of the driveway is two feet.

I searched the EPA website to see how many contractors had become Certified Firms with the EPA from Massachusetts. The search result showed there are just over 4,000 EPA Certified Firms in Massachusetts.

Not too long ago we predicted that homeowners would soon look more carefully into a contractors legal status and EPA RRP certification. One thing we didn't anticipate was a homeowner inquiring about a contractors compliance with OSHA requirements.

Recently a contractor who took our OSHA Respirator and Worker Safety Program asked me to forward his comments to Mass DOS officials. Rather than complaining about the RRP Regulations he is seeking to find remedies to create a level playing field. Here are his suggestions I have forwarded to the Mass DOS Officials.

EPA RRP Trained contractors are implementing the use of negative air machines to obtain positive testimonials and referrals from their customers.

Homeowners, looking for the cheapest price are hiring illegal contractors at an alarming rate. Homeowners read and listen to the news and think that they can beat up any contractor to get a cheap price. Consumers are more inclined today to take a chance on the lowest price (which comes with the risk that the contractor is not playing by the rules) due to our current economic climate. They are willing to believe the cheap price will still get them a great job from desperate contractors. 

Yesterday, The Contractor Coaching Partnership and Safety Trainers, Inc. conducted a RRP/OSHA Respirator and Lead in Construction training for Massachusetts contractors. We developed this training to help Massachusetts RRP trained contractors prepare for the Mass Lead Safe Renovation Contractor application.