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The Contractor Coaching Partnership Blog

Mark Paskell

Recent Posts

2010 Best Year Ever at The Contractor Coaching Partnership

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Jan 02, 2011 @ 06:52 PM

2010 was the best year ever at The Contractor Coaching Partnership. I am truly blessed to have the support of so many clients, business associates and friends. There are no words to accurately express my gratitude. Thank you and may 2011 be your best year ever.

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Tags: The Contractor Coaching Partnership, Mark Paskell

New OSHA Directive on Fall Protection for Contractors

Posted by Mark Paskell on Tue, Dec 28, 2010 @ 01:28 PM

OSHA published a notice affecting contractors on 12/22/2010 describing a new compliance directive for fall protection used during residential construction. An excerpt from the directive....

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Tags: respirators, osha, mass, Enforcement

Mass Property Owner Indicted For Violating Lead Paint Laws

Posted by Mark Paskell on Thu, Dec 23, 2010 @ 01:11 PM

Today we learned about a Worcester property owner who has been indicted for violating Lead Paint Laws. Although this is not RRP enforcement it caught the attention of the DOS. Property owners who own rental units are listed by the EPA and Mass DOS as groups that need to comply with the lead safe practices described in the RRP Lead Law.

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Tags: rrp, mass, landlords, Enforcement

Few RRP Certified Firms; Evidence of EPA Failure To Enforce Lead Law

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Dec 19, 2010 @ 11:02 AM

The low number of RRP Certified Firms proves that the EPA's efforts to bring contractors into RRP compliance is failing. RRP compliant contractors we speak with, from Mass, NH, Maine, R.I., Conn, Pa, and New York, are justifably concerned that they will have to compete against contractors who do not include the costs of RRP practices. Contractors tell me everyday that they are losing jobs to non compliant contractors including illegal aliens, laid off construction workers, moonlighting fireman, teachers and munincipal employees. Contractors tell us that the underground contracting community is growing larger because the RRP Law is pushing more contractors to work illegally. Consumers are telling contractors that they do not want to pay additional costs associated with RRP. Consumers already under economic pressures, are eager to hire illegal contractors and take their chances. Last week I was told by a remodeler that he lost 4 projects this month to contractors who are not RRP registered in the State of Massachusetts or with the EPA. These jobs are on properties built before 1900!

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Tags: New York, rrp, epa, mass, Enforcement

Mass DOS RRP Budget Hearings; Contractors invited

Posted by Mark Paskell on Tue, Dec 14, 2010 @ 07:38 AM

On Thursday 12/16/2010 in Boston, the Mass Department of Occupational Safety will be meeting with the Division of Labor to discuss funding for their department for 2011. The DOL and DOS hearing is open to the public. I have been invited by the DOS to share thoughts and suggestions regarding the Mass RRP Lead Law.

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Tags: contractors, rrp, epa, mass dos

EPA RRP;The OSHA Lead in Construction Standard Worries Contractors

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Dec 12, 2010 @ 03:12 PM

EPA RRP Training requires that contractors comply with OSHA Laws governing lead safe practices. In the following slide from the EPA RRP Manual in Module 2, see OSHA followed by the bullet point; established worker protection standards.

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Tags: NY, respirator program, rrp, osha, epa, mass

EPA RRP Deadline Looms; Thousands of Contractors not Certified

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Dec 12, 2010 @ 11:32 AM

On 12/31/2010 the EPA RRP Certified Renovator deadline ends. All contractors, landlords, property maintenance personnel, sub contractors and those who work for compensation on pre 1978 homes must be certified. Anyone who is not trained must not offer to work or work on pre 1978 homes or they will be subject to fines from the EPA. Current fines are up to $37,500 per day per offense.

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Tags: fines, epa rrp training, osha, mass, Enforcement

EPA RRP Lead Rule development history and President Obama

Posted by Mark Paskell on Thu, Dec 09, 2010 @ 04:00 PM

I was asked by a few contractors in a RRP training what part did our President play in the EPA RRP lead Rule. I came upon this great post and decided to re-post it in its entirety for all to read. This article by Mike Finley from ContractorTalk.com tells the story quite well. Notice how much was budgeted for enforcement.

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Tags: rrp, epa, Enforcement

Homeowner seeking information on how to report contractor to the EPA

Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Dec 06, 2010 @ 06:52 AM

When I met with the EPA earlier this year they said they expected that homeowners would report contractors who are not following the RRP Lead Law. The EPA believed that as homeowners become more aware from their advertising efforts they would begin to make the calls.

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Tags: training, contractors, rrp, epa, homeowners, Enforcement

RRP/OSHA respirator workshops for contractors

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Dec 05, 2010 @ 05:15 PM

Last week was a busy week for The Contractor Coaching Partnership Workshop team. On Tuesday we had our 4th successful RRP Implementation Workshop in Westborough and on Thursday we had our first RRP/OSHA Respirator and Worker Protection Safety Program seminar.

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Tags: training, contractors, rrp, osha, epa, mass, dos