Looming OSHA fine increases will hit residential contractors more than any other sector. On 8/1/2016 OSHA fines will increase 78%. Top Serious fines go from $7,000 to $12,471 and Willful and Repeat fines increase from $70,000 to $125,000.  OSHA will continue to focus on industries that year after year lead the nation in injuries, deaths and non-compliance.

As the date approaches we are getting calls from contractors concerned about the new increase in OSHA fines. Most of the inquiries are from companies who do not have safety program and are not up to date on training their personnel especially on fall protection. In true contractor fashion, a government announcement that penalties and fines are increasing is causing companies to pay attention and act now. Inquiries include requests for Safety Manuals, OSHA 10 and 30 Certification training, Fall Protection training and advise on where to get started.

Pro-active versus Reactive

I remember 2010 when the EPA RRP Rule said contractors would be fined $37,500 per violation if they did not get certified by 4/22/2010. Thousand of contractors sought and obtained training because of the fear of being fined. This reactive approach is very common with residential contractors. I suspect that we will see a similar response on OSHA training and compliance over the course of the next 6 months.

On July 19th, 2016 the Mass BBRS will be voting on adopting the 2015 Energy Code and in true Massachusetts fashion adding some state specific amendments. In the proposed new code they are also considering that new structures be constructed ready for solar panels and electric vehicles. The effective date is still not known but it could be as soon as 8/1/2016.

While most of us were enjoying the Fourth of July weekend, OSHA provided some fireworks of their own by announcing their new fine and penalty structure. Fines will increase a whopping 78% above the 1990 fine levels for those who do not follow the OSHA standards, train and protect their workers and fail to have safety programs.

Many contractors are confused about the different types of OSHA training they must provide for their employees. For example last week I was contacted by a contractor who was cited and fined for failure to provide fall protection training and equipment for his employees. In addition his subcontractor roofer/framer was fined on the same site.

We are having new 2 day Building Science Seminar and workshop for Massachusetts residential contractors with CLEAResult hosted by Harvey Building Products in Waltham Mass. The date is 6/21/2016 and 6/22/2016. I have partnered with CLEAResult a national leader in the sustainable energy and training business.

Our Building Science instructor is Steven Courville from CLEAResult. He has over 27 years in the energy industry as a contractor, building analyst and trainer.  We are also excited that top 2016 PROSales supplier Harvey Building Products will host this cutting edge and timely seminar. I will assist the contractor education and training throughout the workshop.

Seating is limited!

This workshop will be limited to insure that there is ample time for interaction between our contractor students.

Be sure to sign up early as we have limited seats. Training materials, lunch each day and a Certificate of Completion will be provided after the seminar.

Education Topics

• Basic Construction Terminology
• House-As-a System
• Principles of Energy
• Energy & the Building Shell
• Air Leakage
• Residential Insulation
• Windows & doors
• Residential Heating
• Lighting & Appliances
• Residential Cooling
• Water Heating
• Health, Safety & Moisture Management
• Observational Diagnostics

Insurance companies and their adjusters continue to exploit homeowners on covered damage claims by refusing to include items clearly damaged by snow/ice dams, frozen pipe bursts and water intrusion. This week I will be viewing property claims with my contractor client to help him help his homeowner client. We will be meeting with the independent adjuster and the insurance company adjuster. The damage occurred in the winter of 2015!

OSHA has changed the reporting requirements for employers,  job site injuries need to be reported within 24 hours. In our Mass Continuing Education courses we ask construction supervisor license (CSL's) holders if they are up to date on the new OSHA reporting requirements and most have no idea.

Another contractor fell to his death in Leominster, Mass. only a few miles from my home. Twenty six year old Nicholas Kallio, was working in an aerial lift and did not wear OSHA required fall protection. He fell over 50 feet to his death after a portion of the tree he was removing hit the lift he was working in. OSHA requires that while working on an aerial lift, workers must tie off to the bucket. Here are two important sections from the OSHA Scaffolding Standard Subpart L Aerial Lift section;

9 OSHA changes and developments that impact residential contractors today.

Contractors in the residential construction industry are facing major OSHA regulations and changes that will significantly affect their business now and into the future. I am helping many contractors learn about these items in our Massachusetts Continuing Education courses for Construction Supervisor License holders.  The majority of our students are surprised to learn that OSHA is now focusing (targeted industry) heavily on the residential sector. Most of the contractors know who OSHA is, but lack basic knowledge of the OSHA standards and what they need to do for compliance. When OSHA comes by their job site they are sitting ducks for citations and fines.

In former posts we mentioned that most of the OSHA training we do for contractors is usually after someone is fined, injured or killed. I hope that by educating as many contractors as possible that we can prevent all three. In addition to these three items new OSHA rules and developments will lead to more visits to residential contractors. I hope we can save someone from having to go through an OSHA site audit where the outcome is usually heavy fines.

Following you will learn about the developments from new OSHA changes and regulations.

Stay tuned as I will be following this post up with more details about each one in the coming weeks.

We have great paying jobs for qualified Lead Carpenters, Remodeling Salespeople and Home Improvement Sales. Much has been written about the shortage of qualified Lead Carpenters and trades. Now let's add salespeople who can help secure business from the increase in leads caused by strong consumer demand.