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The Contractor Coaching Partnership Blog

New Mass codes; 2015 IECC, Solar Panel & Electric Vehicle Ready Structures 

Posted by Mark Paskell on Fri, Jul 08, 2016 @ 02:45 PM

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.

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Tags: mass csl, building code

As America celebrates the 4th, OSHA increases fines

Posted by Mark Paskell on Tue, Jul 05, 2016 @ 05:09 PM

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.

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Tags: osha manuals, osha fines, safety programs, top 10 osha violations

OSHA 10 certification is not fall protection training

Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Jun 27, 2016 @ 07:00 AM

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.

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Tags: sub-contractors, training, osha 10, osha fall protection, contractors

Building Science Seminar with CLEAResult 4 MA Contractors

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, May 22, 2016 @ 01:54 PM

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.

 

Register NOW! Building Science Seminar with CLEAResult 6/21-22/2016Education 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

 

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Tags: contractors, mass csl, remodelers, education, building science

Insurance companies continue to low ball homeowner claim estimates

Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, May 02, 2016 @ 12:09 PM

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!

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Tags: massachusetts, homeowners, insurance claims, low ball estimates

Contractors need to report job site injuries to OSHA in 24 hours

Posted by Mark Paskell on Sun, Apr 24, 2016 @ 05:01 PM

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.

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Tags: falls and injuries, contractors, osha reporting

Another contractor death..26 yo not wearing OSHA req. fall protection

Posted by Mark Paskell on Tue, Apr 19, 2016 @ 09:15 PM

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;

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Tags: safety plans, deaths from falls, osha fall protection, massachusetts

9 reasons why contractors need to pay attention to OSHA regulations

Posted by Mark Paskell on Mon, Apr 04, 2016 @ 05:00 AM


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.

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Tags: compliance, fines, osha

Jobs for Lead Carpenters, Remodeling Sales & Roofing & Painting Sales

Posted by Mark Paskell on Wed, Mar 30, 2016 @ 10:29 PM

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.

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Tags: lead carpenters, mass, Contractor, jobs

MA contractor misclassify workers, defraud workmens comp can go jail

Posted by Mark Paskell on Wed, Mar 09, 2016 @ 09:56 PM

This week we learned that a Massachusetts contractor was indicted by the Mass Attorney General's office for workmen’s compensation insurance fraud. According to the article the contractor misclassified workers and averted paying $120,000 in workmen's compensation insurance premiums. He claimed that he was a general contractor when he actually performed roofing work. There is a good chance he can serve time in the big house. He even has testimonials on his website stating that he did a great job doing roofing.

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Tags: osha 10, osha fall protection, misclassifying workers, osha fines mass