Have kids? Want them safe? Ever have to be the bad parent to keep them that way? Ever been told the homework is all done…..when you know better? Have you ever had to be that parent and discipline them – for their own good? Have Subcontractors? Want them safe? Ever have to be the bad parent to keep them that way? Ever been told the work is all done…..when you know better? Have you ever had to [...]
I recently completed an OSHA 30 course for a residential housing developer in Wrentham, MA. Yes, you read this correctly: I taught a 4-day, 30-hour course for all this firm’s foremen and sub-contractors. It always impresses me when I see an organization that raises the bar of safety expectations beyond legal minimum requirements. And no, this training was not for a publicly funded project where it would be mandatory. This is simply how this developer operates — [...]
On November 2, 2015, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Why should you care? Well, besides keeping our country running, contained in this piece of legislation is a provision that requires OSHA to adjust their “civil money penalties.” That adjustment is to be based on inflation. All penalties proposed or assessed after August 1, 2016 will be impacted. OSHA fines are going up, folks. The Department of Labor will be publishing an Interim Final Rule [...]
A recent article in JLC Online, “Working Lead-Safe,” by Tom O'Brien, is hitting the ’net. If you’re not a subscriber, click here to read the full article. It quotes one of your favorite trainers, Peter Lawton. An excerpt: None of us are getting any younger. And for some remodelers, the years seem to have taken a heavier toll; High blood pressure, kidney trouble, memory problems, mood disorders, and erectile dysfunction are all age-related maladies. But each is [...]
..... MAINE CONTRACTORS: The EPA has announced that will begin “an effort to improve compliance with laws that protect children from lead paint poisoning” in the Lewiston/Auburn, Maine area. This includes “steps the Agency is taking to increase compliance... with the federal lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.” The press release notes that the Lewiston/Auburn area “has the highest number of incidences in the state of children under the age of six with elevated blood [...]
..... The Massachusetts DPS just announced a change in interpretation of BBRS Interpretation No.2015_01: Utility-sponsored and/or other-provided minor energy efficiency upgrades to existing 1-4 unit homes (Enacted 11/10/2015) has been rescinded by the BBRS, effective 04/12/2016, pending further review. Until further notice a permit is required for all insulation work (other than ordinary repairs), to be issued by the Building Official. Click here to see a screen shot of the announcement LeadSMART received via email. Stay healthy, [...]
In case you missed it, John Oliver of HBO's Last Week Tonight, had an extensive, highly accurate monologue about lead poisoning in the United States. While showcasing his unique brand of humor, it was right on the money about the pervasiveness of the problem of lead poisoning. Click here to view. And folks... stay healthy! Peter & the LeadSMART team
In the past, LeadSMART has recommended that people working in Rhode Island take the Massachusetts LSR training and then take a Rhode Island 45 minute online training course. This would give you the certification you need to work on lead projects in Rhode Island (of course, you also need your firm license, just like anywhere else!). After speaking with a representative from the Rhode Island Department of Health, we are revising our guidelines a bit. Per the [...]
For those of you who remember, the EPA RRP Rule went into effect 4/22/10. Folks who got their Certified Renovator certification early in the process had their renewal deadline extended until March 31, 2016. That’s next weeks, folks! If you miss your deadline, your certificate is not valid although you have up to one year to renew without having to take the initial, 8-hour course again. Remember, you can’t work on lead jobs with an expired certificate. [...]
This is NOT an approved EPA lead paint test. You don't want your crew testing for lead paint like this! Learn from my mistakes. Everybody goes home today. You've heard me say it often enough if you've been reading my blog. I know how hard it can be to keep your crew safe. It's even more difficult when there is a language barrier. That's why I decided to add Portuguese-language LSR-S (MA RRP) & OSHA [...]