First came this..... EPA NEWSLETTER Jan. 23, 2015 Renovator Certification Expiration Date EPA extended the 5-year certification of renovators who took an EPA accredited renovator training before April 22, 2010 until July 1, 2015. The extension ensured that renovators who recieved training early, before regulations work practice [...]
Holidays in the mirror, WHERE ARE YOU HEADED? Ben Franklin once said "Fish and visitors smell in three days" I truly hope you found quality time away from your office, clients and projects to rest, re-charge and re-focus, and enjoy family and friends who hopefully did not stay too long. With your needs in mind, we have been busy planning for the new year and have some exciting introductions. Today we are announcing our online safety training [...]
When is RRP/LSR Training Not Enough in MA? “Hey, my customer just called asking for my license number and deleading invoice - is this the number on my certificate?” I wish I had a nickel for every time I am asked that question. My question is: "IS THIS FOR WORK IN AN INCOME PROPERTY?" Silence. This is the contractor remembering what was preached during RRP class. "But I only changed two windows!" "Unfortunately, the number on your [...]
Online Safety training -- it seems perfect. It usually costs less, you won’t miss a day on the job and, assuming you have a computer to use, you can take your class anywhere. Why even consider the old-fashioned way of sitting in a class with an instructor? If you haven’t already, you might want to try an online class. Google a topic you want to learn about and start simple, maybe one to three hours. It will [...]
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CERTIFICATION As most of you already know, EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP Rule) requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes and child care facilities built before 1978 have their firm certified, use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers and follow lead-safe work practices. EPA is now rolling out a new program called Look for the Logo to spread the word [...]
When I bought my 1929 American Foursquare home in Massachusetts, I didn’t think much about lead paint. It wasn’t chipping on the window sills – and, anyway, my kid would never eat paint chips! Over the ten years I lived there, I scraped and painted the entire interior myself -- at least once. Fast forward 12 years. I have moved to Maine and, after renting out my Massachusetts home for a few years, and realizing that being [...]
You’ve been putting off that RRP class you need to bid on lead jobs AND you need CEUs to renew your CSL license. BUT, you don’t want to lose money by taking a lot of time off from your jobs to do it. Is this your life? As former contractors, we understand completely and have an easy solution that will save you time and money. If you are a builder, contractor, or remodeler who needs the RRP [...]
Folks, you might have been barking up the wrong tree on renewing your CSL. There are a lot of myths out there about renewing your Construction Supervisor's License. Hopefully this will clear some of them up and give you the leg up! Question: I heard my CSL renewal form had to be in to the state 60 days before my license expires. Truth: You have a one-year “grace” period to renew after your expiration date without [...]
This is what we typically hear after answering our phone. Frustration is putting it mildly. I get it guys, you don’t want this or any other regulation regarding your work. However, if you choose to stay in the field of construction, you have to get these continuing education credits. The choice is by whom -- someone from the field or ?? Where and how you go about this confuses many. Let’s take a few minutes to give [...]
My mentor, John Zilka, taught me in 1997 the value of working with water and negative air machines. These simple yet effective machines have not only kept our crews safe when working in dirty old lead homes but also keep irritant dust contained and not in our lungs or our customers. These machines became as standard as saws on our sites - we wouldn't ever consider not working with them. Fast forward to last year in Salem, [...]