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 [...]
The final step is now here. RRP is on its way to include public and commercial buildings. With Congress just avoiding the Financial Cliff last night, EPA released their announcement yesterday. To many of you in commercial work, you might have chosen the other Financial Cliff to this one -- yet to the residential contractor who has been forced to learn how to deal with this regulation, we say its about time. "EPA is currently in the [...]
Hey Pete, my guys won’t wear that damn stuff. Do I really have to make them wear those tyvek suits and respirators? I welcomed the interruption from Brian, a former remodeling client, as I was trying to peddle that stationary bike – another of my least liked activities my better half “suggests” I do. When someones suggests you do something – do you? All the time? Recently I spoke with an OSHA compliant officer asking if they [...]
The sweet memories of my earlier days! I quickly learned life was much more enjoyable when I remembered how important using paper became. I didn't realize you must use it also. I guess we are more alike than I thought. Well Parker, although just as important in our life -- we are different. Here we use paper as records for legal protection while your use was simply records proving to me how smart you were (which, by [...]
Ever wonder is that a dog or a cat? My nose will tell me the answer, will yours? Often I hear calls coming into the office asking if a dust mask is considered a respirator and does it require respirator protection training. Hmmm.... let's see. They both cover your nose and mouth but the dust mask looks different than what I see my owner normally use. When I put one on, I couldn't wait to take it [...]