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, [...]
Recently I had to get my transmission rebuilt. You see, I simply love love love my Durangos. My fourth one to date and one thing I know I can count on is at about 160,000 miles I will be rebuilding my transmission. So when I walked in to Fred’s shop (yes the names have been changed to protect the innocent) – I was shocked. A clean reception area where the coffee was actually made on the same day! [...]
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 [...]