scarry call yesterday..

[Aqua Pro]

I received a phone call from a company that wanted to know what, if anything I was doing to comply with OSHA regulations in respect to my power washing business. I kind of just sat there mumbling. I don't really know who they were or what their agenda was/is. They told me that they were next going to call the president of the PWNA?!?! Why, I don't know...weird....I have no IDEA what if anything OSHA says about my industry. I am embarrassed to admit that but the truth of the matter is I put hours into training myself, hours into investigating new chemicals/techniques etc. but have never asked that question. I just use common sense I guess.

So I guess it's time I take a closer look. Thought I would start here. Does anyone have any idea what OSHA has to say about restoring a deck, cleaning/sealing concrete, removing graffiti....power washing in general?

THANKS!

[PressurePros]

The soup du jour is "let's turn everyone is that isn't compliant so we can corner the market". I understand the guys that do proper reclaim wanting to eliminate the guys that are underbidding by not following any type of waste water capture but this is gonna backfire. You'll hear a lot about the CWA (The E.P.A's Clean Water Act)

One advantage of residential work is easier recapture. Wastewater can be filtered into the grass and you are compliant. We berm driveways to make sure we don't have that telltale stream running down the curb to the storm drain. The rule is simple, nothing you do can discharge into a sewer.

[Jeff]

OSHA has to do mainly with worker safety, are you using proper respirator, ladder safety, rubber gloves etc etc. you will hardly never if ever at all have OSHA show up on any residential job, its not there thing. Hell OSHA budget has been cut so much over the years you hardly see them on huge multi million dollar projects

If you use safe practices and have MSDS sheets, even if they did show up you'd be alright

That call could of been competition or a scam

Be safe

[Beth n Rod]

Originally Posted by Aqua Pro

I received a phone call from a company that wanted to know what, if anything I was doing to comply with OSHA regulations in respect to my power washing business. I kind of just sat there mumbling. I don't really know who they were or what their agenda was/is. They told me that they were next going to call the president of the PWNA?!?! Why, I don't know...weird....I have no IDEA what if anything OSHA says about my industry. I am embarrassed to admit that but the truth of the matter is I put hours into training myself, hours into investigating new chemicals/techniques etc. but have never asked that question. I just use common sense I guess.

So I guess it's time I take a closer look. Thought I would start here. Does anyone have any idea what OSHA has to say about restoring a deck, cleaning/sealing concrete, removing graffiti....power washing in general?

THANKS!

There are numerous areas that OSHA will apply to your business.
Hazardous Equipment is the big one. Pressure washers fall under this one.
Personnel training and operations of H.E.
Ladders/scaffolding: use, precautions etc.
Safety in many areas including: PPE-personal protection equipment, chemical handling/transporting/storage/usage etc, D.O.T. regulations, Fire safety, Equipment safety, First aid, Vehicle operations safety etc.

OSHA Safety and Health Topics

This will help you get started.

Rod!~

[John T.]

Thomas,
Thats an unusual call you got there. I would star 69 that person to see who it was if its not to late or document the time they called and ask your phone company for your records of incoming calls just to see who it is. My Guess since I believe you are a PWNA member its one of your competitors thats a non member looking to break your horns.

IF it was OSHA they wouldn't do scare tactics. They just go about and do there job and if one is not compliant and OSHA shows up then the consequences will have to be dealt with accordingly.

Its most likely a competitor trying to use scare tactics..check your phone records..

[Deck Guy]

Originally Posted by Aqua Pro

They told me that they were next going to call the president of the PWNA?!?!

What...and turn you in to your Daddy? The PWNA doesn't have any control or say in how you run your business, do they?

How ridiculous! Forget about it. Just some #$@%%% bustin' your chops.

[John T.]

Originally Posted by Deck Guy

What...and turn you in to your Daddy? The PWNA doesn't have any control or say in how you run your business, do they?

No. The PWNA requires you to have valid insurance and a license if needed in your area. They hope you believe in there mission statement..How you run your business is your business......

[Aqua Pro]

Originally Posted by Deck Guy

What...and turn you in to your Daddy? The PWNA doesn't have any control or say in how you run your business, do they?

How ridiculous! Forget about it. Just some #$@%%% bustin' your chops.

I know, that's why I had the ??? marks in there. I just didn't get their point in telling me they were going to call the PWNA. Anyway, thanks for the input and advice. Beth, I'll check out that site.

P.S. - When I took the wood restoration class with Everett Abrams, he was generous enough to let me have copies of some of the info he hands out to his customers. That info helped me greatly. I DO plan to implement some sort of employee safety meetings (probably bi-weekly or monthly) that they will have to sign off on, showing that we went over certain topics. Is there anyone in sight of this thread that has an ongoing safety regimen that would be willing to fax or mail me some generic topics/forms that I can use (e.g. like ladder safety, chemical handling, safe driving etc)

-Tom

[FullBlast]

I had OSHA call me today and it scared me right off and just played dumb and found out what they wanted , but they just had some kinda binder to sell me with all the rules and regs, for$200, told them I don't need it and they hung up!

[Scott Stone]

OSHA does not call to sell stuff. If they are calling, they have a reason and are going to tell you what it is. Usually all of their research is done and their mind is made up. Throw these calls in the competitor marketing program pile.

[newlook]

Tom,

Email me your fax # and we will fax some guidelines that we use out here in california as it relates to OSHA and Training.

Email address is newlookpowerwash@aol.com

[FullBlast]

Hey I don't know maybe it wasn't OSHA themself, jsut someone trying to sell something.

[Tegrey]

Jeff,
Don't kid yourself about OSHA. They are a very powerful entity in our society. If you do not comply to the rules and regulations, you will be busted. They affect every aspect of business and they want everyone to be safe, as we all do. True, they probably will never come to a residential site, but if they do, I'd be ready. The equipment and chemicals we use could be a problem. Many folks have the secret formulas for cleaning, many make their own in their basement or garage. This could be the item to put someone out of business? Or hurt someone. Thank You.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by Tegrey

Jeff,
Don't kid yourself about OSHA. They are a very powerful entity in our society. If you do not comply to the rules and regulations, you will be busted. They affect every aspect of business and they want everyone to be safe, as we all do. True, they probably will never come to a residential site, but if they do, I'd be ready. The equipment and chemicals we use could be a problem. Many folks have the secret formulas for cleaning, many make their own in their basement or garage. This could be the item to put someone out of business? Or hurt someone. Thank You.

I wasnt trying to under play OSHA. I was just speaking facts that I know. As Union Steward & sometimes a safety officer for the union or projects on some of the largest state, federal & private projects in Massachusetts in the 80's & 90's I dealt with OSHA agents dozens & dozens of times. I also took many OHSA training classes. They definitly can close any job down, fines can be huge and the hassle to a contractor can be large. Someone doesnt like your company all they have to do is put a couple calls into OHSA and you will have hassles. What I was also saying is they just dont or very rarely show up on any residential work. I've talked with them, they were understaffed a decade or 2 ago and are even more understaffed and actually try to now stay out of the way of big jobs and big biz. the goverment doesnt want them closing down big jobs either. OSHA really isnt in every aspect they dont have the man power these days I worked on huge jobs, saw safety violations hundreds of times, seen more than a few workers killed and many many more injured, some were just accidents and some were due to safety violation and you know I saw OSHA rarely. Once something happens you will deal with them then. I had a project they stayed on for over 2 months 3-4 of them but it was huge job with over 900 tradesmen

In general OSHA isnt after you or me and the likelihood of ever seeing them on the types of projects we most do is pretty slim, thats all I was saying

Use safe practices and have MSDS's and other required safety stuff and if they show up you should be fine

When I get back I'll tell you about OSHA & the ballpeen hammer story....kind of funny

[RyanLRS]

I would not even worry about it frankly. OSHA does not go out of their way in most respects. Secondly if your state has their own Occupational Safety and Health Agency and exceeds OSHA's requirements OSHA does not even get involved. Last if you have MSDS sheets on hand, train employees on proper handling of chems/fall protection etc. to OSHA standards or common sense and require them to follow your rules you are compliant.