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Showing posts from September, 2010

Litigation-I Win, You Lose vs. Mediation-Win/Win

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  Litigation is a zero-sum game.  It destroys relationships and fosters enmity between the parties.  Parties rarely walk away happy.  Even if they win, the expense of litigation is enormous, and collecting on judgments is difficult. Disputes ultimately resolve, but the focus on winning at any cost can lead to prolonged legal battles.  Living with a lawsuit causes ongoing stress, which can distract you from your business and even have an effect on your health. In a courtroom, the final decision lies with a judge or jury who may not fully grasp the complexities of the case. Parties relinquish control over the outcome, potentially leaving them dissatisfied with the final judgment. Mediation has the opposite effect.   Rather than polarizing people, it enables the parties to attack the issues and not each other.     The process promotes open communication, collaboration and problem-solving, which enables parties to actively participate in crafting ...
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Seminar with the Division of Occupational Safety-MA Lead Law

Last week I attended a Lead Health Awareness Seminar run by the Division of Occupational Safety,  It dealt with complying with OSHA, the EPA and State Lead Regulations.  I learned a great deal about the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as the regulations pertain to lead.  I have more to learn, but here is what I know so far: 1.  Certain activities are trigger activities that trigger the protections required by OSHA.  These protections include using setting up regulated areas, providing respirator masks, hand washing and protective clothing. 2.  Scraping lead pain t is one of many trigger activit ies . 3.  "The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 ug/m(3)) averaged over an 8-hour period." 4.  Once a contractor has the work site tested for airborne lead dust, if the amount of lead in the air is less tha...
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Why You Need a Contract with your Subcontractors-Now More Than Ever

Most of the general contractors I know have been working with their subcontractors for years.  Business has always been done on a handshake and things have mostly worked well that way.  However, thanks to the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, times have now changed.  Although no one can contract away liability in terms of compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency, both contractors and subcontractors will not want to be held responsible for each other's work. General contractors need to have contracts with subcontractors with a very clear scope of the work to define exactly what falls within the subcontractor's purview.  If the subcontractor is going to be disturbing enough lead paint so the RRP Rule kicks in, the GC will want to make sure that the sub signs an indemnification clause stating that he will defend and indemnify (pay back) the GC for any claim against the GC for damages due to the subcontractor's work, including the cost of hiring an a...
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