Companies faced with hiring an environmental contractor must deal with a maze of issues when making their choice. Federal and state governments have legislative requirements regulating various environmental issues with significant penalties for violations. There are a number of considerations for anyone faced with hiring an environmental contractor, and many questions a prospective customer should ask.

For a discussion of each question, click on the appropriate question below, or scroll down the page to view all the questions and discussion points.

1. Is the contractor a full service environmental provider?
   
2. What is the contractor's reputation?
   
3. Is the contractor on any state-approved lists for the services required?
   
4. What type of insurance coverage does a contractor have?
   
5. What documentation does the contractor provide?
   
6. What licenses and certificates does the contractor have?
   
7. Does the contractor have written policies and procedures?
   
8. What equipment and material does the contractor have?
   
9. Does the contractor offer emergency service?
   
10. Is the contractor's name E. R. Pickett Co., Inc.?
    

1. Is the contractor a full-service environmental provider?

Working with a full-service contractor minimizes the number of contacts required and insures that the contractor develops an in-depth understanding of all aspects of the clients' operations. The background research required to choose a contractor relative to worker training and experience, availability of equipment and materials; and the level of regulatory compliance is minimized if one contractor can handle all of the environmental service needs.

2. What is the contractor's reputation?

A company should ask for references and a reputable contractor should offer them and encourage the clients to contact them. A variety of references in different applications will also show an ability to address a range of environmental service needs.

3. Is the contractor on any state approved lists for the services required?

Only contractors that meet minimum requirements set by regulatory agencies can be listed and should be required.

4. What type of insurance coverage does a contractor have?

A major issue facing the environmental industry today is insurance. Being listed in the telephone directory yellow pages under environmental or ecological services does not mean that a contractor is fully insured or even properly licensed. Both people and property need to be covered during the course of the job. Because of cost considerations, many contractors may have inadequate insurance, leaving the client open to possible liabilities. By requesting a certificate of insurance, a potential client can determine the contractor's level of coverage.

5. What documentation does the contractor provide?

With the "cradle to grave" liability issues that face companies today, proper handling, transportation, and disposal documentation is critical. At a minimum, the contractor should provide a chain of custody, Bill of Lading, and manifests to insure regulatory compliance.

6. What licenses and certificates does the contractor have?

A prospective client should request the contractor's licenses to perform the work. Having these licenses means that a contractor, at the very least, meets certain insurance and regulatory requirements. Providing a potential client with manufacturer training certificates shows the contractors level of training.

7. Does the contractor have written policies and procedures?

It is impossible to comply with requirements of OSHA or satisfy the expectation of a contractor's insurance carrier without written documents which describe operating policies and procedures. Any prospective user of environmental services should not accept a verbal assurance that they exist. They should request a copy of the contractor's written procedures for health and safety, standard operating procedures, and relevant OSHA compliance procedures.

8. What equipment and material does the contractor have?

Environmental contracting and services need both general purpose and specialized equipment to be done correctly. Does the contractor have the equipment necessary to complete the work? Are there adequate provisions for safety, first aid, personal protection, and spill response for the job? How much of the contractor's equipment is owned versus rented? Equipment that is owned, operated and maintained by the contractor performs more reliably on the job with fewer problems, than rented equipment.

9. Does the contractor offer emergency service?

An environmental contractor should offer 24-hour emergency service should you have a problem after normal business hours. An emergency telephone number or after hours answering service should be mandatory for any reputable environmental contractor.

10. Is the contractor's name E. R. Pickett Co., Inc.?

Dealing with the industry leader offers peace of mind that all of your environmental projects are completed with the utmost integrity and within the laws and regulations of all environmental agencies as well as within the terms and conditions of the contracted scope of the work.

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E. R. Pickett Company, Inc. 
1060 Tiogue Avenue Coventry, RI 02816
401-781-3455 or 800-750-0237 Fax: 401-615-7615
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