Harold:
The "back-wire" on devices MAY remove some of the paint. Guess the EC had them stripped?
That's a question for Leviton, Eagle, etc.
IMHO, the EC should have re-stripped (???) the conductors if they had paint on the ends.
"Overspray" is not an NEC violation, unless the paint can cause damage to the conductor insulation.
Your other points:
Fixture grounding?; No, I don't carry a ladder on inspections either, and can't say I know of any inspector that does 'round here. Wouldn't be enough hours in the day if dropping fixtures. Catch one of the 'lectricians with a ladder, or if there's one "on site", I "pop" a few for a look-see.
We try for "quality" not "quantity" inspections, the "boss" looks for an average of 15 a day. (Rough, Final, CCO, Resi, Comm, Ind.; it don't matter).
John
