Lead Paint. It Was Always Dangerous, Now It Can Cost You Tens Of Thousand Per Day.

EPA is looking out for us again

EPA is looking out for us again. You may like this, you may not; there are likely good points on all side. But regardless, that lead paint we used for so long in the past is haunting us once again. And believe me, the EPA means business. Owners and Contractors alike must know the new laws. It must be addressed, whether you have a "green program" or not.

The new ruling is referred to as the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP). Common renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition can create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing lead-based paint, which can be harmful to adults and children. On March 31, 2008, EPA issued a new rule aimed at protecting children from lead-based paint hazards (79 pp, 847K). The rule requires contractors and construction professionals that work in pre-1978 housing or child-occupied facilities to follow lead-safe work practice standards to reduce potential exposure to dangerous levels of lead for children in places they frequent. To protect against this risk, on April 22, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule, beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

This also affects Property Owners. Rental property owners who engage in renovating, repairing, or preparing surfaces for painting in pre-1978 rental housing or in space rented by child-care facilities must, before beginning work, provide tenants with a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet Renovate Right- Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF). It is the responsibility of the owners of rental properties to document compliance with this requirement; this can be downloaded in PDF format.

This is in effect right now, Folks. The RRP (Renovation, Repair and Remodeling) rules apply to contractors and to owner both.

A property owner can become certified using the application for firm certification (PDF) plus (of course) a fee payment to EPA. The Agency has up to 90 days after receiving a complete request for certification to approve or disapprove the application. Property owners who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs themselves (and in today's economy more and more owners are doing their own repairs) should also consider:

1. Get training on how to work safely with lead paint.

2. Do the record keeping, which is required, to prove that they are taking the right steps.

Bottom line, this is mighty important to know. Ignoring the new rules can lead to fines of up to $37,500 per day!!!

If you, like me, are facing your continuing education as a contractor,, then this is an excellent time to get this training. As an Engineer Designer this is not required for me, but as a contractor, who owns a daycare and occasionally does work on older buildings, I better get cracking.

Anyway, I wanted to make sure my contractor and owner friends are aware of this important new conditions.

by: Ken Risley

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