Contractors doing renovations on buildings built before 1978 and where children frequent (pre-1978-built homes, day- care facilities, schools, etc.) are now required to be certified by the state and must perform lead-safe work. In addition, all workers on such job sites must be properly trained to be lead-safe renovators.
Effective April 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, childcare facilities and schools built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
EPA’s Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) program was established in April 2008 and will affect renovation contractors, maintenance workers in multifamily housing and painters and other specialty trades that disturb an area of 6 or more feet containing lead paint. Under the program, both firms and individual employees now need to be certified to work on projects that contain lead paint.
The original rule implementing the RRP program included an opt-out provision that exempted contractors from the rule if the owner of the building or home certified that no child under the age of 6 or pregnant women reside in the home and it is not a child-occupied facility. However, EPA published a proposed change to the program in October 2009 that would eliminate the opt-out provision. The rule defines child-occupied facilities as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age 6 are present on a regular basis.
EPA began processing applications for lead-safe certification in October. Firms can become certified by completing an application and sending in a fee payment. Applications may take up to 90 days to be approved by EPA. Individual renovation contractors must complete an EPA-accredited training course in order to receive certification. Certified lead abatement contractors with previous training may qualify for a shortened refresher course. To locate an accredited training program, visit http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_training.htm.
Additional information:
Source: Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.
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