Announcements
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
EPA Requirements
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.
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 in April 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.
Until that time, EPA recommends that anyone performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe work practices.
All contractors should follow these three simple procedures:
- Contain the work area.
- Minimize dust.
- Clean up thoroughly
Facts About Lead
The EPA RPP is designed to protect the customer, mainly children, from lead exposure. It is good business practice to protect our customers and employees during the renovation process.- Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.
- Lead in dust it the most common way people are exposed to lead. People can also get lead in their bodies from lead in soil or paint chips. Lead dust is often invisible.
- Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.
Step One
Go to the EPA website and familiarize yourself with the rule and the impact on your business.
Step Two
Apply to the EPA to be a Certified to Conduct Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation. There is a $300 fee per business for this certification.
Step Three
Schedule training with an EPA Certified Trainer for the one-day training. At least one person in your business must be trained and certified. All other employees who work with lead-based paint, must be trained on-the-job by the Certified Renovator in your business. The Certified Renovator must be present. Understanding the responsibilities of the Certified Renovator will help you determine who should be trained. The Certified Renovator Responsibilities are as follows:
- Perform work and direct lead-safe work practices.
- Provide on-the-job training to non-certified workers.
- Keep a copy of the initial and/or refresher training certificates onsite. •Use EPA-recognized test kits to identify lead-based paint.
- Be physically present while posting signs, containing work areas, and cleaning work areas.
- Be available by telephone when off-site.
- Maintain the containment to keep dust and debris within the work area.
- Implement the cleaning verification procedure.
- Prepare and maintain required records.
A schedule for training in the Richmond Area can be found below. The EPA website has a list of certified trainers.
Step Four
When the Certified Renovator Training is complete in your business, implement the new EPA practices in your business immediately. Don’t wait until April 22nd. Implementing the safe lead practices now will ensure that you and all of your team are in compliance by April 22.
Step Five
Study the OSHA Rules on Lead to protect your employees. The EPA Rule is designed to protect your customer, mainly children. OSHA rules are designed to protect your team.
Step Six
Tell your customers and prospective customers. You are following these rules because it protects the customer; so let them know about it. Make this a selling point and something that will set you apart from the untrained contractor. Give every customer a copy of the EPA brochure, Renovate Right.
Step Seven
Train and retrain. Appoint someone in your business that is responsible for the retraining of this rule. Paperwork trails should be double-checked on a regular basis. All Certified Renovators must be retrained every five years. Make this training and practice a part of your everyday business practices.
EPA Certified Renovator Training Schedule
VCU James Monroe Building
101 North 14th St, Conf. Room #
Cost $200
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
3/26/2010
check website for additional dates.
Conner Institute
No classes in Richmond currently schedule. Check Conner website for updates.
UPAL
Training Center
4908 Old Warwick Rd
Cost: $200
9:00 am - 5:00 pm Wednesdays thru June 2010
308-1518
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