Lead paint removal regulations keep consumers safe from lead poisoning.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s rules regarding lead were designed to help protect people from toxic lead dust fumes stirred up during renovations, including the paint removal process. The regulations went into effect on April 22, 2010. These rules apply to renovations in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978.
Certification and Training Requirements
All renovation firms, regardless of size, are required to be EPA-certified in order to perform lead paint removal work on pre-1978 facilities. There must be at least one certified renovator assigned with oversight authority over each job involving lead paint removal. To be certified, a contractor must take an 8-hour training course from an EPA-approved training provider.
Responsibilities of a Certified Renovator
Certified renovators must use an EPA-approved lead test kit when testing for lead-based paint on painted surfaces and components being disturbed. They must provide on-the-job training to other workers on the work practices they will be using, be physically present at the job site when warning signs are posted, while work-area containment is being established and while work-area cleaning is being performed. Renovators who oversee the work of employees must regularly direct work being performed by others to ensure compliance with work practice standards. Certified renovators must also perform project cleaning verification and maintain required records to demonstrate training in lead-safe work practices and the following of lead-safe work practices on the job.
Contractor Recordkeeping Requirements
EPA requires that documents must be retained for at least 3 years following completion of a regulated renovation, repair or painting activity. This includes reports certifying that lead-based paint is not present, records relating to the distribution of the lead pamphlet ("Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools"), any signed and dated statements from owner-occupants that the requirements do not apply to their location, and documentation of compliance with the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program rules.
Property Owner Requirements
According to the EPA, property owners who perform renovation, repairs and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must, before beginning work, provide owners, tenants and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet. After April 22, 2010, property owners who perform lead paint removal projects in pre-1978 rental housing or space rented by child-care facilities must be certified and must follow the lead-safe work practices required by EPA's Renovation, Repair and Remodeling rule.
Exemptions
EPA has authorized several states to administer their own RRP programs which will operate in lieu of the EPA regulations. As of June 2010, these states are Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, Rhode Island, Utah and Oregon.
If you are a homeowner doing renovations yourself, the regulations do not apply. However, if you suspect there is lead in your home, it is recommended to have the home tested for lead and to hire a professional contractor to do the work, as lead is extremely hazardous to health.
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