EPA’s NEW LEAD RENOVATION, REPAIR,
AND SAFETY RULE
Beginning April 2010, companies that do any construction, remodeling or installation on work inside homes built before 1978 are going to be required to be certified and use lead-safe work practices. A partial list of contractors affected by the regulation include carpenters, HVAC, electricians, plumbers, and painters.
Renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and demolition which disturbs old lead based paints can create hazardous lead dust and chips, which can be harmful to occupants of the house both children and adults as well as the contractors doing the work.
If you do almost any kind of construction or installation work inside homes or child occupied facilities built before 1978, you need to know about the EPA's new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule.
The two main components of the Rule are that beginning in April 2010, firms working in pre-1978 homes will need to be certified. Along with firm certification, an employee will also need to be certified as a Certified Renovator
The responsibilities of a certified firm ensure that: 1. All individuals performing activities that disturb painted surfaces on behalf of the firm are either certified renovators or have been trained by a certified renovator. 2. A certified renovator is assigned to each renovation and performs all of the certified renovator responsibilities. 3. All renovations performed by the firm are performed in accordance with the work practice standards of the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program. 4. Pre-renovation education requirements of the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program are performed. 5. The program's recordkeeping requirements are met. Firms may begin applying for certification beginning October 22, 2009. To obtain a copy of the "Application for Firms" contact the NLIC at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323). The cost for firm certification is $300 and renewable every five years.
A certified renovator must successfully complete an eight-hour initial training course, including two hours of hands on training, offered by an accredited training provider. The course completion certificate serves as proof of certification. Renovators are required to be certified by April 22, 2010.
The Responsibilities of a Certified Renovator are: 1. When requested by the homeowner, must use a test kit accepted by EPA to determine whether components to be affected by the renovation contain lead-based paint. 2. Provide on-the-job-training to workers on the work practices they will be using in performing their assigned tasks. 3. They are to be physically present at the work site when warning signs are posted, while the work-area containment is being established, and while the work-area cleaning is performed 4. Must regularly direct work being performed by other individuals to ensure that the work practices are being followed, including maintaining the integrity of the containment barriers and ensuring that dust or debris does not spread beyond the work area. 5. Be available, either on-site or by telephone, at all times renovations are being conducted 6. They must perform project cleaning verification. 7. They must have with them at the work site copies of their initial course completion certificate and their most recent refresher course completion certificate. 8. They must prepare required records. The training curriculum for the Certified Renovator is currently under development by the EPA. As of now the training will consist of an 8 hour class with 2 hours of hands on training.
Certifications of the firm and renovator will be valid for 5 years; at the end of that 5 year period the Certified Renovator will be required to take a four hour refresher course for recertification.
For a complete listing of lead abatement products available from Professional Equipment follow the attached link.
www.ProfessionalEquipment.com | 
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