If you’re a contractor, you probably already know about the new requirements when you’re remodeling or renovating around lead paint. Homeowners working on their own residences are not bound by the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) law that goes into effect April 22, 2010.
The law requires renovation contractors, painters, and maintenance workers in multi-family housing, schools, and commercial buildings constructed prior to 1978 to receive training in working around lead paint. Even if you’re not a contractor, you are encouraged to take courses and learn the lead laws if you’re renovating or repairing rental properties that you own that may have lead paint.
I mentioned The Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) law in February, but wanted to remind professionals who are planning to work in pre-1978 buildings to find certification courses in their cities or states.
Remodeling Magazine says the RRP provisions will definitely be a “game changer” for those in the remodeling industry. Construction and renovation firms must send at least one professional on their staff to EPA-accredited classes to test for Certified Renovator (CR) designations.
Training to Comply with the Renovation Law
The magazine says that some 800,000 contractors will have to receive certifications to comply with the law. Remodeling or renovation projects that do not fall under the law include housing for elderly or disabled persons, unless a child under 6 years of age lives there; single-room dwellings without separate bedrooms; housing or school buildings constructed after 1978; and any housing already declared free of lead by certified inspectors.
If you’re a concerned homeowner, you can have a contractor perform a lead inspection, or do your own home lead test. If you count yourself among the professionals who are affected by the new law, you should contact the EPA for renovator or dust-sampling technician training courses.
The EPA is currently developing online testing in renovation and repair, as well as for lead-based paint abatement certifications. For English and Spanish versions of the abatement course, visit the EPA Course Site.
If you own rental property or a vacation home that was built prior to 1978, you may be required to produce documentation that any renovation work was performed under lead-safe work practices if it falls under EPA guidelines. If you’re in doubt, you can read the EPA requirements online.
That can definitely get pricey and have a baring on your time. It is already hard enough to make ends meet on jobs let alone taking a day or two to go most likely ‘learn’ how to properly do your job. It is safe though in the long run that we have safe and efficient homes.
Sounds like the additional training is similar in intent for that of mortgage loan officers and home appraisers. While perhaps a little inconvenient at the moment, the pride one takes in their profession and the knowledge they can share with their customers can be invaluable.
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Hey! just what we all need more goverment intrusion into the private sector while we struggle to make ends meet. more politicians lawyers and law enforcers turning neighbors and friends into big brothers. More BS.
Even though Senator Inhofe was successful in delaying the deadline on the new EPA Renovator Rules requirements for certification, there are even some more impacts to these regulations. For instance, and disturbance of any 1978 home surface of 6sf or greater will require additional testing and reporting after completion of the work. Additionally homeowners and real estate agents will be required to disclose and report on any lead situations in a home, before a sales transaction.
All of these costs which will be initially borne by the contractor will be passed down to the homeowner making even the smallest repairs a costly investment.
EPA commenting is open until July 6, 2010. A full analysis of the impact of these rulings is available at http://www.renovatorrules.com . Please read and let your congressman know how you feel.
Does the delay of parts of this law actually shock anyone? I am a subcontractor for one on the major retailers and I was told that as of the deadline for the law going into effect that if I was not trained my contract was going to end – I had no problems with one phone call I was able to find a training class which I completed. I will tell you that the worst problem was trying to get my hands on the LeadCheck lead test kits because this was the only company that certified renovators could buy the lead test kits from and use them for acceptable results. This seemed to be a little stinky to me that this whole program was put forward but only one company was able to supply the whole country (does this sound like a monopoly?) It was like a black market out there to get them and people were taking advantage of the people who needed them. I found that a really good place to get them was at LEADPAINTEPASUPPLIES.COM
This company treats their clients well and they are a no hassle supplier with quick shipment times