EPA’s Lead Rule for Renovation, Repair, and Painting |
Anyone working in the construction industry should be aware that common renovation activities conducted in older homes may create lead dust, that if improperly handled may present a health hazard to occupants in the building. The U.S. EPA, in April of last year, passed a rule affecting construction contractors who perform renovation, repair or painting of pre-1978 housing. 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.”
The rule also requires that beginning in December 2008, renovators who disturb lead paint in child care facilities built prior to 1978 need to provide the lead hazard information pamphlet entitled, Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools to the owners and occupants of the facilities, and to the parents and guardians of children under age six that attend these facilities.
Beginning in April 2010, contractors working on pre-1978 housing and child-occupied residential and commercial facilities will have to complete a lead safe work practices training course, and use safe work practices when conducting renovation, repair and painting. The rule applies to renovation contractors, painters and other specialty trades and to maintenance workers in multifamily housing.
BrightFields is currently developing curriculum to be a certified provider for the contractor safety training required under this regulation. We plan to begin training courses in the fall of 2009.
Please contact Matt Jones (mjones AT brightfieldsinc . com) for further information.