|
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.
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, HUD and EPA recommend 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.
There are some
differences between the EPA RRP Rule and the HUD Lead Safe Housing Rule (LSHR).
A major difference is that the LSHR requires clearance examinations. All
housing receiving federal assistance must still comply with the LSHR. OHHLHC
provides Information on complying with the LSHR and RRP, and Frequently-asked
Questions from Grantees. Additional information for renovators is
available.
All
contractors should follow these three simple procedures
- Contain the work area.
- Minimize dust.
- Clean up thoroughly.
From December
2008, the rule has required that contractors performing renovation, repair and
painting projects that disturb lead-based paint provide to owners and occupants
of child care facilities and to parents and guardians of children under age six
that attend child care facilities built prior to 1978 the lead hazard
information pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for
Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (PDF) | en español
(PDF)
Starting on
April 22, 2010, the rule will affect paid renovators who work in
pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including:
- Renovation contractors
- Maintenance workers in
multi-family housing
- Painters and other specialty
trades.
Under the
rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or
commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular
basis. The requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities. The
rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than
six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then
20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window
replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.
Effective
Dates of the Rule
June 23,
2008
| |
Unaccredited renovator or dust sampling technician training programs
may not advertise or provide training leading to EPA certification
States,
Tribes, and Territories may begin to apply for authorization
Persons
performing renovations for compensation in pre-1978 child-occupied facilities
(e.g., child care facilities, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten classrooms)
must provide either Protect Your Family or Renovate Right to the owners and
occupants before beginning renovations
Modifications/exemptions to Pre-renovation Education Rule take effect:
(1) Minor
repair and maintenance exception changes to < 6 ft 2 per room for interiors,
20 ft2 for exteriors. To qualify, the project cannot involve the use of high
dust generating (“prohibited”) practices or window replacement.
(2) Emergency renovations specifically include interim controls performed in
response to an elevated blood lead level in a child.
(3) Persons performing renovations for compensation in pre-1978 housing may use
either Protect Your Family or Renovate Right to comply with the existing
requirement to provide a lead hazard information pamphlet to the owners and
occupants of target (pre-1978) housing before beginning renovations
|
December
22, 2008
| |
Persons performing renovations for compensation in target (pre-1978)
housing or child-occupied facilities must provide Renovate Right to the owners
and occupants before beginning renovations
|
April 22,
2009
| |
Training providers may begin applying to EPA for accreditation to
provide renovator or dust sampling technician training
Persons
seeking certification as renovators or dust sampling technicians may take
accredited training as soon as it is available
|
October 22,
2009
| |
Firms may begin applying to EPA for certification to conduct
renovations
|
April 22,
2010
| |
Renovations in target (pre-1978) housing and child-occupied facilities
must be conducted by certified renovation firms, using renovators with
accredited training, and following the work practice requirements of the
rule
|
More information
can be found on the EPA's website.
Click here.
More Information
can be found on HUD's website.
Click here.
Contact us
at (707) 433-7752
|
