It's the Law! Before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or twenty square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects built before 1978 - Renovators must be certified.

A mandatory lead painting and renovation certification is the latest requirement for certain contractors nationwide who will be working on projects where lead paint may be present.  In Nevada, this certification is in addition to requirements for mandatory OSHA training.  While the OSHA 10 and 30 training programs through the Builders Association of Northern Nevada continue, the EPA-certification will add another level of training on top of other requirements being mandated.
   These new rules, which will become effective in April, 2010, were created in order to prevent dangerous lead paint exposure, which can affect children’s brains and nervous systems and cause high blood pressure in adults.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all contractors to be EPA certified and to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination when working in homes and housing units, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978. 
   According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “Few subcontractors associated with home building and remodeling (including insulation and HVAC installers and others) are even aware of the Lead Renovation and Painting Rule that will govern remodeling activities in homes and child-occupied facilities built before 1978.  Those who are aware of it may assume it targets only professional remodelers, but this is not the case.  In fact, it applies to any contractor who “disturbs” at least six square feet of painted surface on the inside of a home or 20 square feet on the outside.  That means that contractors who install windows, insulation, home entertainment equipment or similar items in the target housing must become certified to do the work.”
   Information on the EPA’s website points out that the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program (RRP) includes pre-renovation education requirements as well as training, certification, and work practice requirements.  The Pre-renovation education requirements are currently in effect and require lead pamphlets to be distributed before starting any renovation work in facilities built before 1978.  Renovators and firms are required to be certified by completing a training course conducted by an EPA approved training firm.  Employees must be trained in the use of lead-safe work practices and must follow these specific practices which minimize occupants’ exposure to lead hazards. 
   Any activity that disturbs painted surfaces greater than 6 square feet per room inside or more than 20 square feet outside fall under this regulation.  Activities include most repair, remodeling, and  maintenance activities—including window replacement and building demolition.  Specific examples of activities include electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry, and window replacement, among others.  There are additional requirements for signage, recordkeeping, and record retention.  The RRP Rule and specific requirements are posted on EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead.  EPA has the right to inspect work sites, review records and reports and respond to complaints.  Enforcement action against a company that fails to comply with the RRP Rule could result in fines ranging from $5,000 to as high as $32,500 per violation, per day.

The Facts About Lead

• Lead can affect children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. Lead is also harmful to adults.
  
• Lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed to lead. People
  can also get lead in their bodies from lead in soil or paint chips. Lead dust is often invisible.
  
• Lead-based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.
  
• Projects that disturb lead-based paint can create dust and endanger you and your family. Don’t let this happen to you. Follow the practices described in this pamphlet to protect you and your family.

Where do We Find Lead?

Lead contaminants can be found in older homes containging lead paint or old pipes and pie sealants. Lead dust reisdues in soil from gasoline formualted with lead up until the mid 1980s.