The New EPA “Renovation, Repair and Painting” (RRP) program
As of April 22nd any renovation or painting companies working on homes older than 1978 will be required to comply with a number of requirements set out by a new EPA program. The program is part of enforcing the 1992 EPA lead law. Thomas Buckborough & Associates is now a registered “Lead Safe Certified Firm”, in addition we have two “Certified Renovators” on staff. Here are the highlights of the new program:
- Contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must, before beginning work, provide owners, tenants, and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA’s lead hazard information pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools
- Contractors must take training to learn how to perform lead-safe work practices and become “Certified Renovators”.
- After April 22, 2010, federal law will require contractors to be certified and to use lead-safe work practices. To become certified, renovation contractors must submit an application and fee payment to EPA.
- Provide a copy of your EPA or state lead training certificate to your client.
- Tell your client what lead-safe methods you will use to perform the job.
- Learn the lead laws that apply to you regarding certification and lead-safe work practices beginning in April 22nd, 2010.
- Ask your client to share the results of any previously conducted lead tests.
- Provide your client with references from at least three recent jobs involving homes built before 1978.
- Keep records to demonstrate that you and your workers have been trained in lead-safe work practices and that you followed lead-safe work practices on the job.
