EPA Drops Bombshell – Certify Or Face Monster Fines

Beginning April 22, 2010, paid contractors,

maintenance workers, painters and others performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in housing and other child- occupied facilities built before 1978 must be certified. (Child-occupied facilities are those where children under age six are present on a regular basis.) The rule applies to all interior projects involving more than 6 square feet, exterior projects of more than 20 square feet and all window replacement, maintenance or repair.

All farms that perform renovation, repair or painting work are required to be EPA certified.

Firms must also have at least one "certified renovator" on the job site where lead-based paint is disturbed. To become a certified renovator, an individual must successfully complete the Lead Certified Renovator Training course conducted by an EPA-accredited provider and pass the certification exam (where applicable). The full course is eight hours. Your certification is valid for five years from the date of completion of the course.

Any contractors, from plumbers to electricians to painters who disturbs lead paint while working in a pre-1978 home, school or day- care center now must be lead-safe certified If you 're not,you can face tens of thousand of dollars in fines1.

What Are Contractors Required To Do?

The rule requires that anyone doing renovation on targeted facilities obtain certification that evidences they are trained in the use of lead safe work practices and that they will follow specific work practices when performing the renovation. What this means to you is: (a) your company must receive certification, (b) a certified renovator must be assigned to each renovation of a covered facility; (c) all persons performing work on the project must receive on-the-job training by a certified renovator; (d) all renovations must be performed in accordance with the EPA work practice standards related to lead-based paint; (e) you must provide the owner and occupants of the property with an EPA pamphlet advising them of the lead hazards associated with renovation and obtain a signed certificate of receipt, and (f) you must keep records of compliance on all projects.

How and when does a contractor get certified?

Training programs will be approved by the EPA and will be available to contractors as early as April 2009. You can apply for certification as early as October 2009 and you MUST be certified by April 2010. After that date, you can't perform renovations to a targeted project unless you are certified. Certifications must be renewed every five years.

More information:

For more information you can visit the EPA website at
http://www. epa. gov/lead/pubs/Ieadinfo.htm#remodeling.

EPA Accredited Trainers in NYC

Register online or by phone at 800-501-9440 for EPA RRP Renovation Certification Classes in NYC and Long Island. Register Online>