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New Lead Safety Rules - How the Rules Affect Painters
October 27, 2009
Effective April 22, 2010, if you are working for compensation on a project that
will disturb paint in a home, school or childcare facility built prior to 1978,
you must comply with the new lead safety regulations, including:
- Painting and property management firms must be EPA-certified and their employees
must be trained in the sue of lead-safe work practices. Painting and maintenance
work must be performed in accordance with the EPA Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair
and Painting Program standards.
- You must provide the building owners and residents with a specific new EPA lead hazard pamphlet.
- You must post lead hazard signs around the property.
- You must follow EPA-mandated lead-safe work practices such as detailed dust containment measures and clean-up and waste disposal procedures.
- You must maintain written documentation of your lead-safe practices in accordance with EPA specifications.
- For complete details on how the rules affect you, be sure to visit the EPA website (www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm)
and download the brochure titled "Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right: EPA's Lead-based Paint, Renovation, Repair and Painting Program."
How to get ready:
Here are the three suggested action steps that a professional painting contractor
can start taking now:
- Learn more about the new EPA Lead Rule by visiting the EPA lead website at www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
or by calling the National Lead Information Center at (800) 424-5323 to have an
information pamphlet sent to you.
- Get certified by attending an 8-hour EPA-accredited training course and paying a
fee ranging from $310 to $870, depending on your work position. A list of accredited
training providers is available at the above EPA website or by calling the National
Lead Information Center.
- Follow the lead rules, effective no later than April 22, regarding resident notification,
lead-safe work practices, clean-up procedures and documentation and record keeping.
More info online at:
www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm or call National Lead Information Center
(800)
424-5323.
*Source: Professional Painting Contractor Magazine Fall 2009 issue