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New Lead Safety Rules - How the Rules Affect Painters

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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