Contractors Have More Time to Receive RRP Training for Lead Paint

   On April 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a regulation called the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) which has now been pushed back to the first of October. This rule states that any contractor performing work that will disturb paint in a home, school, or child care facility which was built before 1978, must be certified and follow specific work procedures to prevent lead contamination.

   Lead is a neurotoxin that is poisonous to humans, especially young children that can affect every organ in the body. Exposure to lead dust can lead to lower intelligence, learning disabilities, and even behavioral issues in children. Adults exposed to lead may develop minor or major nervous system problems that in rare cases can even cause death. The best way to prevent the exposure to harmful toxins from lead based paint is to contain the work area, minimize dust, and clean up thoroughly every day.

   The EPA now requires contractors, who perform activities that disturb painted surfaces in homes and child-occupied facilities which are built before 1978, to take an 8 hour training course to learn safe working practices when dealing with lead paint. The new deadline for this regulation says that companies must obtain this certification by October 1, 2010, by completing all the needed paperwork, Contractors must also be enrolled by September 30, 2010 to receive the training by the end of this year. This delay comes because congressional and industry leaders complained about not having enough trainers to conduct the training, as well as about not having enough time to fill out the paperwork required to prove a company is using lead safe working practices. The EPA is trying to implement another regulation dealing with renovations. This regulation includes a mandatory dust wipe test for lead paint after renovation is completed.

July 2010