If you are working in a home or child-occupied facility built before 1978, you are required to provide information about lead-based paint to occupants and owners of homes, and owners and parents of child-occupied facilities. This notification MUST be done prior to any work being started.
Beginning in April 2010, renovation, repair and painting contractors must be certified and use lead safe work practices when working in homes built before 1978.
For more information, call 404-997-2278.
This section summarizes requirements of EPA’s Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program Rule for contractors, and provides guidance to homeowners/occupants, so that each may learn to properly address lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities.
The RRP rule affects contractors, property managers and others who disturb known or presumed lead-based paint during renovation. The term renovation covers all activities done for compensation that disturb painted surfaces including most repair, remodeling and maintenance activities, such as window replacement, weatherization and demolition. The RRP rule applies to all renovation work performed in residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities such as schools and day-care centers built before 1978.
Those affected by the RRP rule should read the complete rule, which is available on EPA’s Web site at:
www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.
Training, certification, and work practice requirements in the Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule became effective April 22, 2010. Pre-renovation education requirements are also in effect now.
Requirements for Renovation Contractors Include:
Certification and Training Requirements
* All firms performing renovation, repair or painting work must become certified. This can be accomplished by applying to EPA or to the State, if it has an EPA-authorized renovation program, and paying a fee.
* Firms must have one or more “Certified Renovators” assigned to jobs where lead-based paint is disturbed. To become certified, a renovator must successfully complete an EPA or State-approved training course conducted by an EPA or State-accredited training provider.
* All renovation workers must be trained. Renovation workers can be trained on-the-job by a Certified Renovator to use lead safe work practices, or they can become Certified Renovators themselves.
Pre-Renovation Education Requirements
* Contractors, property managers and others who perform renovations for compensation in residential houses, apartments, and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 are required to distribute EPA’s Renovate Right lead hazard information pamphlet before starting renovation work to occupants and owners of homes, and owners and parents of child-occupied facilities.
Work Practice Requirements
| Renovators must use work-area containment to prevent dust and debris from leaving the work area.
| Certain work practices are prohibited. Open-flame burning, using heat guns at greater than 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit and the use of power tools without high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) exhaust control (to collect dust generated) are prohibited.
| Thorough cleaning followed by a cleaning verification procedure to minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards are required.
| Generally, minor repair and maintenance activities (less than 6 square feet per interior room or 20 square feet per exterior project)
are exempt from the work practices requirements. However, this exemption does not apply to jobs involving window replacement or demolition, or that involve the use of any of the prohibited practices listed above.
OPT-OUT Provision Removed
As originally implemented on April 22, 2010, the RRP required certification and work practice requirements did not apply where the firm obtains a signed statement from the owner that all of the following conditions were met:
| The renovation will occur in the owner’s residence;
| No child under age 6 resides there;
| No woman who is pregnant resides there;
| The housing is not a child-occupied facility; and,
| The owner acknowledges that the renovation firm will not be required to use the work practices contained in the rule.
However, the OPT-OUT Provision for owner-occupants has been removed and is no longer an option under the rule.
Homeowners Working in Their Own Homes
The RRP rule applies only to renovations performed for compensation. If you work on your own home, the rules do not apply. Even so, EPA encourages homeowners to use lead safe work practices, in order to protect themselves, their families, and the value of their homes.
Landlords Working in Their Own Property
Landlords receive rental payments and maintenance personnel in rental property or child-occupied facilities receive wages or salaries derived from rent payments. This is considered compensation under the RRP rule. Therefore, renovation and repair activities performed by landlords or employees of landlords are covered by the rule. Work performed by landlords or their employees in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities must be performed using lead safe work practices, if lead-based paint or presumed lead-based paint is disturbed.
Training services provided by Seagull Environmental Management Co, Inc.
Courses are approved for purposes of certification under Section 402 of TSCA for the Certified Renovator. American Renovator Training LLC