Posted by Dave Haines on Thu, Oct 22, 2009 @ 06:05 PM
Many of you may not be aware there are new regulations going into effect in April 2010 that will impact any contractor working on a house built prior to 1978. If you are working on such a building and disturb the paint, you will need to have a certified renovator on the job site.
On October 15, 2009, Dave Haines C.R. , of Haines Contracting Inc. attended a Bucks-Mont NARI sponsored class in training for and testing to become a Certified Lead Safe Renovator according to the new upcoming EPA Standards. The class covered instruction and hands on demonstrations on the proper ways to complete a renovation project in a lead safe manner. A test was given after the course in which Dave scored 100%.
The new ruling by the EPA covers any house built prior to 1978 in which over 6 SF of area is being disturbed, it should be done in a way to minimize the chances of lead exposure to the occupant. The contractor is also required to notify the owner & tenants with a booklet written by EPA called "Renovate Right". This booklets contains a lot of facts of the dangers of lead poisoning through exposure to lead dust. Lead was used in more than 38 million homes before it was banned from residential use in 1978.