The Environmental Protection Agency has enacted a brand new law that is going to affect the majority of remodelers in this country. It was passed into law in April 2008. The law went into affect and is now enforceable as of April 2010.
It applies to a new lead law. If any contractor does maintenace work in a structure that is older than 1978, they must be lead certified.
The way the rule reads is that if any remodeler does any maintenance work that will disrupt any painted area they must be certified.
This applies to interior and exterior of any building.
Any repair done on a building that was constructed before to 1978 is assumed to have lead based paint. Disturbing that paint leads to toxic dust to be released into the air and makes people unhealthy, especially children.
This rule is really meant to protect the children.
EPA certification is required by any repairman to avoid serious fines. The fines start at $32,500 per occurrence. There could be criminal charges imposed if the violation is perceived to be willful.
There are certain classes that you can get your EPA certification. Only certain trainers are accredited by the Environmental Protection Agency.
It is one 8 hour class that you have to sit through. The certification is then good for 4 years and a refresher course must be taken. This refresher permits the opportunity for the EPA to find new ways to deal with the lead paint removal and cleanup.
The course time investment is not a huge deal considering the 4 year time frame on the certification. It is also not a bad way to invest your time to avoid the huge fines imposed by the EPA.
The firm who gets certified then must have some of their employees get certified as well. The law reads that a certified person must do the actual work or be on site and supervise the work being done when lead paint is handled and worked with.
Even if you are not a painter or considered a painter on a jobsite does not mean you do not have to comply. Any work done on a building and you must have your certification.
Do your research and find out more about the EPA certification online.
Find a class, take it, get your certification and move on with working. You will be complying with federal law, avoiding huge fines and helping to keep the public safe. Especially the children.
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