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The RRP Rule
Common
renovation activities like sanding, cutting, and
demolition can
create hazardous lead dust and chips by disturbing
lead-based paint,
which can be harmful to adults and children.
On
April 22, 2008, EPA issued a
rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other
actions
aimed at preventing lead poisoning. Under the rule,
beginning in
April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and
painting
projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child
care facilities,
and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must
follow
specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Until that
time, HUD and EPA recommend that anyone performing
renovation, repair,
and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in
pre-1978
homes, child care facilities and schools follow lead-safe
work practices.
There
are some differences between the EPA RRP Rule and the HUD
Lead Safe
Housing Rule (LSHR). A major difference is that the LSHR
requires
clearance examinations. All housing receiving federal
assistance
must still comply with the LSHR. OHHLHC provides
Information on
complying with
the LSHR and RRP, and Frequently-asked
Questions from Grantees. Additional information
for renovators is available.
All
contractors should follow these three simple procedures:
- Contain the work area.
- Minimize dust.
- Clean up thoroughly.
From
December 2008, the rule has required that contractors
performing
renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb
lead-based
paint provide to owners and occupants of child care
facilities and
to parents and guardians of children under age six that
attend child
care facilities built prior to 1978 the lead hazard
information
pamphlet Renovate
Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families,
Child Care
Providers, and Schools (PDF) | en
español (PDF)
As of April 22, 2010, the rule will apply to owners, realtors, property
managers, and renovators
who work
in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied non-housing facilities,
including:
- Renovation contractors
- Maintenance workers in multi-family housing
- Painters, electricians, HVAC, plumbers and other specialty trades.
Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as
residential,
public or commercial buildings where children under age six
are present
on a regular basis. The requirements apply to renovation,
repair or
painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor
maintenance
or repair activities where less than six square feet of
lead-based
paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square
feet of
lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window
replacement
is not minor maintenance or repair.
For additional
information on becoming an EPA-certified renovator, call John Adams at 404-997-2278 or visit www.renovate99.com.
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Lead Based Paint Information