proActive Safety Services

EPA Enforcement Alert

EPA Enforcement Alert Issued for Lead Based Paint Renovations

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ProActiveSafety
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An EPA Enforcement alert has been released. The EPA enforcement alert is for contractors and property managers working in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. What did we learn through the EPA enforcement alert?

What did we learn?

  1. The Environmental Protection Agency wants contractors and property managers to be aware. The recent enforcement actions highlight that failure to comply with the RRP Rule can result in civil and criminal penalties.
  2. Furthermore, General Contractors must hire subcontractors that are certified firms.
  3. In addition, every certified firm must employ at least one certified renovator.
  4. That you shouldn’t let your certification lapse! A lot of the violations issued pertained to certifications expiring and work occuring after expiration.
  5. A Chicago company has to perform 2 million dollars in lead abatement work! The order was the result of several RRP rule violations. Including violations in child-occupied facilities.
  6. An Indiana man received a 16-month federal prison sentence for RRP rule violations. Furthermore, his son received community service.
  7. That there is no safe level of lead exposure!
  8. Companies that violate the RRP Rule put children and families at risk to major health complications.
  9. Eventually, the EPA will identify RRP rule violators.

A major complaint we hear from contractors. “It is too expensive to comply with the RRP rule”. There is a cost to setting up containment, cleaning, and personal protective equipment. As a result, it’s important to find ways to complete the renovation without creating dust! For interior renovations consider using shaving cream where you will disturb. Furthermore, you can use spray bottles, HEPA tools, and citrus based paint strippers to avoid creating dust. In addition, for exterior renovations. You have an arsenal of chemicals, HEPA tools, and the ability to use pump sprayers and spray bottles to mitigate the creation of dust.

As a result, to register for the EPA RRP Initial or Refresher courses click here! To apply for your firm certification, click here!

Finally, if you have any questions about the EPA enforcement alert, or how to register for the training class. Please email sales@pasafety.com.