Follow EPA lead-safety rules or possibly pay big bucks

Federal officials are reminding contractors to follow lead-safety rules or possibly face tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

Just about everyone who is paid to work on pre-1978 rental housing — where lead paint is presumed to be present — must provide specific disclosure pamphlets to tenants and be trained in lead-safe work practices.

The California Apartment Association has teamed up with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make sure all apartment owners, managers and maintenance personnel are following these federal regulations.

The EPA issued the regulations in 2008 as the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, and it took effect in 2010.

Now, the EPA is reiterating the importance of the rule. To sum it up, those who work on housing built before 1978 must be:

• Trained and certified as a renovator
• Using lead-safe work practices
• Keeping required records
• Making required disclosures
• Aware of a potential $37,500 penalty per violation

About the law

EPA’s 2008 Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (as amended in 2010 and 2011), aims to protect the public from lead-based paint hazards associated with renovation, repair and painting activities. These activities can create hazardous lead dust when surfaces with lead paint, even from many decades ago, are disturbed. The rule requires workers to be certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices and requires renovation, repair, and painting firms to be EPA-certified. These requirements became fully effective April 22, 2010.

Online

Information about renovating old buildings safely and legally:

CAA’s Issue Insight: Lead-Based Paint Renovation and Repair Disclosure, Training and Certification, and Safe Work Practice Requirements, with instructions

Family pamphlet: Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home

Disclosure form: Target Housing Disclosure of Renovation Activities

Disclosure pamphlet: Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools

EPA’s webpage on lead safety: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program

HUD guidelines: Resident Protection and Worksite Preparation

Lead renovator training from CAA: Course schedule through September throughout California

EPA is enforcing lead-safety rule: Settlements with 17 contractors topped $274K in penalties