Archive for the 'EPA Lead Rule' Category

EPA RRP Lead Rule Updates from NARI

Published January 3, 2013 EPA Lead Rule Leave a Comment
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National Lumber would like to share these EPA RRP Lead Rule updates from the NARI On the Hill Newsletter:

“EPA leaning on non-certified firms”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule became effective in 2010. Since that time, more than 100,000 firms have been lead-safe certified by EPA, and an additional 20,000 have been certified in 12 authorized states. Approximately 450,000 renovators have been trained in lead-safe work practices. However, EPA recognizes that too many firms are still operating without the required certification, are not following lead-safe work practices and may be putting children and others at risk for lead exposure.

In November 2012, EPA announced 16 enforcement actions for violations of the RRP rule and EPA continues to conduct compliance monitoring inspections and outreach to protect children, and others, from exposure to lead dust that can cause lead poisoning. To increase lead safety and awareness of the regulation, EPA is mailing a postcard to non-certified renovation contractors in target areas, including states that lack an EPA-authorized RRP program and have significant amounts of older housing. EPA’s goal is to remind these contractors of their obligation to become certified. In addition, EPA wants to level the playing field for those contractors who are already certified.

EPA has specifically targeted non-certified contractors for this mailing and made best efforts to exclude certified contractors. However, a small number of these postcards may inadvertently reach already certified contractors. If you are already a certified firm, EPA thanks you for your attention to this regulation and for your efforts to protect your clients and your community. If you receive EPA’s postcard, please disregard it or pass it on to your competitors who are not certified.

Click here to see an example of the postcard.

EPA considers LRRP for commercial buildings

EPA is currently in the process of determining whether renovation, repair, and painting activities on public and commercial buildings might also create lead-based paint hazards. For those activities that do create lead-based paint hazards, EPA intends to develop certification, training, and work practice requirements as directed by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

EPA has opened a comment period through April 1, 2013.

Periodically, National Lumber holds RRP training and certification courses at our Mansfield, MA store location. If you are interested, please join our email list or visit our events page for more information.

National Lumber
www.national-lumber.com

National Lumber and Contractor Education: “Perfect Partners”

Published January 3, 2012 EPA Lead Rule , Events Leave a Comment
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We run a very comprehensive training program for our contractor customers at National Lumber and will continue to do so. The program started in full swing when the new Repair, Remodel and Paint programs were first being implemented in early 2010. We have always tried to fit in some training in the past, but never as in-depth since the RRP (lead paint program) started. There seemed to be so much confusion over what it would all mean and how it would affect our customers that we saw a great need as did many others in the industry.

We decided to host and sponsor a series of seminars from that situation but new rules and regulations have just kept “popping up” ever since then. New OSHA regulations and fall protection requirements, updates to RRP and the Mass. DOS entry into the program, Energy Star programs, new International Code changes, stretch energy code updates for Massachusetts cities and towns, and the “Granddaddy” of them all, the new Contractor Supervisor’s License requirements for Continuing Education Credits! How were our customers going to manage all of this and still run their businesses?

In addition to the trade organizations and private training firms, we felt that it was our duty to assist our thousands of remodelers, builders, developers, painters and many others on our customer lists. We are now the largest lumber chain provider of contractor training in the Northeast with over 20 full or partial day classes having been held or scheduled through January and February 2012. With many more programs planned in the future, we will continue to host these programs throughout 2012.

We want our customers to know that we do this as a service and do not benefit financially from these programs. We feel that the effort we expend to run these programs is for the benefit of our customers (and any non-customers who would like to attend). If there are any folks out there that would like be added to our mailing lists of upcoming programs please sign-up for our email list, giving us your permission to send you our event updates.

Note that any costs associated with these classes are paid to the trainers directly to compensate them for their time, trainers and materials costs and for them to keep your certification records. If any further questions, please feel free to contact me. Steve Linsky, National Lumber’s Contractor Education Coordinator at slinsky@national-lumber.com.

Breaking News: House Committee Votes to Stop EPA Lead Rule Enforcement Without Reliable Test Kit

Published July 13, 2011 EPA Lead Rule , News 1 Comment
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There’s big news in the building industry today as Congress voted in favor of an NLBMDA-approved amendment that will stop EPA Lead Rule enforcement until a reliable test kit is found and approved. Right now, many test kits on the market are returning as high as 60 percent false positives, costing too many contractors and homeowners alike time and money. This will also help buy more time for many more contractors to get EPA Lead Safe certified. It’s still best to practice lead-safe procedures, but for now, the EPA will not be handing out any fines.

Read the official release from the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA).

EM-NARI Attends Hearing Encouraging Assistance with RRP Rule in Massachusetts

Published December 22, 2010 EPA Lead Rule , News Leave a Comment
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Below is a link in follow-up to the recent RRP Hearing held on December 16.  EM-NARI members Shawn McCadden and Mark Paskell both attended to encourage adequate funding for the Department of Safety to administer and enforce the RRP rule in Massachusetts.

http://www.shawnmccadden.com/rrpedia/bid/51617/EM-NARI-Attends-Hearing-Encourages-Assistance-with-RRP-Rule-in-MA

Happy Holidays!

Contractors: Don’t Forget Your Massachusetts Lead-Safe Licensing Waiver

Published October 7, 2010 EPA Lead Rule , Remodeling 1 Comment
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Important reminder! If your company was certified before July 9, 2010 under the federal EPA RRP rule, you are entitled to a waiver of the Massachusetts state certification for the first 5 years (coincidental with the EPA certificate date) but you must fill out the form from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You can find the form right here: Lead Safe Renovation Contractor Licensing Waiver

If you are working on pre-1978 homes in Massachusetts, you MUST have the MA certification or waiver. Filling out the waiver form along with providing proof of EPA RRP certification will save you $375. Fill it out now and get it in the mail.

This will also quickly get you certified in the Massachusetts Department of Occupational Safety’s Lead-Safe Renovation program. Another important aspect is that you will be listed on the Massachusetts Currently Licensed Lead-Safe Contractors List. Homeowners are checking this list when looking for contractors.

National Lumber has all the tools and supplies you need to help comply with the new lead-safe renovation rules. Visit or call your local National Lumber store today to see how we can help you.

“Red Means Lead” – LeadCheck For Drywall and Plaster

Published September 1, 2010 EPA Lead Rule , Helpful Hints , News Leave a Comment
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LeadCheck of Natick, MA logo

LeadCheck of Natick, MA

LeadCheck of Natick, MA has just announced that the EPA has recognized them and their products indefinite recognition for compliance with the RRP law. In a few weeks, they will have this recognition for testing for plaster and drywall, a very important place to check for lead paint. In the meantime, please check out the new technique and instructions on how to test for lead paint using the LeadCheck kits. Remember, “Red Means Lead!”

Additionally, LeadCheck now has a call center with EPA RRP Lead Safe certified pros that can answer any questions about not only LeadCheck, but about the entire rule in general.  The number is: 1-800-262-LEAD

LeadCheck lead testing kits are sold at our National Lumber retail locations. Please call or check out your local store for details.

Massachusetts Contractors – MA RRP Licensing Waiver

Published August 20, 2010 EPA Lead Rule Leave a Comment
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Important notice! If you have your Federal EPA certification for your company already, then you are entitled to a waiver of the first 5 years (coincidental with the EPA certificate date) of the MA state certification by filling out the form from the State of Massachusetts. This will save you $375 and will quickly get you certified for the Massachusetts DOS program on the RRP rule. Fill it out now and get it in the mail. You can find the form right here: Lead Safe Renovation Contractor Licensing Waiver

EPA Launches Lead Awareness Campaign

Published July 16, 2010 EPA Lead Rule , News Leave a Comment
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New EPA Rule: All Contractor Need to Get Lead-Safe Certified

Used by permission from the EPA

If You’re Not Lead-Safe Certified, Lead Paint Could Cost You Big Time.

Think lead paint doesn’t affect your business? Think again.

A new rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that all renovation and repair contractors working in pre-1978 homes, schools, and day care centers who disrupt more than six square feet of lead paint are required to become EPA Certified in lead-safe work practices. Contractors are required to take a one-day training course and firms must send a short application to the EPA. If not, they could face tens of thousands of dollars in fines in the future.

Steve Owens, Assistant Administrator of the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said there is a simple reason for the new rule: protecting people’s health, especially children.

“Childhood lead poisoning is a preventable disease, and our goal is to
eliminate it,” said Steve Owens.

Many contractors think the issue of lead paint poisoning went away years ago, or that they are doing all that needs to be done to avoid it. In fact, new research shows that contractors like plumbers, electricians, painters and window replacement experts can inadvertently expose children to harmful levels of lead from invisible dust disturbed during jobs they perform every day.

Firms must register with the EPA and pay a fee. Individuals must take a one-day training course from an EPA-accredited training provider to become a certified renovator. Certification is good for five years.

Steve Owens said that the EPA is mindful of the small added costs that may result from complying with this important rule. To that end, he said the EPA is launching a consumer campaign designed to raise awareness of the dangers of lead paint poisoning, and encourage consumers to choose only  contractors who are Lead-Safe Certified. For additional information including how your firm can get Lead-Safe Certified and where to find an EPA-accredited trainer in your area, visit epa.gov/getleadsafe or call 800-424-LEAD today.

***

Your local National Lumber store has all of the supplies you need to protect yourself and your clients. You can find the checklist for everything you need right here: EPA RRP Equipment & Supplies Checklist (PDF)

EPA Delays Enforcement of Lead Paint Rule Until Oct 1, 2010

Published June 22, 2010 Building Industry , EPA Lead Rule , News 3 Comments
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National Lumber is pleased to pass along the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) announcement that the EPA has decided to delay enforcement on the lead paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule until October 1, 2010, to make time for all remodelers, electricians, painters, and other contractors to become certified.

From the NAHB press release:

“While remodelers, electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians and other contractors must adhere to lead-safe work practices, including special equipment filters and a ban on open flames, EPA will not take enforcement action against firms that have been unable to obtain certification until Oct. 1 of this year.

Individual contractors must apply to enroll in a training class by Sept. 30 and complete the training by Dec. 31, 2010.”

You can read the rest of the article here: NAHB Applauds EPA’S Decision to Delay Lead Paint Certification Enforcement

The Massachusetts Lead Paint Law Public Hearing

Published June 1, 2010 EPA Lead Rule , Helpful Hints Leave a Comment
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The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety held a public hearing last Monday for comments and suggestions about how to implement the Massachusetts version of the new lead-based paint EPA RRP (Renovation, Repair and Painting) law. The hearing was a success as there was a great deal of positive and constructive feedback regarding the issue. Construction law expert Andrea Goldman’s latest blog post is a list of the important issues and suggestions from this hearing.

You can read the commentary in her blog post here:  “The Massachusetts Lead Paint Law Hearing-Audience Commentary”

A more detailed account about the hearing can be found here in an earlier post: “Hearing with the Division of Occupational Safety about Massachusetts taking over the RRP Rule“

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