In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released stricter regulations for those performing work on buildings with lead-based paint. All parts of the final rule officially went into effect April 22, 2010.
The rule, called the Renovation, Repair and Painting Program, was developed to prevent lead poisoning among employees, supervisors and building inhabitants.
Those affected by the regulations are paid renovators working in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. This includes:
- Renovation contractors
- Maintenance workers in multi-family housing
- Painters and other specialty trades
While the EPA has been slowly rolling out this program since its inception in 2008, the final step in implementation requires that all renovations in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities be completed by a certified renovation firm that uses workers with accredited training and that follows all work practices of the final rule.
To ensure compliance with EPA regulations, contractors, property managers and maintenance personnel should consult this handbook: www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/sbcomplianceguide.pdf.