EPA Ends "Opt-Out" in Lead Abatement Rule

On April 23, 2010 EPA is finalized revisions to the Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program (RRP) that went final on April 22, 2008. 

Under the revisions EPA eliminates the “opt-out” provision that currently exempts a renovation firm from the training and work practice
requirements if the firm obtains certification from the owner that no child under age 6 or pregnant women resides in the home and the home is not a child-occupied facility.

The second major revisions requires renovation firms to provide a copy of the records demonstrating compliance with the training and work practice requirements of the RRP rule to the owner and, if different, the occupant of the building being renovated or the operator of the child-occupied facility.

The RRP rule establishes requirements for training renovators and dust sampling technicians; for certifying renovators, dust sampling technicians, and renovation firms; for accrediting providers of renovation and dust sampling technician training; for renovation work practices; and for record keeping rule.

 

Contractors be aware of asbestos regulations

In the most recent issue of Builder's Exchange, a construction attorney in my office (Jim Dixon) and I wrote an article discussing asbestos regulations as they pertain to contractors working at a job site. 

The article was intended to raise awareness in the construction industry that contractors can be liable for asbestos violations even if they do not perform asbestos remediation activities.  If you are the the prime contractor on a job or even a contractor given supervisory authority, the asbestos notification requirements could apply to both you and the owner of the building equally.  Failure to perform the requisite survey or provide the required notice in advance of demolition or renovation work is the most common enforcement action taken by Ohio EPA.  As set forth in the article, make sure you verify the owner has complied with the asbestos regulations before starting work at the site.

(Photo: Ktheory/everystockphoto.com)