Renovation Training Required by the EPA
Effective April of 2010 (and earlier in some State), the EPA final Rule, referred to as the "RRP Rule" (Renovation, Remodeling and Painting Rule), will take effect. One of the many requirements of this new EPA Federal Regulation is that construction related activity persons (Carpenters, Roofers, Painters, Remodelers, Renovators, HVAC Persons, Electricians, Plumbers, Carpet Installers, etc) who will impact 6 square feet or more in total (some States are using 2 square feet) of any and all surface coatings (paint, stain, varnish, shellac, polyurethane, epoxy, sealers, etc) or lead-contaminating materials in a pre-1978 structure, as well as all commercial Daycare centers and Kindergarten facilities, will have to receive the mandated Lead-Safe Work Practices (LSWP) training from an approved Professional Training Provider.
State or EPA certification /licensure will be required for construction related activity persons (Contractors) and those persons must receive training from an approved Professional Training Provider. When the new RRP Rule takes effect on April 22, 2010, Contractors will have to take the mandated training from a Professional Training Provider that has been accredited by tht EPA or in the specific State in which the Contractors want to provide services.
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As the EPA does not seem to be doing much to let the general public know about this new training requirement (we found out by accident) our association, Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors is working to educate the general public at least in the Kansas City area. On Tuesday February 9th we invited in Lead Expert Richard Baker from Baker Environmental Consulting (www.BakerEnvironmental.com) to speak at our monthly association meeting of Real Estate Investors and their contractors to tell us what is going on.
History: Man has known that lead is harmful to people for over 3,000 years. The Romans knew it. Benjamin Franklin wrote about the visible health effects of lead paint to painters in the 1700's. Paint manufacturers in the 1800's offered "Lead Free" paint that was "Safe". Yet we continued to use Lead Paint in homes until 1978 and it is still in all paint today, just in much lower quantities than we say pre 1978.
Lead Poisoning can cause a myriad of health issues and affect just about every part of the body. Where we especially see it is children of low income families that live in less well maintained homes. But it can be anywhere, and is also being seen in the homes of Contractors.
Where most lead poisoning comes from is from lead dust that is created during renovation and remodeling that is blown out onto carpeting in other rooms of the home. On clothing of the contractors that is tracked to their vehicles and take home to their furniture and flooring. Children, especially small children crawl on the flooring, touch floors, car seats, grass on the outside of the home, the dog who has been playing in grass contaminated with lead paint dust, etc. It gets on the hands of the children, which in most small children then go into their mouths. Just getting a minute amount on their hands and into their mouths over a several day period can cause severe lead poisoning and over prolonged periods it can cause death.
So consider the contractor with 2.5 kids that has lead dust on his clothing when he goes home - he gets dust in his car, on his furniture, on his carpeting, or through washing his clothing with the family, he gets dust on everyone else's clothing.
So in an effort to protect not only the public whose homes are being renovated, but also the families of the contractors doing the work, we now have this new rule that is going into effect.
Specifically in KS, every contractor on the crew will need to take an 8 hour training class and get a certificate of attendance. In MO, the owner or manager needs to take the class and get a license and then they will be able to train their own staff on lead safe work practices. But it would be advisable that all workers take the class.
Some work practices suggested:
•1. Don't disturb the lead paint and cause dust. Take out the entire surface affected if in bad shape and replace or if in good condition, paint over it. Temporary fix.
•2. When you do cause dust. Keep it contained and clean it up with a HEPA vacuum, not the normal every day vacuum or shop vac but rather a commercial grade vacuum with HEPA filtering.
•3. Don't create dust - wet it down as you work with it so it does not get dusty and in the air.
•4. When drilling it was suggested to put a dollop of shaving cream in place and drill through it.
There are many more practices that need to be taught to protect the public. Our speaker Richard Baker commented that it was very sad that 1000's of people suffer lead poisoning in 2010 when we have known about the health hazards of lead for over 3,000 years.
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In the News:
Interview with Maria Antonia of KMBC-TV 9
http://www.kmbc.com/news/22413754/detail.html
More Information:
•· EPA http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm
•· HUD http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/training/rrp/rrp.cfm
•· Baker Environmental http://www.bakerenvironmental.com/baker-environmental-whats-new.asp
•· Replay Audio of our Meeting http://mareinet.audioacrobat.com/download/d0d431a9-3ea3-4b7d-b57d-4c9879232440.mp3
Lead Safe Work Practices - Classed offered by Baker Environmental:
•· February 15th & 19th - Holiday Inn, Overland Park KS
•· March 1st - Accurate Rater Network, Independence, MO
•· March 3rd & 4th - Fort Riley, KS
•· March 8th - Fort Leavenworth, KS
•· March 9th - Holiday Inn, Overland Park, KS
•· March 10th - Fort Leavenworth, KS
•· March 15th - 18th - Fort Riley, KS
•· March 19th & 29th - Holiday Inn, Overland Park, KS
•· March 31st - Accurate Rater Network - Independence, MO
•· April 12th - 14th - Holiday Inn, Overland Park, KS
•· April 22nd & 23rd - Holiday Inn, Overland Park, KS
Looking for training in your state, contact your local health department or local EPA office for more information.
About Baker Environmental:
Baker Environmental located at 7941 Westgate Street in Lenexa, KS 66215 is the first in the Kansas City Region to receive formal approval from HUD for their Lead Safe Work Practices training. Additionally, they are the only professional training firm in the entire region who have Staff that have attended the 2002 HUD / EPA Train-The-Trainer training course in Washington, DC that was given for those that want to become approved to teacht eh LSWP courses. Unlike anyone else in the Midwest region of the country, Baker Environmental has been teaching LSWP classes Nationwide officially since 2003.
Found online at www.BakerEnvironmental.com
Phone: 913-541-0220
Contact: Richard Baker
About Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors:
Mid-America Association of Real Estate Investors (MAREI) located in Prairie Village Kansas is a trade association for the Real Estate Investing industry that has provided networking and educational opportunities to real estate investors and service providers in the Kansas City Metro area since 2003. We strive to keep our members and the general public informed of important issues relating to real estate.
Found online at: www.MAREInet.com
Phone: 816-523-4400 x 222
Contact: Kim Tucker
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