Cleveland, Ohio (Grassroots Newswire) January 20th, 2011 -- Local residents who have homes that were built in 1978 or before should know that all professionals working on renovation, repair, and painting in their homes are now required, by law, to test for the presence of lead-based paint in the areas in which they are going to work. If it is present, then the businesses must abide by lead safety measures outlined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.
Under the rule, which went into effect on April 22, 2010, businesses performing such work are required to:
- Receive the necessary training and certification from an EPA-accredited training provider for Lead Safe Work Practices, and then be approved by the EPA as a Certified Renovation Firm.
- Provide consumers or tenants with the EPA pamphlet "Renovate Right" prior to the start of any project.
- Maintain records documenting that the required information has been provided at each project subject to the rule and assign a Certified Renovator to oversee each project.
- Ensure that lead-safe work practices are used throughout the project.
- Ensure that the required standard of cleanliness is met at the conclusion of the project.
By adhering to the EPA standards, specialists, such as those at PuroClean Professional Services, decrease the possibility of exposing both homeowners and their own technicians to lead and lead dust.
"Lead poisoning is a serious medical issue and can affect children and adults. This new rule significantly changes the way in which many companies will approach restoration and remediation projects in the future. Fortunately, PuroClean always focuses on health and safety issues for their employees and occupants and typically exceeds the basic safety requirements of the new RRP rule," said Mark Widener, Production Manager of PuroClean Professional Services
All restoration contractors, painters, plumbers, property managers and anyone receiving compensation for renovating, repairing and painting work in residences built before 1978 that disturbs painted surfaces are subject to the EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.
Also affected by the RRP are those performing similar work on facilities, such as schools and day-care centers built prior to 1978, that are occupied by children less than six years of age, according to Widener.
"This rule supports the EPA's goal to protect children and adults from the hazards of lead-based paint," Widener added. "Residents in the Cleveland area who live in homes built in 1978 or before should remember that if they have work done, whether it's emergency restoration or routine maintenance, they should ask for proof of certification from their contractors before work begins. They should also ask for the required educational pamphlet, 'The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right'."
PuroClean Professional Services specializes in property emergency services. PuroClean-certified technicians help families and businesses overcome the devastating aftermath of property damage caused by water, fire, mold and other conditions, according to Widener.
For more information about PuroClean Professional Services, please contact Mark Widener at 866-944-7876. For more information about the EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, please visit http://www.epa.gov/leadwww.epa.gov/lead or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (1-800-424-5323).
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