Ordinary renovation and maintenance activities in older buildings can create dust that contains lead. Beginning on Earth Day, New Jersey contractors will play a greater role in preventing lead exposure as the US Environmental Protection Agency fully implements a new rule that requires all contractors performing renovations, repairs, painting jobs and maintenance on properties built before 1978 to be certified to use lead-safe practices.
  In preparation for the deadline, the Builders League of South Jersey is hosting two EPA Lead Certification courses for area contractors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 27 and March 3 at the League’s office on Haddontowne Court in Cherry Hill. Participants can earn their certification with the one-day course, which costs $325. Registration can be done by phone at (856) 616-8460) or online at www.blsj.com.
  The EPA implemented its Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule nearly two years ago, but the grace period ends on April 22.  The rule lists specific containment procedures for both interior and exterior projects. In addition to firm certification, one employee will need to be a Certified Renovator. This employee is responsible for training other employees and overseeing work practices and clean up.  The training curriculum for certification, in development with the EPA, will be an eight-hour class with two hours of hands-on training. Both the first and renovator certifications are valid for five years.
  Violations of the EPA’s RRP rule can result in fines of $32,000 per day.
  The certification is required for any one who performs renovations, repairs, and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.
  Before beginning work, contractors will be required to provide owners, tenants, and child-care facilities with a copy of EPA's lead hazard information pamphlet Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools.  Once work is completed, contactors must document compliance with this requirement.
  Homeowners who perform work to their own homes are not covered by the EPA’s RRP Rule. It is their responsibility, however, to create a safe environment for their family. The EPA is urging homeowners planning to conduct work on their older homes to read a copy of the Renovate Right pamphlet.They may also call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) and ask for more information on how to work safely in a home with lead-based paint.
  For more information on the EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule visit http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.