By JONI TRUEX
Builders Association of Kosciusko and Fulton Counties

Environmental Protection Agency’s new lead paint rule went into effect April 22, 2010, for builders, remodelers, property managers, and subcontractors.

This requirement required all contractors to be EPA certified and to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination when working in homes and housing units, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978. These new rules were created in order to prevent dangerous lead paint exposure, which can affect children’s brains and nervous systems, can cause high blood pressure in adults, and in rare cases, may even be fatal. This rule also requires refresher training for certified lead renovators every five years.

Any activity that disturbs painted surfaces greater than 6-square feet per room inside or more than 20-square feet on the exterior of the home or building fall under this regulation. Activities include most repair, remodeling, and maintenance activities – including window replacement and building demolition.

Specific examples of activities include electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry, and window replacement, among others. There are additional requirements for signage, recordkeeping, and record retention. The RRP Rule and specific requirements are posted on the EPA’s website www.epa.gov/lead.

The Builders Association Kosciusko Fulton Counties will provide a Certified Lead Renovator Refresher Training Coursefrom 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 23, to help local contractors recertify. Contact the Builders Association at (574) 267-6125 or www.bakfc.com for further information or to enroll in the certified lead renovator training seminar

Cost for BAKFC members is $175 and $275 for nonmembers of BAKFC. The training will be held at the Builders Association office, located at 523 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw. Enrollment is limited.

EPA has the right to inspect work sites, review records and reports and respond to complaints. Enforcement action against a company that fails to comply with the RRP Rule could result in fines as high as $32,500 per violation, per day