What is the Lead Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Program?
The Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair, and Painting Program is a federal regulatory program affecting contractors, property managers, and others who disturb painted surfaces. It applies to residential houses, apartments, and child-occupied facilities such as schools and day-care centers built before 1978. It includes pre-renovation education requirements as well as training, certification, and work practice requirements. Training, certification, and work practice requirements become effective April 22, 2010.
Who do the new regulations affect?
In general, anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities is affected. This may include, but is not limited to: Residential rental property owners/managers, general contractors, specialty trade contractors, including painters, plumbers, carpenters, window and door installers, siding installers, electricians, drywall installers, handymen, HVAC technicians, and many more.
What does the RRP Program require me to do?
- Distribute the Renovate Right Pamphlet before the work starts
- Firms must be certified.
- Renovators must be trained.
- Lead-safe work practices must be followed. Examples of these practices include:
- Work-area containment to prevent dust and debris from leaving the work area.
- Prohibition of certain work practices like open-flame burning and the use of power tools without HEPA exhaust control.
- Thorough clean up followed by a verification procedure to minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards.
How does a Firm get certified?
Beginning in October 2009, firms may apply to EPA for certification to perform renovations or dust sampling. To apply, a firm must submit to EPA a completed "Application for Firms," signed by an authorized agent of the firm, and pay the correct amount of fees.
How do I get trained and certified as a Renovator?
To become a Certified Renovator, an individual must successfully complete an eight-hour initial renovator training course offered by an accredited training provider (training providers are accredited by EPA, or by an authorized state or tribal program). The course completion certificate serves as proof of certification.
What happens if I don't get certified or am in violation of the RRP Rule?
EPA uses a variety of methods to determine whether businesses are complying, including inspecting work sites, reviewing records and reports, and responding to citizen tips and complaints. EPA may file an enforcement action against violators seeking penalties of up to $37,500 per violation, per day. The proposed penalty in a given case will depend on many factors, including the number, length, and severity of the violations.
