Water Damage & EPA's Lead-Safe
RRP
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LOCATION
ADDRESS:
11315 Sunrise Gold Circle
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
866-722-7876
(Toll Free)
916-354-9743 (Business)
Fax:
916-647-0999
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EPA's Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting
(RRP)
"In the case of an emergency situation (water
damage, fire, etc.) there are a few exemptions from
some of the rules"
Lead based paint (LBP) is a recognized health hazard.
Such paints were the "standard" until the
1950's when they began to be replaced by newer, latex
paints. The health risks of LBP became better recognized,
and the use of LBP was banned for residential use in
1978. However, the EPA and HUD estimate that about 83
percent of homes built in the U.S. prior to 1978 may
still contain LBP.
In April 2010 a host of new training, certification
and work practice requirements, specified by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), "Lead-Based
Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program"
went into effect. As of that date, businesses involved
in restoration, mitigation, renovation, etc., must apply
for and receive EPA certification to disturb paint as
part of their work whenever they are in pre-1978 homes
or child-occupied facilities. In addition, all of these
jobs must be supervised by EPA-certified renovators;
individuals who have successfully completed an EPA-accredited,
full-day training course. All workers on such a job
site must be properly trained and equipped to follow
the RRP Program's lead-safe work practices when performing
their assigned tasks.
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Renovation is broadly defined as any activity that
disturbs painted surfaces and includes most repair,
remodeling and maintenance activities, including window
replacement, as well as emergency services following
damage caused by water or fire. Because the term "renovation"
is defined so broadly, many Contractors who are not
generally considered "Renovators," as that
term is commonly used, are considered to be "Renovators"
under the RRP Program and must follow the rule's requirements.
Under EPA's RRP Program, both businesses and supervisors
who perform (or direct other workers to perform) renovations
must be certified by EPA. The certified construction
firm is required to ensure (1) that all individuals
performing activities that disturb painted surfaces
on behalf of the firm are either certified Renovators
or have been trained by a certified Renovator; (2) that
a certified Renovator is assigned to each renovation
project; (3) that the program's recordkeeping requirements
are met; and (4) that the pre-renovation educational
materials are properly distributed (see below.).
To become a certified Renovator, an individual worker
must successfully complete an eight-hour initial Renovator
training course offered by an accredited training provider.
The course completion certificate serves as proof of
certification. The certified Renovator is required to
ensure that the renovation is performed in accordance
with the work practice standards of the RRP Program.
These requirements include pre-work testing to ascertain
whether there is LBP present. If there is, then the
requirements specify the use of warning signs and work
area containment, the proper use of necessary Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), the restriction or prohibition
of certain practices (e.g., high heat gun, torch, power
sanding), proper handling of all waste materials, cleaning
and specific, post-renovation cleaning verification.
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In addition to specifying safe work practices and procedures,
the EPA RRP Program also mandates that all businesses
that perform mitigation/restoration, renovation, repairs
and painting jobs in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied
facilities must, before beginning work, 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. A copy of this pamphlet is available at
the EPA's
website.
Contractors must document compliance with this requirement
using an EPA-approved form. This pamphlet outlines some
of the potential hazards that lead paint can pose to
individuals, especially children.
In the case of an emergency situation (water damage,
fire, etc.) there are a few exemptions from some of
the rules. These exemptions focus mostly on the homeowner/occupant-educational
requirements (the Renovate Right pamphlet). There are
no exemptions from pre-work testing, safe work practices,
cleaning requirements, etc. They also, of course, do
not exempt a business from the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) Duty of Care: the responsibility
of every business to ensure a safe work environment
for its employees.
Be assured: PuroClean Home Rescue is in full compliance
with the Environmental Protection Agency, Renovation,
Repair, and Painting Rules, and all other regulations
and laws. To ensure your peace of mind in all circumstances,
with LBP or not; and to ensure full compliance with
all EPA, OSHA and other regulations, and regardless
of the circumstances - dealing with water damage, smoke/fire
damage, mold remediation or biohazard mitigation - call
your local PuroClean office, the Paramedics of Property
Damage™. For all property damage situations, these professionals
are standing by. They will mitigate the loss toprevent
further damage and will then provide restoration services
to return the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly
as possible. All PuroClean offices have well-trained
professional Technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science
services to all property damaged from water, fire, smoke,
mold, and other disasters.
They will mitigate the loss to prevent further damage
and will then provide restoration services to return
the property to a pre-loss condition as quickly as possible.
All PuroClean offices have well-trained professional
Technicians who provide the latest state-of-the-science
services to all property damaged from water, fire, smoke,
mold, and other disasters.
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all countries.
Reproduction of the material is prohibited without
prior permission.
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