Renovation, Repair and Painting Contractors Required to Post Lead Hazard Safety Signs

Beginning in April, U.S. renovation, repair and painting contractors must be lead-certified and use lead-safe work practices when working in homes built before 1978.

Lead-safe practices include posting warning signs and establishing barriers around work areas to prevent unauthorized people from entering the areas. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “Signs should be in the primary language of the occupants and should say ‘Do Not Enter – Authorized Personnel Only’ and ‘No Eating, Drinking, or Smoking’.” Such signs will also remind workers to avoid eating, drinking and smoking in the work area.

Online safety sign retailer ComplianceSigns.com now offers OSHA, ANSI and general construction safety signs that meet EPA requirements for lead hazard notification. The signs are available in a variety of sizes, styles and materials at www.compliancesigns.com/construction.shtml , along with links to additional information.

The Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program rule affects contractors, property managers and others who disturb known or presumed lead-based paint during renovation. The term “renovation” covers all activities done for compensation that disturb painted surfaces including most repair, remodeling and maintenance activities, such as window replacement, weatherization and demoli­tion.

The RRP rule applies to all renovation work performed in residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities such as schools and day-care centers built before 1978. Those affected by the RRP rule should read the complete rule, which is available on EPA’s Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm .

In addition to education, certification and training requirements, the RRP rule establishes work practice requirements:

Renovators must use work-area containment to prevent dust and debris from leaving the work area.

Certain work practices are prohibited. Open-flame burning, using heat guns at greater than 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit and the use of power tools without high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) exhaust control (to collect dust generated) are prohibited.

Thorough cleaning followed by a cleaning verification procedure to minimize exposure to lead-based paint hazards are required.

Generally, minor repair and maintenance activities (less than 6 square feet per interior room or 20 square feet per exterior project) are exempt from the work practices requirements. However, this exemption does not apply to jobs involving window replacement or demolition, or that involve the use of any of the prohibited practices listed above.

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