Acknowledging concerns raised by NLBMDA, its building industry allies and its supporters in Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it was delaying enforcement of its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, which became effective on April 22, 2010.
EPA has acknowledged the need for additional time for renovation firms and workers to become trained and certified under the rule. The specific delays are:
- Until October 1, 2010, EPA will not take enforcement action for violations of the RRP Rule's firm certification requirement.
- For violations of the RRP Rule's renovation worker certification requirement, EPA will not enforce against individual renovation workers if the person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, by not later than September 30, 2010, a certified renovator class to train contractors in practices necessary for compliance with the final rules. Renovators must complete the training by December 31, 2010.
NLBMDA continues to have numerous concerns with the overly complex and burdensome RRP Rule, including the removal of the opt-out provision and the lack of reliable test kits. The rule could have a severe impact on the remodeling market in several parts of the country and expose dealers and contactors to unnecessary liability. In addition, new proposals from EPA on clearance testing and an expansion of the rule to commercial construction pose additional challenges for the industry, which has still yet to recover from the recession.
NLBMDA will continue to seek ways to mitigate the impact of the rule on the industry.
EPA's announcement can be downloaded here. For more information on compliance with the RRP, click here.
Helpful Facts about the State of Rhode Island Lead-Safe Remodeler/Renovator License
Effective April 22, 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all professional building contractors, carpenters, painters, plumbers, flooring specialists or other tradesmen who are working on either the interior or exterior a pre-1978 house, childcare facility or elementary school to receive appropriate lead training and licensure.
In Rhode Island, the US EPA relies upon the RI Department of Health to license individuals as Lead-Safe Remodeler/Renovators and companies as Lead Hazard Control Firms
Learn more http://www2.sec.state.ri.us/dar/regdocs/released/pdf/DOH/4806.pdf
The State created its regulations in 2001 in direct response to the United States Housing and Urban Development's Lead Hazard Control standard and amended its regulations in 2010 in response to lead-safe standards set by the EPA Repair, Renovation, and Painting (RRP) Rule.
Recently, the EPA authorized Rhode Island to administer its own RRP program upon determining that its regulations were at least equal or more stringent than its own.
As of April 22, 2010, Rhode Island is the only state in New England and among seven nationwide which has received this select approval from the EPA. Therefore, contractors and others as outlined above are only required to hold a state-issued Lead-Safe Remodeler/Renovator or Lead Hazard Control Firm license and do not need an EPA license to work in Rhode Island.
Learn more at http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/lead/pubs/lscp-renovation.htm
For additional information about the state's regulations, contact the State Department of Health at (401) 222-5960 and speak to an information specialist.
State of Rhode Island Lead-Safe License Requirements:
- Successfully complete an 8-hour educational course focusing on lead-safe renovation, repair and painting work practices as recommended by the State of Rhode Island Department of Occupational Health.
Locate a class posted on the following website link, see page 2, section entitled Lead 8-hour - Initial Remodeler/Renovator online
http://www.health.ri.gov/lead/pdf/pbcourses.pdf
- Upon completing the course, you will receive a paper certificate entitled: Initial Lead-Safe Remodeler/Renovator (8hrs),
- Mail the following items to the Department of Health with a check or money order made payable to the Rhode Island General Treasurer:
- written results of your blood test,
- a photocopy of your paper certificate from the course,
- a completed Lead-Safe Removator/Remodeler application which you can access online at http://www.health.ri.gov/lead/RemodelerRenovator.pdf
- a check or money order in the amount of $40
- Please note that you must submit the entire four page application packet including the cover sheet and instruction sheet or else it will be returned to you and delay the processing of your certification.
Company owners are required to submit two additional items:
- the state requires owners of firms, sole-proprietorships and other such companies to certify their business as a Lead Hazard Control Firm. Submit a completed application which you can access online at
http://www.health.ri.gov/lead/LeadHazardControlFirm.pdf
- submit your application with a check or money order in the amount of $40.
- Please note that you must submit the entire four page application packet including the cover sheet and instruction sheet or else it will be returned to you and delay processing of your certification.
Once the State Department of Health receives and processes your packet of information and payment, a representative will contact you to schedule an appointment to take a photo for an identification badge. According to the State Dept. of Health, allow about fifteen days (15) for the state to process your info and contact you.
Where the Lead 8-hr-Initial Remodeler/Renovator course is being offered:
Childhood Lead Action Project
1192 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02909
Tel: (401) 785-1310
No email available
Community College of Rhode Island
1 Hilton Street
Providence, RI 02886
Tel: (401) 455-6129
Email: stdonofrio@CCRI.edu
Rhode Island Builders Assocation (RIBA)***
450 Veterans Memorial Parkway
East Providence, RI 02914
Tel: (401) 438-7400
Email: rwarren@ribuilders.org
****Save $75 on course fee when you join RIBA
Rhode Island Lead Technicians, Inc.
2626 Reservoir Avenue
Somerset, MA 02914
Tel: (401) 438-9988
Email: leadsafe@rileadtechs.com
Vortex Inc. Environmental Management Co.
3670 West Shore Road
Warwick, RI 02887
Tel: (401) 738-7710
Email: jcvortex@gmail.com
