Protected by Copyscape Duplicate Content Check

Subscribe by Email and get notified about new postings as soon as they happen!

Your email:

Check Out This DVD About RRP Work Practices

This DVD, produced by Chris Zorzy, contains great time saving solutions for complying with the RRP Rule.   Chris shares a variety of containment strategies that will help keep your jobsites clean, reduce job costs and meet RRP requirements

Looking For RRP Forms and Signage?

Shawn has reviewed these forms, helped the provider enhance the forms and recommends them as a great option for those who want to use paper forms to document compliance with the EPA RRP rule.

Lead Paint Fors Store Banner

LeadPaint FormsStore.com

Browse Topics by Tag

I just wanted to say thank you for your efforts to keep us informed.

"Thank you again for the hundreth time for keeping a vigil on this business nightmare. Your site is one of the best resources we have to stay on level ground" 

Christian Peter

 

"I am quite impressed with all the confusion out there at Shawn McCadden’s clear and concise voice that continues to help contractors and those involved in this industry truly understand the rule. His efforts should be applauded." 

Christopher Wagner, LBPFiles

 

"RRPedia is an accurate and contractor friendly interpretation of the very complex and confusing EPA RRP rule"

 

"Thanks for taking the time to write the blog.  It's about the only place one can go to get some serious info on this dreadful subject"

Suggest or Contribute a RRPedia Topic

Want a Simple Summary of the EPA RRP?

Shawn McCadden has created an EPA RRP Summary for Remodelers.

"Hi Shawn, Nice RRP write up on the website.   I've already forwarded a link to it to a number of local builder types."  

Click here to go to the summary.  You can also download it if you want your own copy.

Add this widget to your Web page, blog, or social networking site. A widget is a CDC.gov application that displays the featured content directly on your web page. Click the buttons to see the next tip to prevent lead poisoning.


 

Welcome to RRPedia
Your Interactive Resource for EPA RRP Information

Looking for accurate information about the EPA RRP rule?

RRPedia RRPedia logohas been created by Shawn McCadden to help remodelers and others affected by the New EPA Renovation Repair and Painting Rule. 

Please read RRPedia Use and Contribution Information before using or contributing to RRPedia

Be sure to Read Shawn's Remodeling Magazine Blogs about the EPA RRP Rule.  Click here to see a list

Keep checking back.  Information about a wide range of RRP-related topics will continue to be added. 

You Can Browse For RRP Topics By Using The Tags List To The Right

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

How to Safely Use a HEPA Vacuum and Change a Contaminated Bag

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 @ 12:09 PM
  
  
  
  
Add to delicious  delicious  
  

Please read RRPedia Use and Contribution Information before using or contributing to RRPedia

Hepa Vac

  

The EPA RRP Model Certified Lead Renovator Courses do not address one of the critical tasks for an renovation project:  How to use and maintain the HEPA vacuum.  But if a renovator gets this wrong, then HEPA may not help cleanup dust.  Worse, it could spread dust and cause contamination and poisoning. 

  

Some suggestions:

  • Cleaning:  If the filter - whether the HEPA filter or the prefilters - gets loaded down with dust and debris, the HEPA vacuum will not move enough air to properly and efficiently collect lead dust and lead debris from the renovation. The renovator must periodically clean the vacuum and replace the prefilter - and depending on the design - the HEPA filter. 

  • Sealing: Before you turn off a HEPA vacuum, you need to cover the end of the air intake home with tape or bag the beater bar.  If you don't do this, the dust and debris in the hose will fall out and recontaminate the workplace or be released in the truck or someone else's home.  When you need to use the vacuum, turn the vacuum on and then remove the tape or bag.  Remember, when the unit is turned off, the air intake openings must be sealed.

  • Training: When training workers consider the following:

    • Consider adding a demonstration about HEPA vacuum cleaning to the training.  Allow traineees to open up a HEPA vacuum and see how it works. 

    • Consider having the trainees practice with a new unused HEPA vacuum so you can observe and help them.  Make sure it has not been used and contaminated with lead. 

    • Watch the trainees during hands-on exercises to make sure they seal up the vacuum when it is turned off.  If they forget, dump the debris and dust on the cleaned up workplace for a great visual and have them reclean.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services developed this great two-page fact sheet on "How to Safely Change a Lead Contaminated HEPA Vacuum Bag." They use a common canister vacuum to show how to change the prefilter.

How to change a HEPA Vac bag 

change a hepa vac bag 

Use the following link to view and/or download the fact sheet to your computer: How to Safely Change a Lead Contaminated HEPA Vacuum Bag

Tags: , , , , ,

Comments

Sean Can you update the link on this "How to Safely Change a Lead Contaminated HEPA Vacuum Bag". I agree that it was overlooked and want to share it with my remodelers group.
Posted @ Tuesday, February 28, 2012 7:20 AM by Joe Levitch
Joe, Thanks for catching the broken link. I fixed it by linking directly to a PDF of the fact sheet.
Posted @ Tuesday, February 28, 2012 7:54 AM by Shawn McCadden
Post Comment
Name
 *
Email
 *
Website (optional)
Comment
 *

Allowed tags: <a> link, <b> bold, <i> italics