Welcome to RRPedia
Your Interactive Resource for EPA RRP Information

RRPedia logoLooking for accurate information about the EPA RRP rule?

RRPedia has 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.

 


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

Senate moves to put off EPA RRP lead-paint violation fines

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Fri, May 28, 2010 @ 10:45 AM

Senate ChamberSenate moves to put off EPA RRP lead-paint violation fines

by JIM MYERS World Washington Bureau

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Link to Article

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed legislation Thursday to block fines temporarily under a rule that requires certification to remove lead paint in homes and certain facilities built prior to 1978.

Sen. Susan CollinsSponsored by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, the proposal was attached to a supplemental funding bill by a vote of 60-37.

Senators later passed that spending bill and sent it to the House for further action.

In pushing her amendment, Collins accused the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of botching implementation of the lead-paint rule, which took effect in April.

"I support the EPA lead-paint abatement rule. There simply is no question that we must continue our efforts to rid lead-based paint from our homes,'' she said.

"The problem is there still aren't enough EPA-certified trainers in place to certify contractors. As a result, contractors face devastating fines.''

Fines under the rule could be as high as $37,500 per day.

Collins' legislation would bar the EPA from using funds in the spending bill to levy fines.

"The intent of my amendment is to give small contractors and construction professionals more time to comply with the new rule,'' she said.

Sen. Jim InhofeFor months, Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., has helped lead efforts on the EPA's implementation of the rule, which has sparked both concern and controversy in Oklahoma.

"Today's vote shows there is overwhelming bipartisan concern about the disastrous implementation of EPA's lead-based paint rule,'' Inhofe said.

Citing what he called widespread confusion with the rule's implementation, he also called for the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to hold a hearing on the matter.

Inhofe serves as the top Republican on that panel.

Sen. Barbara BoxerSen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., the chairwoman of the committee, argued against the Collins amendment. She spoke of the dangers of lead poisoning, especially to children, infants and pregnant women, and urged her fellow senators to reject Collins' effort to block enforcement of the rule.

"Let's not turn back the clock,'' she said. "Lead is poison.''

Boxer rejected arguments by Collins and others that the number of certified trainers was inadequate to provide the necessary classes for renovators and others. She said traveling trainers have been available to come in from out of state to offer the necessary training.

###

Topics: EPA RRP Rule Updates, Worker Training, Enforcement and Inspections

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

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Thu, Apr 29, 2010 @ 01:09 PM

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

Topics: HEPA Vac Info, Worker Training, Production Considerations, Work Practices, Personal Protection, Tools and Supplies

Do my subs need to be EPA RRP Certified Firms?

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Sat, Apr 17, 2010 @ 03:02 PM

Question:
If a general contractor hires a subcontractor to work at a renovation site, does the subcontractor need to be an EPA certified firm if the subcontractor does not disturb any paint? 

According to the EPA Website:

HVAC DuctworkFirms performing tasks that disturb no painted surfaces whatsoever do not need to be EPA Certified Firms.  However, since conditions at the job site may be difficult to predict, EPA strongly recommends that all firms involved in the renovation be certified and use properly trained and certified personnel.  For example, a firm hired to install an HVAC system after demolition of painted surfaces has taken place may find that to complete the job painted surfaces need to be disturbed.  The HVAC firm may not engage in activities that disturb painted surfaces if it is not certified.  



ConfusionAs every renovation job is different, it is up to the firm acting as the general contractor to determine what activities are within the scope of the renovation and to ensure that other firms are properly trained and certified for the tasks they will be performing.  All firms, including the firm acting as the general contractor, are responsible for making sure the renovation is performed in accordance with the RRP work practice standards, including keeping containment intact and making sure lead dust and debris do not leave the work site.   General contractors should keep in mind that if a firm hires a subcontractor that fails to follow the work practice standards or otherwise violates the Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule, the firm that hired the subcontractor is also responsible for the violation.

Topics: RRP Questions, EPA RRP Lead Rules, Worker Training, Production Considerations, Subcontractor Considerations

What do I need to know about Respirators when doing EPA RRP work?

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Sat, Apr 17, 2010 @ 01:01 PM

Worker wearing respiratorMany Certified Renovators, after taking the required EPA RRP certification class, leave with questions about respirators.  The RRP rules are not specific about the need or requirement for workers to use respirators while performing work practices, but there are OSHA rules to consider. For information regarding OSHA requirements contractors can refer to the OSHA document titled Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard

There is also more information about respiratory protection at the OSHA web Site.  If you want a quick resource of OSHA information about respirators try the Respiratory Protection Frequently Asked Questions page of the OSHA web site.

If you are a certified renovator tying to figure out where to get started about respirators, the following information is from the HUD Booklet titled Lead Paint Safety, A Field Guide for Painting, Home Maintenance and Renovation Work.  It should give you a good idea of when respirators would be required or not.  It can also help identify when you should consider OSHA Requirements on RRP related work.  The booklet also includes very thorough instructions, for working lead safe, specific to performing a variety of projects.  It could be a great resource for contractors trying to collect effective and innovative lead safe work practices, just be sure to stay in compliance with RRP rules.

 

 

Topics: Worker Training, OSHA Considerations, Work Practices, Personal Protection, Tools and Supplies

Concerns about misiformation at EPA RRP Certified Renovator Training

Posted by Shawn McCadden on Fri, Apr 16, 2010 @ 10:00 AM

Not all EPA Certified Renovator training classes are equal.  The quality and effectiveness of training classes and instructors vary greatly. Contractors should seek to pre-qualify the quality of a training class and the instructor before either attending themselves or sending their employees. The right instructor can make a world of difference. 

workerWithout practical experience with the realities of remodeling, an instructor might only be book smart.   Most attendees have questions about how the work practices need to be applied to the kind(s) of work they do.  If an instructor lacks the ability to provide concrete examples and context for the work practices being taught at the class, field employees are likely to quickly lose interest and the ability to focus during the 8 hour day.

Also, contractors who have attended the training report that many trainers get off topic and as a result attendees can miss out on important information required to stay in compliance and avoid liabilities.  Some classes have even have gone well beyond the scheduled end time, which can be costly if you are paying employees for their time to attend. 

Make sure cost is not your only deciding factor.  Just like choosing a good remodeler, referrals and references can be the best way to find a good class and instructor. For more on choosing a class and instructor, click here to read one of Shawn's Remodeling magazine blogs titled: Sharing the Knowledge: Thoughts on Your RRP Training Experience?

I caught Joe Cracco of Modern Yankee Builders in Cumberland RI at the JLC LIVE Trade Show in Providence in March 2010. Joe had just completed the EPA Certified Renovator training at the show.  In this video Joe  shares his concerns about misinformation he received at the class he attended and how it could affect his and other contractor's businesses. 

 

 

Topics: Videos, Worker Training, Legal Considerations, Certified Renovator Training