Lead Safe Renovation Regulations
Iowa Department of Public Health:
Renovation, Remodeling and Repainting Rule (RRP)
In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EPA issued rules for renovation. These rules apply to renovation in the pre – 1978 housing target. They also apply to pre -1978 child – occupied facilities (day care center, kindergartens).
Beginning April 22, 2010, renovators must be certified by completing an 8 hour training course and they must also follow lead safe work practices. The Iowa Department of Health (IDPH) will carry out these rules in Iowa. Those who are certified will be called “lead-safe-renovators”. The new rules affect many kinds of contractors who would disturb up to 1 square ft. of building surfaces. Such activities would involve, removing painted components such as doors and window, repairing a painted surface or preparing it for repainting, replacing windows, removing walls and ceilings. Compliance is required for renovation and remodeling contractors, replacement contractors, rental property owners, maintenance workers, painters, plumbers and electricians and other contractors. Having a Lead Safe Renovator assigned to a project is not the only requirement, as it is now unacceptable to use certain types of tools and doing certain kinds of work practices.
This ruling is about protecting children effectively and efficiently by preventing them from being poisoned by the lead-tainted paint dust or chips that are being generated during renovation or repait work. Iowa is more than four times above the national average of 1.6 percent Lead-poisoned children. This has resulted in an increase in development deficits and learning disorders.
Compliance with the new regulations are required of any contractors working on these kinds of projects as well as by the property owners. MBI has two trainers that are certified by the State of Iowa to teach an 8 hour course and have trained over 120 Lead Safe Renovators since the new Lead regulation was put in place.
The Lead Safe Renovator Training course is designed to educate attendees on the new requirements and procedures that must be followed when a contractor renovates, repairs or paints a dwelling or child-occupied facility built before 1978. If you would like to attend a Lead Safe Renovator Training course, please contact Tom Suckow at the MBI office at (515) 657-4384.
The following links will inform you on the requirements of the new lead ruling.
For more information, contact MBI’s Safety Department:
Phil Mercuris at (515) 657-4391 or pmercuris@mbionline.com
Tom Suckow at (515) 657-4384 or tsuckow@mbionline.com.
