EPA Lead Certification

Comply with the new EPA lead certification requirements or you could lose work...AND FACE FINES OF $37,500 PER DAY!

New EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Rules

The EPA has ruled that contractors who perform renovation, repairs, and painting must train and re-certify in lead-safe work practices before renovating certain projects. These new EPA rules took effect on April 22, 2010. Not sure if your work falls under this rule? View our simple breakdown of lead-based paint activities and the required certifications.

There are 5 steps to be sure you are in compliance:

1. Get registered for an EPA-approved lead certification course
2. Submit an application to EPA on behalf of your company
3. Complete the training in a public or private workshop
4. Pass the short certification exam given in class
5. Receive approval from EPA and you're in the clear!

The EPA lead certification & licensing requirement went into effect on April 22, 2010 and you want to be sure that you're lead safety certified. Failure to comply with EPA certification requirements WILL result in fines of $37,500 per day that you are working in the field on a qualifying project.

Zack Academy is an approved EPA Provider and offers the new EPA lead certification, conducting initial training in Lead Paint Safety for Renovation, Repair and Painting, certifying renovators to perform lead-safe work.

Visit epa.gov for full details on the new EPA renovator rules for lead safety certification and licensing.

A Primer On Lead Paint and Safety

Lead paint poisoning is often considered an issue that was eradicated years ago. However, recent studies on child lead levels have shown that despite increased efforts by contractors to follow lead safe practices, children residing in homes under renovation are 30% more likely to have an unsafe level of lead in their blood than those in homes that were not under renovation. Even basic renovation or repair work being performed by contractors including plumbers, electricians, and window replacement specialists can lead to invisible, harmful dust from disturbing lead paint.

To work towards completely eliminating the hazardous effects lead poisoning can have, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a new certification required for all contractors, renovators, and painters who work in pre-1978 homes and/or child-occupied facilities. For EPA lead certification, companies must register and pay a fee with EPA, and individuals must take a one-day lead safety training course approved by the EPA to become a certified renovator. The EPA lead certification is good for five years.

The Lead Based Paint Renovation Repair and Painting Program (RRP) involves pre-renovation and work practice requirements in addition to the firm and individual certification. Contractors, property managers, and other renovation workers must distribute a lead pamphlet from the EPA describing the hazards of lead before starting renovation work. The required EPA pamphlet is titled Lead Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right, and the EPA mandates that the renovation contractor or worker must keep record of the tenant or owner's receipt of the pamphlet.

During renovation, lead-safe work practices must be followed, including work-area containment to prevent lead paint dust and debris, and minimizing exposure to lead paint hazards by thoroughly cleaning the site after project completion. These lead safe steps must be verified by an individual who has received the EPA individual renovator certification.

Even if you are currently not working on any projects that would fall under the new EPA requirements, it's better to get the training completed and not risk having to turn down any work because you are not yet in EPA compliance. For any questions at all on these new EPA requirements or to determine if these EPA-approved courses are right for you, please call us in the office at 646-564-3546 and we will be glad to help!