EPA fines two New England contractors for failing to comply with Renovation, Repair, & Painting Rule.
Lead paint is present in many homes built before 1978 and can pose a danger if disturbed. Recognizing lead exposure from paint chips and paint dust as a leading cause of lead poisoning in Americans, especially children and infants, the EPA has set up comprehensive guidelines for the safe removal and cleanup of lead paint. These guidelines are known as the Renovation, Repair, & Painting Rule. However, not all contractors or individuals take care to follow these guidelines.
Contractors Face Thousands in Fines
One recent case shows how serious the EPA is about compliance with their Renovation, Repair, & Painting (RRP) Rule. The former Frisbee School in Kittery, Maine was getting a facelift to be transformed into a community center. The general contractor on the project, James J. Welch & Co., hired a sub-contractor to replace some storm windows on the property. Unfortunately, these windows contained lead paint, and the sub-contractor, New Hampshire Plate Glass Corp., did not follow the EPA’s guidelines when removing the windows. Specifically, they failed to assign a certified renovator to the site, cover the ground in the work area with plastic, and properly contain waste generated by the removal of the painted materials. Because the community center was going to include child care, these failures were considered quite serious. In a recent settlement with the EPA, NH Plate Glass was fined $10,890 for their violations of the RRP Rule. The general contractor, James J. Welch & Co., was fined $3,565 for failing to ensure the sub-contractor was handling the job correctly.
About the RRP Rule
The RRP Rule affects renovations on most pre-1978 housing and any child-occupied facility. It requires any individual who is paid for their work to meet certain certification and training requirements and to follow the EPA’s lead-safe project guidelines. Violations can result in fines of up to $37,500 per violation per day. While the RRP rule generally does not apply to DIY projects, it is still wise for individuals to follow the guidelines to help protect their properties from contamination.
Why Trust AQHI Inc.
AQHI Inc. is an EPA certified lead-safe contractor with ample experience in the safe removal of lead paint from all kinds of surfaces. We can remove the paint itself or the paint and the material it’s attached to as your project may require. Either way you can rely on us to remain in full compliance with all relevant legal requirements throughout the project. We will also clean the work site thoroughly once all the lead paint is removed to leave your property clean and safe.
