ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY - Lead Base Paint Certification

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mtnelect

mtnelect

HVAC & Electrical Contractor
Location
Southern California
Occupation
Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule to protect children from lead exposure mandates that all renovation and repair contractors working in pre-1978 homes, schools, and day care centers who disrupt more than six square feet of lead paint are required to become EPA Certified in lead-safe work practices. Renovation contractors are required to take a one-day training course and firms must send a short application to the EPA. If not, they could face thousands of dollars in fines, and – even worst – be responsible for harming their customers.
 

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How is the six square feet measured? Typically electricians are only cutting holes and the only part that is actually disrupted is the saw kerf.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
How is the six square feet measured? Typically electricians are only cutting holes and the only part that is actually disrupted is the saw kerf.
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Yes, on a simple service/repair call it would be hard to exceed the six square foot rule. But, on rewire of old cloth covered wiring that's where it would kick in.

On inspections that I have done for the state, I have run into many inexperienced contractors that did not expect how difficult rewriting would be on old wiring and abandon the job, leaving open walls with lead dust everywhere. And the occupants still occupying the house without the knowledge of the present hazards.
 
mtnelect said:
Yes, on a simple service/repair call it would be hard to exceed the six square foot rule. But, on rewire of old cloth covered wiring that's where it would kick in.

On inspections that I have done for the state, I have run into many inexperienced contractors that did not expect how difficult rewriting would be on old wiring and abandon the job, leaving open walls with lead dust everywhere. And the occupants still occupying the house without the knowledge of the present hazards.
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So how did the state handle contractors abandoning a job? I would hope their license was revoked.
 
roger said:
So how did the state handle contractors abandoning a job? I would hope their license was revoked.
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For a contractor not having a previous complaint it would go to mandatory arbitration where my report would be used to determine the cost. If the contractor couldn't pay, his bond would cover it. Then the bonding company would go after the contractor and CSLB would suspend his license. If the contractor had a previous record, it would be filed with the State Attorney General for prosecution.
 
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This is why consumers should check with the CSLB website before hiring a contractor. It has a great option of using your zip code to find a licensed contractor in your local area.
 
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So even though there were EPA violations it was more of an incompetence problem. The companies I worked for educated Lead Paint as well as Asbestos awareness through our safety programs.
 
I left something out ... Constitutional Rights. The consumer and the contractor have the right to provide their evidence during arbitration.
 
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