Lead abetment

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I agree with 480. Check locally. It is very important to note that if you are talking about the new lead laws, Renovation, repair, paint, (RRP) this is not lead abatement.

Here in MA I have only heard rumors. One is some locales are not issuing permits unless you are certified. Again only a rumor. i know for sure there are some that are doing nothing with the law as of yet. I also know there is legislation in the works to provide a statewide program of rules and enforcement that will have to be approved by the EPA. There are a few states that have already completed this process.

All that said, anybody that is not certified at this point and is working in a dwelling that was built pre '78 you are in violation of the law and the potential trouble you might face is very deep. By deep I mean expensive!
 
Lead abatement is a nasty phrase. No RRP contractor can do it. You must be a lead abatement contractor, registered with the EPA to do such work. This would be a higher license level with the EPA.

c2500
 
I recently went to a class that was given by the Apartment Association of Metro Denver. The class was given by the association lawyers and touched on a variety of maintenance issues (mostly how to keep maintenance people out of hot water).

I asked if anyone was actually enforcing the rules. The answer I got was that the EPA is responsible for enforcement. They also mentioned that the fines start out at something like $35,000. I suppose the building departments could also be responsible for enforcement but I don't think they would take on the extra work without being reimbursed or a cut of the fine.

I think the previous mentioned call to the building department is the best bet. BTW I am taking my RRP class on Thursday.
 
I apologize for using the wrong term. I meant to ask about the new lead laws.

I also thought from reading the law on the EPA website if the total area was not over 6 square foot no certification is necessary?
Thanks.
seems to me the local building departments should be enforcing the lead Law.
Thanks:)
 
Riograndeelectric said:
Seems to me the local building departments should be enforcing the lead Law.
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It was the opinion of the instructor of the Certification Class that I attended that local building department enforcement would be a logical outcome. However, until the legalities are untangled, codified and adopted, the only enforcement is EPA.
 
HUD standards are more stringent than the EPA. No matter what you do, even if it is cutting in a single old work box, you should follow lead safe practices. I have said this in other related posts. If you fail to follow lead safe, you could be held liable down the road because you knew what lead safe practices were...but did not use them. Better safe than sorry. Not overly hard to do, and with properly explained, might get you some extra $$$.

c2500
 
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