EPA Lead Safe Firm

Federal law requires that homeowners receive certain information before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects, or more than twenty square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects in housing, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978.

Homeowners and tenants: Renovators must give you a pamphlet before starting work.

Child care facilities, including pre-schools and kindergarten classrooms and the families of children under the age of 6 that attend those facilities: Renovators must provide a copy a pamphlet to child care facilities and general renovation information to families whos’ children attend those facilities.

Also beginning in April 2010 Federal Law will require contractors that disturb lead based paint in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Therefore beginning in April 2010, ask to see your contractors certification.

EPA Certified Firm Certificate

EPA Renovator Refresher Certificate

Make sure your contractor works for a certified firm and is a certified renovator, make sure your contractor can explain clearly the details of the job and how the contractor will minimize the lead hazards during the work.

Ask if the contractor is trained to perform lead safe work practices and to see a copy of their training certificate.

Ask them what lead safe methods they will use to set up and perform the job in your home, child care facility or school.

Ask if the contractor is aware of the lead renovation rules. For example, contractors are required to provide you with a copy of a pamphlet before beginning work. A sample pre-renovation disclosure form is provided at the back of this pamphlet. Contractors may use this form to make documentation of compliance easier.

Effective July 6, 2010 Thier will no longer be the option to opt-out from having lead safe work practices performed on your building.Read The Law

Disclaimer- the above information is excerpts from the Renovate Right brochure for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools. It should not be considered a substitute for the actual EPA pamphlet which goes into much more detail about lead and safe working practices dealing with lead. To obtain the full document go to Renovate Rig