Lead Safe Practices and how they affect your project

If you've been around Rebuilding Together in the last 6 months or so (or if you are in the construction industry), you've heard about the new EPA Renovate, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule that went into effect April 22, 2010.  The ruling states that if you are disturbing more than 6 square feet of interior painted space or 20 square feet exterior on a home built prior to 1978, you must use lead-safe practices led by a certified lead-safe renovator.

This ruling primarily affects the painting we do, although some of the other repairs and upgrades we do might also fall within this rule (i.e. replacing windows, doors, etc.)  In preparation for our upcoming Rebuilding Day on October 23, we have been gathering additional information on all recommended pre-1978 projects, particularly if they have painting, interior or exterior, on their list.

Once you have been matched with a project, you will receive a link to your Online Project Scope.  In that scope, I will provide you with particulars about your project in relation to any lead paint issues that may be present on your project.  Then, I will wait to hear from you once you have visited the site and developed your scope of work by prioritizing and narrowing the task list into what is doable in one day, with limited budget, time, volunteers, skills, etc.  If after creating your scope you still have painting on the list, we will get to work organizing a prep team, led by one of our Certified Lead-Safe Renovators (volunteers who have gone through the certification and agreed to lead volunteer teams) to prep your home prior to Rebuilding Day.  (This is another reason to get your Online Scope into us on time!)

The goal is for this small volunteer team, led by a Certified Renovator, to do any scraping (following the lead safe practices outlined in the RRP) prior to Rebuilding Day so that your team can begin painting right away on Rebuilding Day.  Certainly if any of your team members want to volunteer to help with this, that would be greatly appreciated.  Most prepping will likely take place on the weekends leading up to Rebuilding Day.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about this ruling.

If you'd like to learn more about the RRP, you can find more details on this website.