Tired of Training? There's More Coming!

OK...most of us working in construction in Nevada have obtained our OSHA 30 or OSHA 10 certifications. We're ready to hit the jobsite. Right? Wrong! Many builders and contractors who are doing small remodeling jobs while they wait for our market to stabilize are now faced with a new, pretty unpleasant mandate: Lead Certification!

The short "heads up" is that this is the brand new Lead Renovator, Repair and Painting program (LRRP) that we’re talking about, NOT the prior lead abatement program. It’s a new regulation adopted by EPA, effective in April 2010, which requires that all contractors who perform renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 where children may be present must be certified by the EPA and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Failure to follow the rule can result in severe civil penalties and other unpleasantness. And by severe civil penalties, I mean fines of up to $37,500 per day per violation, not to mention exposure to civil liability actions with treble damages. Like I said, unpleasant.

Taken to a penultimate scenario, suppose you're all set to remodel the kitchen of an empty-nester, retired couple who plan to invite their grandchildren over for Christmas next year. They don't have children living in the home, so you're not required to comply with LRRP, right? Wrong again! Notice the "where children may be present" requirement? To remodel this kitchen, you must comply with LRRP.

The best thing a building company can do is to have a LRRP-certified person present within your company. Better yet, have two--you'll need one available in case the other is on vacation or is sick....or leaves to move somewhere where the snow doesn't fall and the cost of living is low.

Visit our website for a training schedule. We'll be adding more lead training classes in April, and will continue to offer them regularly. An OSHA training schedule is also posted. I guess the old saying is true...."if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"