Comments on: EPA Lead Rules and the Monkees of Nikko Toshogo

By: El Diabl

El Diabl — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 11:42:17 +0000

It’s almost April and after reading and conversing with remodelers all of the country, it seems like the EPA rule is unknown or still confusing to most contractors, even the ones who have taken the class..

There is still a large about of contractors and subcontractors that have no idea about the rule and are not certified as of yet..

I think we are going to see a major fall out come April 22 2010….

Lots of un-certified contractors, lack of public knowledge and enforcement are starting to make the deadline date look very unrealistic..

By: John Williams

John Williams — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:03:09 +0000

With the April 2010 EPA lead dust requirements fast
approaching is important to remember the EPA’s
recommendations for a lead safe work environment.
Remember to follow these simple procedures:

1. Contain the work area. Take steps to seal off the
work area so that dust and debris do not escape.
Warning signs should be put up and heavy-duty plastic
and tape should be used to cover the floors and
furniture and seal off doors and heating and cooling
system vents.

2. Minimize dust. Use work practices that minimize the
dust generated during renovation and repair by using
water to mist areas before sanding or scraping; scoring
paint before separating components; and prying and
pulling apart components instead of breaking them.
Dangerous practices such as open flame burning or
torching and using power tools without HEPA vacuum
attachments are prohibited by the rule because they
generate large amounts of lead-contaminated dust.

3. Clean up thoroughly. Work diligently every day to
keep the work area as clean as possible. When all the
work is done, the area should be cleaned up using
special cleaning methods including the use of a HEPA
vacuum and wet mopping.

April is right around the corner and certain elements
are required now. If you don’t currently have a
containment system in use, or if yours is slow to install,
check out ZipWall’s new ZipPole system.

By: Silvertree

Silvertree — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:02:28 +0000

The building community has been little help. Some contractors have said this will be a good way to separate ourselves from the unlicensed guys. Sure, they will be good guys to some people for keeping costs down.

Some NARI leaders are saying this is good for NARI members, perhaps forgetting there are many good contractors out there who are not NARI members who feel differently.

I took the class on Tuesday and it was even worse than I thought. We’ll have to support ourselves on this agenda, as an industry and that’s what I’m working to do.

By: Shawn McCadden

Shawn McCadden — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:54:03 +0000

I think Dusty was right on when he said: “This is clearly a law that was implemented out of emotion”. Lots of good intentions here, but little in the way of real experience and the practical knowledge required to do it in a sensible and economically feasible way. Unfortunately, this regulation, like many others under this current administration, will break our backs due to poorly thought out plans for implementation, or perhaps a lack of any plan for implementation.

How’s that hope and change going for you?

By: Dusty

Dusty — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:02:48 +0000

This is clearly a law that was implemented out of emotion by the EPA. And it is obvious that the EPA did not involve and work with the correct parties when writting the new rules. Union Heads do not count.

What this could do to America’s housing market bothers me. Renovations and repairs are expensive. Even at today’s pricing many find it difficult to come up with the money for needed repairs. Added cost could force many homes into delapitation and/or abandonment especially homes in the inner cities and investment properties.

I think think the new rules are going to turn many good contractors into criminals because they can not afford the EPA course and certification. Most of us live in areas where we can sustain enough business to stay afloat. But what about the contractors who live in dieing areas of our country. Area where it is just not possible to pass additional cost onto customers because the money just isn’t there.

As for the Painters who do exterior work–Your probably better off investing in a good break and learning how to install siding.

By: Chad

Chad — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:46:52 +0000

So lets see, increased labor costs, increased material costs, increased insurance costs, the costs of proper training, the costs of supervision of this work, EPA fines (not to mention more OSHA regulations that I’m sure will come in regards to this work), the lawyers are licking their chops, and diminished property values. What else can we do to screw with the stability of our industry?

I don’t mind some more awareness being efforted here with suggested methods of handling but I don’t think more government involvement is what we need in our lives right now. There has to be an easier way to implement some changes in the way we work to satisfy all parties. I can guarantee that if this procedes as it currently stands that it won’t stop there. Special interest groups always want more.

By: Owen Sechrist

Owen Sechrist — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:20:41 +0000

If the regs push down the value of city homes it will be interesting to see what happens in terms of demolishing them.

After all, aren’t you creating a huge amount of dust when you demo a whole structure? Do the new regs address this?

I think the new regs are overboard. I’d be willing to bet I could take my normal jobsite procedures with mimimal modifications and pass a lead test.

They were obviously written by people without extensive remodeling knowledge. How do you work on top of heavy duty plastic spread on the floor? That stuff is more slippery than a bowling alley.

By: Ned Overton

Ned Overton — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:48:22 +0000

The first stage of this law went into effect December 2008 and it seems as though no one, that being the know it alls, the gurus, industry leaders, has heard of it.

My overhead has already been affected because I provide a copy of the Renovate Right pamphlet to my clients, 2 of my employees have attended the certification training, I sent in my $300.00 to receive my Firm certification, and have spent numerous hours researching the program and communicating with my insurance broker, who was clueless in regards to the “law”.