Most frequently asked questions concerning the New RRP Rule
This new Federal EPA Renovation Remodeling and Painting (RRP) Law that went into effect on April 22, 2010can be confusing. So to help you better understand who requires certification and other important items about the new law, here is a brief Q & A from Jane Villebrun at the Environmental Services Office.
What does the law say?
This training certification is required for any contractor involved in any construction activity that will or has the potential to disturb lead based paint. The new EPA rule will directly affect ALL paid renovators who work in pre-1978 housing and child-occupied facilities, including: renovation contractors, maintenance workers in multi-family housing, painters and other specialty trades. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis. The requirements apply to renovation, repair or painting activities. The rule does not apply to minor maintenance or repair activities where less than six square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed in a room or where less then 20 square feet of lead-based paint is disturbed on the exterior. Window replacement is not minor maintenance or repair.
Who is affected?
Remodelers, window installers, door installers, painters, insulation contractors, electricians, plumbers, siding contractors and any other contractor working in pre-1978 housing where there is a risk that lead paint or dust will be disturbed. Under the rule, child-occupied facilities are defined as residential, public or commercial buildings where children under age six are present on a regular basis.
About the Training Certification Course
This 8-hour certification course was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to train renovation, repair and painting contractors how to work safely in housing with lead-based paint and complies with the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, and HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule. This course certifies the individual, not the firm (read below on firm certification).
Who from my company needs the training certification?
It could be the owner, your project manager, superintendent, crew leader. To be in compliance with the law, the certificate holder must have their certificate onsite and be available by phone at all times.
How long is the training certification good for?
The training certification is good for five years.
How much does the certification course cost?
In Minnesota$225.00
Minnesota has 4 RRP training providers:
M & J Environmental Institute
Maple Grove, MN
612-730-1728
Midwest Environmental Consulting
145 – 2nd Avenue SE
Cambridge, MN 55008
Tel. 763-691-0653
Sustainable Resources Center
1081 Tenth Avenue S.E.
Minneapolis, MN55414
612-870-4255
612-870-0729 fax
University of North Dakota Environmental Training Institute
To contact UND:
Tel: 701-777-2011
Toll Free: 1-800-CALL-UND
What if the certified individual leaves my company?
The certification stays with the individual so if he/she leaves your company and they are the only one from your company that is certified, then you are non-compliant. After successfully completing the course, the certified individual will get their photo taken by the instructor which will get embedded onto the certificate they will either be mailed or emailed (if email is provided).A copy of thecertificate must remain on the jobsite at all times.
What if I’m caught non-compliant?
The EPA states on their website that those found not in non-compliance could face hefty daily fines of up to $37,500 per day until both the individual and firm are compliant. I will say this, there are many companies signed up for these courses, obviously some of them are your competitors, if they have to go through this, they will make sure you will too. You don’t want to get caught – plain and simple.
How long is the training course?
The course is approximately 8.5 hours long.
Firm Certification Vs. Individual Certification
Firm certification is completely separate from the individual certification training course. Each firm (company) doing any type of construction in pre-1978 housing must also get their firm certified. You can send this paperwork in before or after you get an individual certified. To get your firm certified, you’ll simply fill out the EPA’s firm application and mail it to the EPA with a $300 check. The firm certification is valid for five years.
If you provide this service to the Bois Forte Reservation you may request aBois Forte, Firms Application with payment of $20.00 make check payable to Bois Forte Environmental Services.
Don’t be fooled!
There are out-of-town firms holding similar classes to ours who are claiming to be certified instructors (some may be and some may not). They also claim that you will receive the certification you need to be compliant with the new Federal law now in affect on April 22, 2010.