EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

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fenestrationman
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:15 pm

EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

#1 Post by fenestrationman »

I have been hearing rumblings that the opt out provision has been taken out of the rules. I have not seen anything formal though. Anyone know for sure?

Thanks,

Window4U (IL)
Posts: 1548
Joined: Thu Oct 07, 2004 8:46 am
Location: Sales and Installation in Chicagoland and Central Illinois

Re: EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

#2 Post by Window4U (IL) »

The EPA put the removal of the Opt-out on it's website but for some reason it's been taken back down. Hopefully there is some bribe money changing hands. :mrgreen:
One good thing is that if they did eliminate it we will have 60 days before its official removal takes effect.

fenestrationman
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:15 pm

Re: EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

#3 Post by fenestrationman »

I read this in Window and Door magazine today.

With the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule going into effect today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the elimination of the "opt-out" provision. It also announced plans to add "dust wipe" testing requirements and its " intention to regulate renovations on the exteriors of public and commercial buildings."

The announcement with this information appeared on the Lead in the News page of the EPA Web site earlier this morning. It has since has been removed, but Window & Door will continue to check for further updates.

The fact that the announcement that appeared on the EPA site was taken down could be the result of a procedural issue and "may not mean anything," states David Walker, vice president of the Window & Door Dealers Alliance. "The announcement could, however, have also featured material misrepresentations. That gives us some hope."

"This is just another example of how poorly the EPA has communicated this message to our industry," comments Ty Schwartz, vice president of sales and marketing at Gorell Windows & Doors, on the situation.

With the elimination of the "opt-out" provision in the final rule, "renovation firms will no longer be exempted from the training and work practice requirements of the RRP rule by obtaining certification from the owner of a residence that no child under age six or pregnant woman resides in the home and the home is not a child-occupied facility," EPA states. Although the announcement comes today, the end of the opt-out provision will not go into effect until 60 days after publication in the federal register.

"To strengthen the 2008 RRP rule," EPA is also proposing to require renovation firms to perform dust wipe testing after certain renovations and provide the results of the testing to the owners and occupants of the building. Further details are not yet available, but EPA states that "for a subset of the dustiest renovations, renovation firms would have to demonstrate, through dust wipe testing, that the dust lead levels remaining after the renovation are below the regulatory hazard standards."

The agency says it will take comments on the "dust wipe testing" proposal for 60 days and expects to finalize the rule by July 2011.

Finally, EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to announce EPA's intention to regulate renovations on the exteriors of public and commercial buildings. The Advance Notice also announces EPA's investigation into lead-based paint hazards that may be created by renovations on the interior of these public and commercial buildings. If EPA determines that lead-based paint hazards are created by interior renovations, EPA will propose regulations to address the hazards.

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toddinmn
Posts: 1067
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:02 pm

Re: EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

#4 Post by toddinmn »

I know of 2 window manufacture's that shut down there in-house installs down completely because of the liability.These rules will apply even if you are doing 1 storm window from the exterior.

Delaware Mike
Posts: 920
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 10:44 am
Location: South Jersey, Delaware, Philadelphia area

Re: EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

#5 Post by Delaware Mike »

I would imagine that a lot of older mail boxes that have been painted over the years may have lead based paint on them. They get opened by federal employees 6 days a week and that paint could get disturbed and go air born. We better put aside billions to test all mail boxes and the blood work of all postal employees!

buddy11
Posts: 780
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:48 pm
Location: Lower Hudson Valley NY

Re: EPA's Lead safe work practices - opt out

#6 Post by buddy11 »

Opt out is safe for 2 more months. Then it's all gone :roll:

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