EPA rules concerning the safe handling of lead based paint in homes, schools, and childcare facilities built before 1978 comes in response to extensive research that connected exposure to lead based paint with severe health effects in adults and children, the worst of which include brain damage and physical growth abnormalities to children under 6 years old.
Environmental health research has revealed that children who grow up in housing developments that contain lead paint were more likely to present lower IQs, behavioral issues, and developmental problems both mentally and physically. The risk of lead based paint exposure becomes even greater when this lead based paint is disturbed by construction, removal attempts, or failure to isolate a working area from non-contaminated areas. Lead safety training teach contractors to safely work in areas that may contain lead based paint to reduce the risk of lead contamination.
In order to make sure professionals who are at-risk of distributing lead dust and contaminating work areas, such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters, engineers, and architects, are in compliance with EPA rules, it is now mandatory under federal law to complete an EPA-approved lead safety course and earn lead RRP certification before working in facilities built before 1978. Lead RRP (renovation, repair, and painting) certification aims to keep contractors and their clients safe from lead based pain exposure.
Lead safety training and acquisition of an EPA lead certificate can protect you and your employees from extremely expensive EPA fines. Violators of lead safety best practices may find themselves going out of business by attempting to skirt these new EPA rules by continuing to work in pre-1978 buildings without EPA certification. Lead safety certification will ensure that you and your colleagues are in compliance with EPA rules, so please do not hesitate to enroll in an EPA-approved lead RRP certification course.