Posted on 12/23/2008 8:47:25 AM PST by o_zarkman44
Most homeowners and remodeling contractors are probably unaware that the US Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) has new requirements for any remodeling contractor working in a pre-1978 structure. The link provided will send you to a copy of the new EPA brochure currently mandated by law, to be handed out by remodeling contractors to prospective clients including schools, daycare, rental property owners, and homeowners.
A copy of the EPA Brochure is required BY LAW effective Dec22, 2008 (Yesterday) to be provided by the prospective contractor all prospective remodeling clients.
(excerpt)You have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your family, tenants, or children in your care. This means properly preparing for the renovation and keeping persons out of the work area (see p. 8). It also means ensuring the contractor uses lead-safe work practices. Beginning April 2010, federal law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Until contractors are required to be certified, make sure your contractor can explain clearly the details of the job and how the contractor will minimize lead hazards during the work. n Ask if the contractor is trained to perform lead-safe work practices and to see a copy of their training certificate. n Ask them what lead-safe methods they will use to set up and perform the job in your home, child care facility or school. n Ask if the contractor is aware of the lead renovation rules. For example, contractors are required to provide you with a copy of this pamphlet before beginning work. A sample pre-renovation disclosure form is provided at the back of this pamphlet. Contractors may use this form to make documentation of compliance easier. n Ask for references from at least three recent jobs involving homes built before 1978, and speak to each personally.
“You may think you are immune.”
Dude, I’m a Mechanical Contractor. I’ve had to comply with so many EPA HVAC requirements, certifications, additional education (at a cost) in addition to your normal hourly State requirements in the last 25 years, the list is too long to type.
They change coolants and disposal requirements faster than...
I didn’t think my original post implied that “I felt immuned”.
I guess you know about new EPA indoor air proposals then.
It’s all about protecting the children.......!! /sarc
It costs my Commercial Property Owners but in the end they feel up to date and UP TO CODE!
We are Commercial (CMC) not Residential (CAC). CMC licenses are a bit harder to come by and maintain but you absolutely HAVE to keep up with EPA requirements.
If I'm licensed to build a nuclear power plant you can be sure I'm up on EPA requirements.
I live in an area that would be totally without any housing or any commercial buildings if older buildings were forbidden to be bought/sold.
I heard a story a few years ago about some California buyers and a local home built circa-1920. They hired an inspector who saw lathe & plaster construction, called it asbestos and killed the sale. It is presently, IIRC, being rented.
The towns around here are full of Victorian homes that once sold for $40k (1970s) and today go for $250k.
In my township, we still don’t have building permits and most renovations are done by the owner.
Hopefully, by the time this crap reaches us and we are forced to sell due to age, the land price will compensate for the building losses. What will they do about resident bats and mice, I wonder? There are legitimate reasons to be concerned about them, but it is impossible to not have them in the country.
Maybe the bureaucracy will just collapse under its own weight by then.
The idiocy is staggering. I’m still scratching my head over where in the Constitution it gives the FedGov power to even run an agency like the EPA.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.