Since January, we have held over 80 EPA RRP training for contractors. I have kept a journal of real life stories from contractors who have personal experiences with lead poisoning. I am going to share some of these real life stories over the coming months. My hope is that you will be able to relate with real life stories from residential contractors dealing with lead poisoning.

There are few resources available today for contractors seeking factual information about the EPA RRP Lead Rule. One can go to the EPA or states websites and scour through all the documents and still not find what they were looking for. Many have shared with us they are more confused after taking a such a stroll. Some rely on the internet and trade organizations only to find that there are many conflicting view points and opinions.

While at the Mass DOS/OSHA Workshop at UMass we were told about the enforcement efforts currently underway in Mass. DOS is going out into the field and catching contractors not following the RRP Lead Rule. OSHA inpsectors are instructed to stop by any job they see with violations. 

Again, this week I received numerous calls from contractors on how someone can report RRP violations to the EPA. The recent willingness of contractors seeking avenues to report violators is gaining momentum. Compliant contractors throughout New England and New York are frustrated with the lack of enforcement on non-compliant companies. They tell us that many consumers are opting for companies from the underground contracting.

Last week at the Baltimore Remodeling Show I attended the keynote address presented by Remodeling Industry Expert,  Shawn McCadden. He shared his thoughts and insights about the future of the remodeling industry.

The recent Massachusetts takeover (7/9/2010) of the EPA RRP Lead Law is causing widespread headaches and confusion among contractors in the state. We have spoke with many lumberyards and building officials who are not aware of the changes. Many still believe that the EPA Memo of 6/18/2010, delaying enforcement of fines, is still in effect in Massachusetts. This is not the case. When Mass Department of Safety took over the law this nullified the EPA extension in the state. Currently any contractor who works on pre-1978 properties, who is not certified, is non-compliant. This change has caught many with their pants down and exposed to fines and work stoppages if they are caught. I spoke with a lumberyard today and they were under the impression that contractors have until 12/31/2010 to obtain the training. The fact is in Mass contractors must be trained now.

On June 18th, 2010 the EPA posted a memo that delayed enforcement and fines for Firm Certification until 9/30/10 and Certified Renovator Training until 12/31/2010. This memo also stated that untrained contractors performing work on pre-1978 homes must follow and be compliant with the RRP Lead Rule. The content of the memo has caused a significant downturn in the number of contractors signing up for the mandatory training. Many lumberyards have told us that contractors think they have until next year to do training and many contractors are claiming that the law will be reversed. In Massachusetts putting off the training and certification is going to be costly for contractors.

On 6/18/2010 the EPA issued a memo about enforcement delays. The Contractor Coaching Partnership has received numerous calls from contractors who are now more confused than before. One remodeler commented "does this mean I have nothing to worry about until the end of December?" Another said "does this mean I don't need to use mountains of plastic or buy a HEPA Vac until December?"  Another said "see, I told you so, the EPA will never enforce this. It is just a scare tactic from government to get our money". A contractor from Boston said "the National Home Builders Association will force them to delay it or repeal it."

Massachusetts will soon become the 9th state to enforce and administer the EPA RRP Lead Rule. The state filed emergency legislation on April 2nd to begin the process that will lead to local enforcement. This change will provide local service from state government officials for contractors and property owners who must comply with the new law. The state filed today. Once approved the Department of Occupational Safety will run the program.

Yesterday, the EPA formally announced that they will delay enforcement actions for violations of the RRP Rule certification requirement. The EPA has admitted that their efforts to fully implement the program as written and amended, has failed to produce the desired results.