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Lead Paint Regulations May Add $4 Billion to Cost of Remodeling Projects Nationally Per Year
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is due to issue its long overdue lead-safe work practice regulations for the remodeling industry by the end of 2005. Coincidently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is currently reviewing whether or not to reopen its Lead in Construction rule.
Current lead-based paint (LBP) rules apply to all residential and multifamily structures built prior to 1978 that might be occupied by a child under the age of six (approximately 68% of existing housing was built prior to 1978). In 2000 EPA estimated mandatory regulations would cost the industry $2-$4 billion annually.
A Proposed Solution
In order to help achieve favorable outcomes from both agencies, NAHB is preparing a research project. A main objective of the project is to provide data that accurately reflects the LBP exposures and associated risks caused by R&R activities, as well as identify cost effective and feasible work practices NAHB members could employ to further reduce LBP risks/exposures while complying with all EPA and OSHA requirements. In an attempt to support a regulatory approach focusing only on those units with the highest likelihood of lead hazards, the study will aim to show that the most stringent requirements should be placed only on housing constructed before 1960.
It is important to note that since this is research, the outcome is unknown. While it is presumed that the research design will yield successful results, it is possible that the outcome will not be favorable. However, without the supporting data which the research can provide, R&R contractors will be hard pressed to present regulators with a defensible alternative to potentially onerous regulations.
What NAHB Needs From You
Member assistance is essential to conduct and complete this study in a timely fashion. Each of the above scenarios requires member assistance/participation in the following ways:
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Providing access to appropriate structures, which preferably:
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Are unoccupied, pre-tested for the presence of lead (at NAHB’s expense), and meet a preselected age criteria
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Have an owner (and contractor) willing to participate in this study
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Are available for testing this winter (Jan. – Mar. `06) as EPA’s rule is likely to be open for comment during that time frame
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Providing access to job sites where specific R&R activities are being conducted, including (but not limited to):
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A willingness to volunteer and appropriately train your work crews. This requires:
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At a minimum, a supervisor must complete the 8 hour EPA/HUD lead-safe work practices training course and then in turn train the work crew
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Compliance with all applicable OSHA requirements while conducting research activities
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If necessary, a willingness to send trained work crews to available test sites in other cities
To participate, or for more information, please contact the following NAHB staff:
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