Firms and workers who engage in activities that may disturb lead-coated surfaces on pre-1978 residential property are required to be certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency recently streamlined the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule that governs the training of related workers. These workers will now be permitted to meet the training requirement of re-certification through an online course every other re-certification period.
Specifically, online training course completion will result in a certification that must be renewed after 3 years after which the worker will be required to once again complete a hands-on refresher course. Completion of hands-on training will result in a certification for 5 years. Initial certification requires that workers successfully complete an 8-hour training course that includes a hands-on module. These changes apply to states where EPA administers the certification program.
The permitting program for firms, individuals and training providers that operate across states has also been streamlined. Now, only one permit will be required to operate in all EPA-administered jurisdictions. A list of states that administer their own certifications and other information about the regulation can be found by clicking here. Members are strongly advised to check state requirements to ensure they are in compliance.
NMHC/NAA supported the initial proposal to streamline the refresher training because we believed that this was a cost effective way to monitor the skills of workers.
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