A Rockland, Maine, contractor is facing $150,000 in fines for allegedly violating the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule in October 2010. The RRP rule is a federal renovation rule that also applies to sanding work done by wood flooring contractors.
A Rockland, Maine, contractor is facing $150,000 in fines for allegedly violating the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule in October 2010. The RRP rule is a federal renovation rule that also applies to sanding work done by wood flooring contractors.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was tipped to the violations by an anonymous YouTube user who secretly recorded the contractor's work crew and posted the video online. This is the first time an official fine will be handed down for violations under the RRP rule.
Here is the YouTube video that started it all:
Contractor Colin Wentworth-who had completed the eight-hour Lead Safe Renovator training class-failed to train his employees on proper operation of high-speed dust-generating power tools for an exterior repainting job, according to an EPA release. Specifically, the EPA found that Wentworth failed to: obtain required certification from EPA as a renovation firm; post warning signs in the work area; cover the work area with plastic sheeting to collect falling lead paint debris; contain waste from the renovation activities; prohibit use of machines that remove lead-based paint through high speed operation without HEPA exhaust controls; and establish and maintain records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the RRP rule.
At the time of the remodeling work, six children lived in the four-unit building Wentworth's crew was repainting. Infants and children, the EPA added, are "especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure," which could lead to lead poisoning.
"In New England we have a high proportion of older houses where lead paint can still be present," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. "It is critically important that all tradespeople understand and follow the RRP requirements so that during renovations, children are not exposed to lead and face serious, life-long health consequences."
For an overview of the RRP rule, see "The New EPA Lead Law Rules Explained." A lead paint violation map is available from Check4Lead, as well.
The maximum penalty for violating the RRP rule is $37,500 per violation per day. The EPA did not report what Wentworth's total fine would be, but the Bangor Daily News said the total was $150,000.
