EPA RRP Trainer Newsletter April 17, 2014 Enforcement news On April 17th, EPA and the Department of Justice announced that Lowe's Home Centers, one of the nation's largest home improvement retailers, agreed to implement a comprehensive, corporate-wide compliance program at its over 1,700 stores nationwide to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. The company will also pay a $500,000 civil penalty, which is the largest ever for violations of the RRP Rule. For more information, click here. Click here for more information about today's settlement: Earlier this year, on February 18th, EPA announced additional enforcement actions that will require 35 home renovation contractors and training providers to take additional steps to protect communities by minimizing harmful lead dust from home renovation activities, as required by the EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Standards. These standards provide important, front- line protection for children and others vulnerable to exposure to lead dust that can cause lead poisoning. The enforcement actions, which all require contractors to certify compliance with the RRP standards, led to more than $274,000 in civil penalties. Click here for more information about these enforcement actions. Re-accreditation reminder Just a reminder that training provider accreditations expire every four years. Be aware of your expiration date and submit your re-accreditation application at least 180 days before the expiration. This will help ensure you're re-accreditation is complete before your current accreditation expires. Firm certification We've heard that some renovation firms have trained employees but don't realize the firm must be certified. Please help us and your students by emphasizing that training is only one step of the certification process, and that the firms they work for must also be certified. Online training course search tool The EPA training search tool, allows renovators to search for trainers and upcoming RRP classes scheduled in their area. The search tool will only show courses submitted using the CDX system. If you are not currently using the CDX In This Issue Enforcement news Re-accreditation reminder Firm certification Online training course search tool Firms can apply online Dust Sampling Technician course Frequent question database FQ highlight Amending your application How long is refresher training valid? Useful Info & Instructions Renovation Regulations Trainer Instructions RRP Materials Logo Use Guidelines RRP Promotional Materials Lead in the News Need Assistance? Frequent Questions Database National Lead Information Center Contact Us http://www.epa. gov/lead EPA Regional Contacts ------- system, and need help registering or have questions contact the CDX helpdesk at 888-890-1995 for assistance getting started. Re-accreditation reminder Just a reminder that training provider accreditations expire every four years. Be aware of your expiration date and submit your re-accreditation application at least 180 days before the expiration. This will help ensure you're re-accreditation is complete before your current accreditation expires. Firms can apply online Did you know that firms applying for EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) certification can apply online? The process is simple, and processing times are greatly reduced compared to paper applications. Firms are able to complete both the application and payment online. Please let your students know that firms should follow this link to apply online. Dust Sampling Technician course The Spanish version of the Dust Sampling Technician refresher course is now available on the web. Frequent question database (FQ database) EPA maintains an online database of Frequent Questions regarding the Agency's Lead Program. It is constantly being updated to ensure that you have access to the very latest information. When questions come up we recommend you first go to the FQ Database, then if you cannot find the answer you're looking for call the National Lead Information Center at i-8oo-424-LEAD(5323). FQ highlight How many paint samples would a renovator need to take to determine if lead paint was present on a staircase? Did you guess five? Take a look at FQ 23002- 33377 for more details! Amending your application If your application information changes, you must submit an amendment within 90 days. Most changes are effective upon submission, except: ------- 1) If you add a training manager or principal instructor they must wait up until the amendment is approved or 30 days have passed before providing training. However, if they were previously approved under another accreditation, they may provide training on an interim basis until approved. 2) If you add a permanent training location you may use the new location on an interim basis until the amendment is approved or 30 days have passed. To amend an accreditation, a training program must submit a completed application signed by the training manager, noting on the form that it is an amendment and indicating the information that has changed. How long is refresher training valid? Certified renovators who complete an accredited refresher training are certified for a period of five years from the date they completed the refresher course, not from the date of expiration of their previous certification. ------- |