Posted:
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Category:
Ethics & Compliance
Safety and health are always a primary concern in the workplace. In most instances, these things are monitored and regulated by OSHA. However, the EPA has stepped in more recently to set the standards for training of construction workers and contractors when it comes to dealing with old homes and buildings. Anyone who is involved in building, remodeling, repairing, or even painting buildings that were built before 1978 and where children might be present have to take a lead training course offered by an EPA training center that is certified to offer the course.
The course is a one-day course, which focuses on the hazards of lead paint, safe worksite issues, and cleanup of lead based paint for the construction industry. Once the course has been completed, students can apply for their EPA certification, which is held under the TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) Section 402. This is just one more way that the EPA is doing their part to make sure that everyone is taking safety and health seriously when it comes to toxic substances. While there have been many issues regarding lead based paint in the past, this new training course is designed to make a serious impact on the proper handling of the situation by contractors and their employees.
The new mandates will go into effect as of April 2010, which means that contractors and construction workers that are affected have about six months to attend training and get their certification so that they can continue to work without incident. Many people don’t realize how big of an issue that there still is with lead-based paint in homes that were built prior to 1978, but there is definitely more that needs to be done for the situation. By requiring contractors and their employees to take EPA training courses on the subject, the hopes of the EPA are that lead paint will be identified sooner, removed properly, and cleaned up in the most environmentally friendly manner possible.
Lead paint is dangerous in many ways. It can cause learning and developmental disabilities in small children, and there are usually no symptoms or signs or trouble. There isn’t usually a problem with lead paint until it is disturbed due to deterioration, remodeling, repairs, or other construction, causing particles of dust to get into the air. These particles are invisible to the naked eye and can cause serious damage without warning, which is why this course has been developed and mandated for those working within the construction industry.
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