2005 Regional Environmental Summit: Promoting Environmental Responsibility Providence, Rhode Island - September 28-29, 2005 Session 6A : Reducing Building Hazards for Homeowners & Businesses Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification - The Time is Now Thomas E. Armstrong, Principal Environmental Planner Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Technical & Customer Assistance

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Technical and Customer Assistance Environmental Compliance Certification Program for Exterior Lead Paint Removal Contractors

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Project Partners U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Rhode Island Department of Health Rhode Island Housing Resources Commission University of Rhode Island, Center for Pollution Prevention & Environmental Health

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program?  Exterior lead paint removal contractors can now self-certify to RIDEM that they are complying with environmental regulatory requirements that apply to their business.  RIDEM’s Air Pollution Regulation # 24  Pre-Renovation Education Rule (Federal) The program uses four components: 1. Certification Workbook 2.Certification Participation Form & Checklist 3.Project Checklist 4.Training

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program? new An additional resource, for painting contractors who participate in the program or wish to consider it, persons wishing to view the list of certified contractors, and the general public seeking information about lead paint removal, is RIDEM’s new Exterior Lead Paint Removal webpage, launched in April 2005 and found at:

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program?  The Certification Workbook explains the requirements that apply to exterior lead paint removal, and how to make sure you are complying with them.  The workbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the Certification Checklist Package, and can also be used as a reference for your exterior lead paint removal operations. Environmental Compliance Certification Program Certification Workbook For Exterior Lead Paint Removal Contractors March 2005 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Technical and Customer Assistance 235 Promenade Street, Suite 250 Providence, RI (401)

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program?  The Certification Workbook covers the following areas: Program Overview Facts about Lead RIDEM’s Air Pollution Regulation # 24 Federal Pre-Renovation Education Rule Lead-Safe Paint Removal Management Practices Worker Health and Safety Information Laboratory Information Additional Resources for Information Environmental Compliance Certification Program Certification Workbook For Exterior Lead Paint Removal Contractors March 2005 Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Office of Technical and Customer Assistance 235 Promenade Street, Suite 250 Providence, RI (401)

 The Certification Checklist Package contains the Certification Participation Form & Checklist, and the Project Checklist, which contain a series of environmental compliance questions pertaining to whether or not you are following the applicable federal and state environmental regulatory requirements.  It also contains blank forms that can be copied and used in helping to fulfill environmental regulatory requirements. The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program?

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program? o An industry stakeholder group met in late 2004 and early 2005 to review and give input on program design o A Program Introduction & Training workshop for paint removal contractors was held in May 2005 o Future training will be based on evaluation by RIDEM staff relative to training needs, as well as feedback from participating contractors and project stakeholders

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program?  Participation in the program is voluntary  Contractors that perform exterior lead paint removal should strongly consider participating BUT  All exterior lead paint removal contractors (all persons, for that matter) operating in the State of Rhode Island must comply with the requirements in the workbook and all environmental regulations, whether or not they self- certify

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program What is the Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program? There are benefits to contractors who participate:  Receiving information and education on methods of complying with environmental regulations that apply to removing exterior lead paint  Making contractors better prepared for a random inspection of work being performed  Entitling contractors to free technical assistance from RIDEM’s Office of Technical & Customer Assistance to comply with environmental regulations.  Being placed on a public list of certified paint contractors on RIDEM’s website  Using the RIDEM Certification as a marketing tool with customers  Receiving a Certificate of Participation from RIDEM  Receiving educational and promotional materials

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Certificate of Participation is hereby granted to Little Rhody Painting Inc. For certifying to compliance with applicable environmental regulatory requirements pertaining to removal of exterior lead-based paint Certification Number: 001 Date: April 15, 2005 Expires: September 30, 2007 Ronald Gagnon, PE, Chief Office of Technical & Customer Assistance

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Program Timelines  Workbooks and checklists were mailed in April 2005 to exterior painting contractors  Program introduction and training was held in May 2005; attendance was not required to participate  To participate and begin receiving benefits, a contractor completes the Certification Participation Form & Checklist and returns it to RIDEM  Certification will take place every two years. Workbooks & Checklists are expected to be sent again in 2007

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program 1.Read the Certification Workbook to understand your environmental responsibilities 2.Make a copy of the Certification Participation Form & Checklist to use as a working draft 3.Read the checklist, and complete all of the questions 4.Review the checklist for completeness Steps to take to participate

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Steps to take to participate 5.Review your Certification Participation Form & Checklist for completeness and accuracy. Once complete: Copy your answers from the draft Sign the certification statement Make a copy of the completed certification checklist for your files Mail the original signed copy to RIDEM

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Early Program Results Thirty-one (31) persons attended the Program Introduction & Training workshop held in May 2005 As of mid-September, twenty (20) painting contractors have certified their compliance with applicable regulations and are participating Based on contacts being made with RIDEM staff, the Exterior Lead Paint Removal website is being used by contractors and the general public

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Next Steps The next phase of the Project will concentrate on the following areas:  Program education & outreach  Inspections/audits to measure regulatory compliance

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Actions to be Taken in Next Phase Periodic meetings with project stakeholders to report and discuss progress, discuss problems and potential solutions, outreach opportunities Advertising & program promotion, using paid and non-paid sources Continued collaboration with state and federal agencies, and organizations involved with lead paint issues Providing educational and promotional materials to participants Continue to maintain Exterior Lead Paint Removal webpage, track webpage hits and make enhancements, additions, and improvements as warranted.

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Actions to be Taken in Next Phase Compliance audits of exterior lead paint removal projects, and analysis Workshops for participants (1-2 hours in length), topics to be based on feedback from project stakeholders, participating contractors, and RIDEM staff

The Exterior Lead Paint Removal Certification Program Contact Information Thomas E. Armstrong, Principal Environmental Planner RI Department of Environmental Management Office of Technical & Customer Assistance Telephone: (401) , Ext RIDEM Exterior Lead Paint Removal Web Address: