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Sixteen painting, remodeling, roofing and other contractors nationwide have been caught by federal authorities for violating the lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.
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Baltimike / Wikimedia Commons
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The RRP rule requires that contractors who work on pre-1978 homes and child-occupied facilities be trained and certified to use lead-safe work practices.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the enforcement actions, which consists of 13 administrative settlements and three complaints, on Wednesday (Nov.14).
The roundup includes at least nine residential and commercial painting contractors.
Serious Violators, Fines
The EPA says the cases address many serious RRP Rule violations, including the companies' failure to:
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Follow lead-safe work practices at properties where children lived;
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Obtain firm certification before performing or offering renovations services on pre-1978 homes; and
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Provide EPA’s “Renovate Right” pamphlet to homeowners and occupants.
Under each settlement, the respondent was required to certify that it had come into compliance with the RRP Rule. The EPA assessed civil penalties totaling $53,792 for those settlements.
In the three administrative complaints that the agency filed, it seeks civil penalties up to the statutory maximum of $37,500 per violation.
RRP Enforcement Actions
EPA settled cases with the following companies. Details of each case, including links to the settlement documents, are available by clicking on the company name.
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Kindred Painting LLC of Dover, NH
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Universal Remodeling and Building LLC of Stratford, CT
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DiGiorgi Roofing and Siding Inc. of Beacon Falls, CT
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Exterior Images of Derry, NH
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Dasa Properties LLC of Buffalo, NY
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Leanza Painting Contractors Inc. of Morristown, NJ
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Mac Stringer Painting and Staining of Ontario, NY
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Hometown Painting Inc. of Warrendale, IL
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Alliance Contracting & Design of Bay City, MI
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Scheffler Painting of Trenton, MI
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Spartan Painting of Haslett, MI
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Wildwood Apartments of Jackson, MI
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Sunshine Home Improvement LLC of Lenexa, KS
The agency has issued administrative complaints against the following businesses. More information is available by clicking on the company name below.
The RRP rule requires that contractors who work on pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities be trained and certified to use lead-safe work practices. EPA finalized the RRP rule in 2008; it took effect April 22, 2010.
“At least 4 million households with children have lead paint, and over a half million children have elevated levels of lead in their blood. But lead exposure is preventable when you know what to look for and what to do,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
“These settlements serve as an important reminder of the importance of using lead-safe practices to protect the health of our children and prevent lead poisoning.”
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It is finally happening. EPA IS enforcing RRP.
What wasn't mentioned in this article is that 8 of the companies' fines were reduced to $1008-$5558 because they were considered "microbusinesses" with <$300,000 annual revenue and/or at risk of failure if fined heavily. EPA is taking into account that small businesses shouldn't be closed down because of RRP violations. On the other hand, Collegiate Entrepreneurs working at 82 sites across the country got 101 violations and may be fined up to the maximum of $37,500 FOR EACH. This could be up to $3.8 million.
Of 16 companies: 9 are painting; 4 remodeling; 2 property management; and 1 a national RRP training company. Shows the responsibilities for RRP go beyond just painting companies to landlords, general contractors, and training co.
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