EPA takes action against Connecticut contractor for failing to follow lead-safe work practices when renovating
BOSTON (Jan. 25, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached a settlement with a Connecticut-based residential contractor for violations of the federal lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. As a result of the settlement, Bellamy Home Improvement dba Harmony Home Improvement, based in South Windsor, Conn., agreed to pay a penalty of $34,818 and certify compliance with the federal lead-based paint RRP Rule.
"When renovators fail to follow lead-based paint rules, it puts children and families at risk," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "It is of the utmost importance that companies ensure that their workers have the proper lead safety training in order to prevent exposure during home renovations – as there is no safe level of exposure to lead. Lead safe renovations are especially important in areas that have been historically overburdened by environmental pollution, and we'll continue to work to get the lead out of these communities and hold violators accountable."
EPA observed a subcontractor of Bellamy Home Improvement failing to follow lead-safe work practices while removing painted siding from a residence in Manchester, Conn. EPA alleges that Bellamy failed to: provide the owners of several homes built before 1978 where renovations occurred with a lead-hazard information pamphlet prior to beginning the renovation work; ensure that one of the company's subcontractors covered the ground with plastic sheeting to contain lead paint debris; ensure that its subcontractors obtained proper renovator training and certification; and failed to retain all records necessary to demonstrate compliance with the lead-safe work practices required by the RRP Rule.
After observing that the company failed to follow lead-safe work practices at one residence, EPA performed an audit of the company's business records. A sample of six renovation projects that Bellamy subcontracted over the previous two years, including the aforementioned project in Manchester, Conn., was used to evaluate the company's compliance with the RRP Rule. Based on a review of these records, EPA alleged that the company violated the RRP Rule 15 times during six renovation projects in the period audited. The location of one of the renovation projects cited is in an area of environmental justice concern. This inspection was part of EPA New England's Connecticut Geographic Initiative for lead-based paint.
Background
The Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule requirements aim to protect occupants from lead-based paint hazards created by renovation, repair, and painting activities that disturb lead-based paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978. The regulations require contractors, property owners, managers, and others who perform repairs and renovations of target housing for compensation that disturb more than six square feet of interior or 20 square feet of exterior painted surface (even if it is not known whether the paint contains lead) to provide notification to owners and occupants; ensure that renovators, contractors, and dust sampling technicians are properly trained; obtain proper certification for renovators, contractors, and dust sampling technicians; use lead-safe renovation work practices; obtain certification for the firm from EPA; and keep records for at least three years.
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