Two contractors who worked on a major development project in downtown Kansas City, MO, will pay federal fines for violating lead safety rules, according to authorities.

Jim Plunkett Inc. (Kansas City, MO) and B&R Insulation (Lenexa, KS) have agreed to pay civil penalties of $4,690 and $7,900, respectively, for violating the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule, according to the EPA’s Region 7.

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The fines stem from the office-to-residential conversion project that reportedly has saved Kansas City's most famous skyscraper: the limestone-clad Kansas City Power & Light Building, which was originally built in 1931.

According to a release on the settlement, EPA officials conducted a random inspection for lead-based paint renovation work practices at the historic Kansas City Power & Light Building in June 2015.

The companies were responsible for performing window replacement of approximately 850 windows at the 32-story commercial building, which is being converted into more than 200 high-end residential apartments.

Failures Discovered

EPA Region 7 reported that the inspection revealed the companies failed to:

• Provide EPA's Renovate Right pamphlet to the owner;
• Retain records for three years;
• Post signs that clearly define the work area;
• Remove all objects from the work area, or cover them with plastic sheeting or other impermeable materials with all seams and edges taped or otherwise sealed;
• Close all doors and windows within the work area; and
• Mist the sheeting before folding it, fold the dirty side inward, and either tape shut or seal in heavy-duty bags.

B&R Insulation also failed to apply for and obtain EPA certification prior to commencing the renovation, according to the authorities.

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The $70 million reuse project is being developed by NorthPoint Development Co, according to reports.

The companies did not immediately respond Wednesday (Sept. 13) to requests for comment on the EPA action.

The RRP Rule

The RRP Rule requires that contractors who work on pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities are trained and certified to use lead-safe work practices, according to the EPA. This ensures that common renovation and repair activities like sanding, cutting and replacing windows minimize the creation and dispersion of dangerous lead dust.

The rule took effect on April 22, 2010.