WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2024
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached a settlement with a Connecticut-based residential contractor for federal lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule violations.
According to the agency’s release, the EPA observed a subcontractor of Bellamy Home Improvement (South Windsor, Connecticut) failing to follow lead-safe work practices while removing painted siding from a residence in Manchester, Connecticut.
Following this observation, the agency performed an audit of the company’s business records, using a sample of six renovation projects that Bellamy subcontracted over the previous two years, to evaluate the company’s RRP Rule compliance.
The company reportedly violated the rule 15 times during those projects in the audited period. The location of one of the renovation projects was in an area of environmental justice concern.
The EPA alleges that Bellamy failed to:
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Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reached a settlement with a Connecticut-based residential contractor for federal lead Renovation, Repair and Painting rule violations. |
“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.”
As a result of the settlement, Bellamy has agreed to pay a penalty of $34,818 and certify compliance with the federal lead-based paint RRP Rule.
This inspection was part of EPA New England's Connecticut Geographic Initiative for lead-based paint.
Other Recent Settlements
Also earlier this month, the EPA reached a settlement agreement with a Bella Vista, Arkansas, contractor following lead-based paint violations on an HGTV renovation show. Cable television program “Fixer to Fabulous” follows Dave and Jenny Marrs as they transform historic houses in “desperate” need of an update to turn them into “charming forever homes.”
According to the agency, in 2018, Marrs Construction Co. performed two renovations at residential properties constructed prior to 1978 without complying with applicable Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule requirements.
Specifically, Marrs allegedly failed to:
Since being contacted by the EPA, Marrs reportedly obtained RRP firm certification, certified its compliance with the RRP Rule, and pledged to comply in all future renovation activities.
The contractor also agreed to help raise awareness about the EPA Lead RRP program under the settlement by including educational information about compliance with the Lead RRP Rules in future episodes of “Fixer to Fabulous,” one episode in their upcoming season five and two episodes in season six.
Additionally, the company has agreed to produce and post on their social media sites a 30-second video public service announcement that focuses on EPA lead safety measures. The company will also make it available to EPA for future use.
Marrs is also required to pay a $35,000 civil penalty, the EPA notes.
Tagged categories: Civil Penalty; Enforcement; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); EPA; Good Technical Practice; Health & Safety; Lead; Lead; Lead Disclosure Rule; Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (LRRP); Lead rule; Program/Project Management; Regulations; Residential contractors; Violations
