Contractors should prepare to be inundated by paperwork as a result to the documentation requirements of the recently enacted “Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.” 

Contractors across the country should prepare to be inundated by paperwork as a result to the documentation requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently enacted “Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.” More commonly known as the “lead safe” rule, the new regulations are designed to protect workers and residents of older building from dangerous exposure to lead during renovations. But their effect on contractors will result in time-consuming paperwork and documentation, according to Chris Zorzy, president of LeadSafe Video Solutions Inc., a Salem, Mass.-based contractor training company.

The EPA has developed multiple forms, logs and checklists to make sure all parts of the regulations are being scrupulously followed. This pile of paperwork includes pre-renovation forms, lead check test kit documentation form, record of tenant notification form, participant progress log and a renovation recordkeeping checklist to keep track of all the other forms that must be filled out and submitted to the EPA.

“Although tedious to complete, all this documentation is actually a good thing for contractors,” said Chris Zorzy. “Maintaining a paper trail that clearly demonstrates you are taking the proper steps in the process can help protect a contractor against claims and disputes that otherwise might result in fines and penalties.”