CALUMET -- Any contractors who haven't gotten their lead safety certification could be in violation of an Environmental Protection Agency rule enacted last spring.
Despite the January 2011 deadline for the EPA's new rule on renovation, repair and painting in pre-1978 homes, lead safety certification classes have continued at Northern Consultants in Calumet.
The lead abatement firm has trained more than 1000 contractors across the country since receiving special accreditation last March.
"My biggest concern is the fines that they're leveling if they find you're not going along with the system. A fine of $37,500 would put a builder out of business instantly." said owner of John D. Construction, John Domitrovich.
The state of Minnesota is now mandating enforcement of the lead safety law through local inspectors.
They expect Michigan and other states will follow suit and say the building inspector here in Houghton County has already denied permits to contractors who aren't certified.
"The people who were kind of dragging their feet to wait and see about enforcement are starting to take these classes, because there is someone enforcing it," said Northern Consultant's Roland Gerhart.
Gerhart teaches the 8-hour certification class for $200, during which he demonstrates how to use the EPA-approved lead test kit and discusses techniques for containing dust.
He's allowing building inspectors to attend for free so they can learn more about the law.
"Lead-based paint from the 1940s has as much as 15 pounds of lead per gallon. A normal house would take several gallons and if people are still living there who knows how often it's been repainted," added Gerhart.
Northern Consultants offers training on the third Friday of every month.
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