Advice

Lead Paint Safety Processes

Occupying, managing, refurbishing or demolishing properties with lead paint involves careful planning and execution to ensure safety and compliance in accordance with current regulations and guidance. The following sections outline some of the considerations for those involved with the above scenarios:

A. For the Management of Property

1. Regular Inspections and Risk Assessments: Conduct periodic inspections to identify areas where lead paint is present or deteriorating.
2. Maintain Records: Keep detailed records of all lead paint locations, conditions, and any abatement actions taken.
3. Training and Awareness: Ensure property managers are trained on the risks of lead paint and understand legal requirements for managing it.
4. Implement a Management Plan: Develop a comprehensive lead paint management plan that includes procedures for maintenance, monitoring, and RAMS for those involved in any works.
5. Notify Tenants and Employees: Provide information about the presence of lead paint and safety precautions to all relevant parties. This can take many forms including an onsite report and register.

B. For Refurbishment

1. Lead Paint Survey: Before any work starts, carry out a detailed survey to identify the presence of lead paint.
2. Use Registered Folpa Professionals: Ensure your chosen surveying practice or consultant or contractors is suitable qualified, experienced and insured in lead paint services and safe work practices prior to engagement before refurbishment projects.
3. Safe Work Practices: Implement lead-safe work practices to prevent dust and debris, such as using enclosures, wet methods for removal, dustless removal/blasting techniques including HEPA vacuums for proposed works. The use of chemical stripper/IR softeners, laser strippers.
4. Post-Work Cleaning: Conduct a thorough cleaning of the refurbishment area to remove all lead dust and debris after the work is completed.
5. Clearance Testing: Perform post-refurbishment testing to ensure that the area meets safety standards before it is reoccupied.

C. For the Occupation of Property

1. Identify your occupants, Regular Monitoring: Identify at risk or vulnerable occupants. Regularly monitor the condition of painted surfaces to identify peeling, chipping, or cracking paint.
2. Immediate Reporting: Encourage occupants to report any deterioration in painted surfaces immediately.
3. Information and Training: Provide ongoing education to occupants about the risks of lead paint and the importance of reporting potential hazards.
4. Maintenance Work: Conduct regular maintenance using lead-safe practices to manage and contain any lead paint.

D. For Demolition of Property

1. Pre-works Testing & Survey: Before demolition, conduct a thorough lead paint survey to identify all areas with lead paint.
2. Abatement Strategies: Use appropriate lead abatement strategies before demolition to minimize airborne lead dust.
3. Controlled Demolition Techniques: Use water spray to suppress dust, secure barriers, and other containment methods during the demolition process.
4. Debris Management: Where required separate lead paint wastes from other streams (if necessary) in accordance with environmental & waste regulations.
5. Final Site Clearance: Ensure that the demolition site is cleaned and cleared of lead contaminants, followed by a final inspection and clearance testing.

Implementing these procedures can help ensure the safe handling of lead paint in various property-related activities, protecting the health of all parties involved and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards.