Editor's Focus

Dismantling or demolishing a structure or processing and recycling C&D materials can be challenging tasks requiring the attention of several skilled people. Doing these things safely and profitably has always involved paying attention to multiple factors at once. Recently, one of these many considerations has grown in importance: dust suppression.

When dust kicks up at a job site or at a recycling plant, it can be a nuisance to neighbors, be troublesome in the short-term for employees and potentially cause harm in the long run to the health of employees.

It is that third consideration that plays a role in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Rule, which took effect in April. The rule has an array of notification, certification and compliance aspects, including one that requires workers at renovation and demolition sites where lead paint is present to wear protective suits.

In an “Enforcement Alert” pertaining to the new rule, the EPA comments that “People who sand, scrape, burn or otherwise disturb lead-based paint are at risk from inhalation of lead dust or fumes.”

Correction

In the article “A Matter of Trust” in the March/April 2010 issue, Drew Lammers is referred to as president of the National Demolition Association. Lammers is now the past president of the association; Ray Passeno of Bierlien Companies Inc., Midland, Mich., is the current president.