EPA & OSHA to Work Together on Lead
It's Official - EPA & OSHA will coordinate their efforts when it comes to Lead.
In a ‘memorandum of understanding’ (MOU) signed by the the Region 1, New England Regional Administrators for both EPA and DOL’s OSHA. the goal as stated of the agencies entering into the MOU is to “improve and optimize the combined efforts of the Parties to achieve protection of workers, the public, and/or the environment at facilities subject to EPA and/or OSHA jurisdiction.” Region 1 covers Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine. My bet is this ‘understanding’ between the two entities will move across the country to all other regions.
The MOU goes on to state: “In particular, improved coordination should help (1) OSHA enforce the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) and undertake special enforcement initiatives, such as OSHA’s Lead in Construction standard (29 CFR 1926.62), and (2) EPA enforce the Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) , and 40 C.F.R. Part 745, Subpart E.”