Responsible Remodelingsm is a core operating system for professional remodeling contractors dedicated to protecting the health and safety of their customers and workers.
The new EPA lead regulation titled, “Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting Program”, or the RRP, is a cornerstone of this operating system.
Additionally, Responsible Remodelingsm extends the idea of indoor air quality to the actual construction phase of a renovation, thus incorporating Green Building principles further into construction operations.
This system relies on worker training; dust control and creation of administrative systems to ensure renovation projects are conducted in a responsible manner.
Contractors can expect to see returns on investment in the form of a doubling in customer satisfaction, reduction in workers compensation premiums, improved job site morale and increased productivity.
Incorporating the five steps of Responsible Remodelingsm into your company culture and achieving the Responsible Remodelersm certification will improve the remodeling experience for everyone involved.
The five steps are:
Step 1 - The Pledge
Step 2 - Remodeling Air Quality
Step 3 - Dust Safe Work Practices
Step 4 - Health and Safety Programs
Step 5 - Selling the Commitment
Responsible Remodelingsm is the way to a healthy and profitable company.
STEP 1 - THE PLEDGE
A simple statement of your company’s pledge to ensure the health and safety of your customers, workers and trades partners’ personnel.
This good faith statement pledging to cause ‘no intentional harm’ to others during the course of business operations provides a layer of liability protection should a claim of injury occur.
It is essential that all company personnel are trained on the purpose of this policy and that the intent trickles through to all trades partners’ personnel.
STEP 2 - REMODELING AIR QUALITY
More and more, customers are becoming aware of the value and meaning of indoor air quality. Understanding how to achieve indoor air quality for your customers is critical as Green Building concepts continue to take hold.
Remodeling Air Quality (RAQ) extends the concept of indoor air quality to the actual construction phase of a remodeling project.
RAQ begins by establishing the seven types of construction dust that exist and continues with awareness of the volatile organic compounds emitted by products and materials used in construction today.
RAQ then goes on to inform remodeling workers about the health effects from exposure to the many hazardous particles they encounter on any given day.
Knowing what particulate hazards exist and how to protect occupants and workers from them is a cornerstone of Responsible Remodelingsm.
STEP 3 - DUST SAFE WORK PRACTICES
Customers are demanding clean projects. Satisfaction ratings double for those who think their contractors maintained a clean and orderly job site. The EPA is regulating cleanliness on renovation projects.
The obvious question for a Responsible Remodelersm is, “How do I train my workers to work clean?”
The basis of the answer to this question is found in the joint EPA-HUD training curriculum titled, “Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair, & Painting.”
This nationally recognized training program establishes what are known as “lead safe work practices”. This training program provides lead dust control best practices for renovation projects starting with:
▪ Contain dust in the work area
▪ Minimize creation of dust
▪ Clean up repetitively and completely
It also provides specific task processes for workers to work clean.
Responsible Remodelingsm utilizes these federally established work practices designed to control the exposure to lead dust as the way to control exposure to all types of construction dust.
STEP 4 - HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAMS
The focal point of the Responsible Remodelingsm training program is a Health & Safety Program (HSP). Not only is such a program required by federal regulations, but designing, implementing and managing a remodeling specific HSP will provide the necessary structure to get and keep your personnel engaged in continual training.
STEP 5 - SELLING THE COMMITMENT
To reap the full return on your investment into Responsible Remodelingsm, you must sell
this commitment to your clients. This is where Responsible Remodelingsm becomes truly comprehensive. It provides valuable sales tools that can be incorporated into your sales process.
Tools that come from Responsible Remodelingsm will differentiate your company’s approach to remodeling. You will be encouraged to train sales staff on RAQ and Dust Safe Work Practices so they can prepare customers properly. Guidance is given to develop standards that can then be included as part of your proposals.
Reminding your clients of your Pledge to safeguard their health and safety and that your workers is more than a guarantee that their project will be safe and clean.
Responsible Remodelingsm will provide your clients a remodeling experience as only a Responsible Remodelersm can.
RESPONSIBLE REMODELERsm
Implementing the elements of the Responsible Remodelingsm system can be done on your own. However, to prove your commitment to safe and healthy remodeling and achieve the Responsible Remodelersm Certification, outside consultation is required.
This is where Qx2, Inc. comes in. Offering consulting and training services to the construction industry since 2000, company president, Brindley Byrd, CAPS, CGR, offers his expertise to guide your company through the process of becoming a Responsible Remodelersm. Qx2 has established training programs and system development assistance contained within Responsible Remodelingsm.
To be considered a Responsible Remodelorsm, your company must develop, implement, maintain and document the following:
1. A written pledge to cause no intentional harm.
2. A written remodeling specific health and safety program.
3. A written hazard communication program.
4. A written respirator protection program.
5. Verification of initial HSP training for all field workers employed by your company.
6. Verification of employee attendance at regular health and safety training sessions.
7. EPA approved Lead Safe Work Practices training for all field workers employed by
your company.
8. RAQ training including mold and asbestos awareness training for all field workers
employed by your company
9. First Aid and CPR certification for supervisory field personnel.
10. Inclusion of trades partners in RAQ and HSP training.
11. Proof of EPA pre-renovation notification verifications from customers.
12. Project set up and clean up check lists required by the RRP.
13. Annual audit of administrative systems.