LEAD PAINT

In commercial properties, the Contractor is required to pre-abate lead painted surfaces if the renovation/demolition work involves grinding, sanding, torch cutting, welding or general surface preparation of these areas.  The Contractor is also required to remove all loose and flaking lead-based paint prior to performing any general demolition work. 

Painted surfaces in residential properties must also be abated as part of any renovation activities, but the scope of the work and the methods of abatement are more strictly defined by the Department of Public Health.  In addition, all lead-paint abatement work in residential properties must be performed by a Massachusetts-licensed abatement Contractor. 

There are regulatory and University requirements for sampling and disposing of lead-painted building components and containerized waste (paint chips, lead dust, waste water filters, solvents, etc).

Prior to performing renovation or demolition work on any building, a lead-paint inspection must be performed by a qualified consultant.  In addition, the lead-paint consultant will oversee abatement activities to ensure that regulatory requirements and University standards are met.  The attached Request for Proposal [PDF] can be used to solicit bids for lead paint auditing work (note that the RFP also includes other possible environmental issues that should be considered like asbestos and miscellaneous hazardous materials).

In order to ensure that lead-paint consultants working at the University understand Harvard-specific requirements for abatement activities, waste management, etc, the EH&S Department has compiled the attached list of Lead Paint Consultants / Inspectors [PDF] who have done satisfactory auditing work for the University.

To ensure that lead paint abatement contractors are given clear direction on University standards for abatement work, the EH&S Department has prepared the attached Lead-Paint Commercial Template Specification [MS Word] for abatement in commercial properties and the attached Lead-Paint Residential Template Specification [MS Word] for abatement in residential properties.  The lead paint consultant should incorporate this specification into the design documents that he/she prepares for a specific project.

The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Safety maintains a current list of licensed lead abatement contractors at: http://www.mass.gov/dos/lead/index.htm.

By using one of the template specifications above, the Contractor is required to submit certain documents prior to the start of abatement activities and other documents before close-out of their contract.  The attached lists of Contractor Submittals and Close-out Documents – Commercial Properties [PDF] and Contractor and Submittals and Close-out Documents – Residential Properties [PDF] are provided for reference.