CANTON – Federal law requires contractors that disturb painted surfaces built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific practices to prevent lead contamination. This also applies if you rent all or part of your home, operate a child care center in your home or if you buy, renovate, and sell homes for profit (i.e., a house flipper). The same standards are recommended for homeowners when completing renovations themselves.

Earlier this month, St. Lawrence County Public Health Department offered a Lead Renovator Training for individuals to become Certified Lead Renovators. The course was a success, and six individuals became Lead-Safe Certified through the EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting program.

Due to demand, a second free training to help contractors comply with federal law is being offered on Friday, March 31. The training includes classroom instruction, hands-on activities and an examination. Typical trainees are homeowners, property managers, contractors and their employees, or those who would like to use the certification to obtain work in the construction industry.

If you're looking for a way to learn how to do lead-safe work on older buildings, this training can help —and at no cost. Upon completion of the course, individuals will obtain an EPA RRP Initial Certificate as a Certified Renovator.

Registration is required for the course. Sign up online at tinyurl.com/LeadRenovator or call 315-229-3448.