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Inspection Repair and Cleaning Practices (IRCs) require the use of safe work practices when renovating or maintaining pre-1978 rental housing and child care facilities. It also created a standard of care for inspecting, cleaning and maintaining these buildings.
Anyone working on buildings built before 1978 is at an increased risk for exposure to lead paint. While the majority of lead poisoning cases are children, it is possible for anyone to contract lead poisoning if proper work-safe practices are not practiced. The Vermont Department of Health enforces the Essential Maintenance Practices Law (18 V.S.A. §1759).
To perform IRCs, you must be IRC trained. Once you have taken the training and passed the exam, you will receive a certificate number from the Vermont Department of Health which will allow you to perform IRCs.
The Burlington Community Economic Development Office and the Vermont Department of Health offer in person and online IRC trainings. Depending on the trainer, fees may apply.
Information covered in the classes includes:
- The requirements of Vermont's lead paint law and related federal regulations
- The health effects of lead in children and adults
- Lead-safe work practices and maintenance procedures
- Specialized cleaning techniques and equipment for removing lead-contaminated dust
- Paint inspection procedures
Please note these changes to EMPs after October 1, 2022:
“Essential Maintenance Practices” will be called “Inspection, Repair and Cleaning (IRC) Practices.” IRC Practices will be the same as EMPs, except for these differences:
If you are EMP certified, you will no longer be able to perform paint repair of 1 square foot or more per interior room or exterior surface on pre-1978 rental housing and child care facilities. Repairs of areas larger than this will need to be performed by someone who is licensed under the Vermont Renovation, Repair, Painting and Maintenance (RRPM) regulations.
You will still be able to use your EMP certificate to perform EMPs (except for repairs) for 5 years from the date you took the EMP training. After that, you will need to take the new IRCs training to receive an updated certificate number.
The next IRC courses are listed below:
Thursday, June 1st, 2023 @2PM
ONLINE. This is a self-paced format with a 1-hour Microsoft Teams or call-in Q & A session with the trainers. Trainees are required to review the training material including a recording of the IRC training prior to the Q & A session. Set aside 2-3 hours for this pre-study. More information to be sent to the registrants.
Click here to register
Friday, June 9th, 2023 @9AM
ONLINE. This is a self-paced format with a 1-hour Microsoft Teams or call-in Q & A session with the trainers. Trainees are required to review the training material including a recording of the IRC training prior to the Q & A session. Set aside 2-3 hours for this pre-study. More information to be sent to the registrants.
Click here to register
Thursday, June 15th, 2023 @2PM
ONLINE. This is a self-paced format with a 1-hour Microsoft Teams or call-in Q & A session with the trainers. Trainees are required to review the training material including a recording of the IRC training prior to the Q & A session. Set aside 2-3 hours for this pre-study. More information to be sent to the registrants.
Click here to register
Friday, June 23rd, 2023 @9AM
ONLINE. This is a self-paced format with a 1-hour Microsoft Teams or call-in Q & A session with the trainers. Trainees are required to review the training material including a recording of the IRC training prior to the Q & A session. Set aside 2-3 hours for this pre-study. More information to be sent to the registrants.
Click here to register
Thursday, June 29th, 2023 @2PM
ONLINE. This is a self-paced format with a 1-hour Microsoft Teams or call-in Q & A session with the trainers. Trainees are required to review the training material including a recording of the IRC training prior to the Q & A session. Set aside 2-3 hours for this pre-study. More information to be sent to the registrants.
Click here to register
If you have questions about performing IRCs or the IRC trainings, Contact the Vermont Department of Health Asbestos and Lead Regulatory Program:empcompliance@vermont.gov