Department of Public Safety

Good Landlording Series

Jerry Wessels and Earl Morris discussed lead-based paint hazards.

October 1, 2011 | 2 min reading time

This article is 13 years old. It was published on October 1, 2011.

The September session of DeSales Community Housing Corporation's Good Landlording Series featured Mr. Jerry Wessels, Lead Inspection Hazard Control Program Manager with the City's Department of Public Safety Building Division. Wessels and Earl Morris, Lead Hazard Inspector, were on hand to discuss recent changes in Federal regulations governing repairs in buildings with lead-based paint. Wessels also provided information on available training opportunities and the EPA guidebook, "The Lead-Safe Certified Guide to Renovate Right."

Pictured below from left are: Jerry Wessels, Stan Presson of Fox Grove Management and Earl Morris.

Jerry Wessels Stan Presson Earl Morris at Good Landlording Series Sept. 14, 2011.

As written in "Renovate Right," Federal law requires contractors that disturb painted surfaces in homes, child care facilities and schools, built before 1978 to be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.  Always ask to see your contractor's certification.

Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renovating six square feet or more of painted surfaces in a room for interior projects or more than twenty square feet of painted surfaces for exterior projects or window replacement or demolition in housing, child care facilities and schools built before 1978.

Renovators must give homeowners and tenants a copy of "Renovate Right" before starting work. 

Renovators must give a copy of the pamphlet to child care facilities and general renovation information to families whose children attend those facilities.

The session was held at the Five Star Senior Center on Arsenal Street in the Benton Park West neighborhood.

The DeSales Good Landlording Series is funded by the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

To find out more about the series, visit http://www.desaleshousing.com/ .

Questions about lead hazards?  Contact the City's Lead Inspection Section at (314) 641-8200.  Another source of information would be http://www.epa.gov/ .

Department of Public Safety
City of St. Louis