Page 12
The INDEPENDENT, February 4, 2010
Robbery workshop for businesses
Lawmakers look at “Oil Rig Free” coast
Armed robbery is one of the
most serious and potentially
dangerous crimes facing a vari-
ety of businesses within our
community. The Washington
County Sheriff’s Office is offer-
ing a training workshop for re-
tail businesses which is de-
signed to reduce the chance of
becoming a target for robbery,
and increase the likelihood of
apprehending these criminals if
a robbery does occur.
The key to robbery preven-
tion and avoiding injury during
a robbery is to be fully pre-
by Chris Thomas, Oregon News
Service
pared. Participants will learn
about common characteristics
and predictors of robbery. They
will also learn what to do during
and after a robbery, with an
emphasis on maintaining their
personal safety.
The training is scheduled for
Tuesday, February 16, from
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the
Sheriff’s Office Training Center
at 215 SW Adams Avenue in
Hillsboro.
To register for this free train-
ing, contact the Crime Preven-
tion Unit at 503-846-2579.
President Obama said in his
State of the Union address that
the country needs to make
“tough decisions about opening
new offshore areas for oil and
gas development.” In Salem
this week, the Oregon Legisla-
ture is already weighing in on
that idea.
Lawmakers are considering
renewing a ban that expired in
December on offshore oil and
gas drilling in state coastal wa-
ters, which extend three miles
from the shoreline, and making
it permanent. The bill (HB
3613) had a hearing on Tues-
day in the House Committee on
Environment and Water.
Terry Thompson, a long-time
commercial fisherman and cur-
rent Lincoln County commis-
sioner, says the risk of an acci-
dent or oil spill has to be taken
into account.
“We have seen different
places in the country where
there has been oil spills and
pollution, and Oregon has
spent years trying to develop a
clean environment, so this fits
right with what our historic atti-
tudes have been.”
In his area, Thompson says
people would rather see a
boost to the industries they al-
ready have, including tourism
and recreation, marine re-
search and fishing.
“We’re looking for jobs – we
need ‘em very bad on the West
coast – but we have jobs in the
fishing industry already. We
don’t want to lose any of our
existing jobs, because just trad-
See Oil on page 14
EPA now requires certified remodelers to work on pre-1978 homes
The National Association of
the
Remodeling
Industry
(NARI) is making homeowners
aware of the U.S. Environmen-
tal Protection Agency (EPA)
regulations that will take effect
on April 22, requiring remodel-
ers working in homes built be-
fore 1978 to follow practices
designed to minimize the expo-
sure of residents to lead haz-
ards.
“Lead is harmful to both chil-
dren and adults. In children, a
tiny amount of exposure can
lead to neurological damage,
and in adults, lead inhalation
can lead to hypertension, mus-
cle and joint pain, fatigue and
nausea, among other symp-
toms,” says Bob Boothroyd, an
EPA Certified Renovator in
Connecticut.
The EPA is calling for all re-
modelers who intend to work in
pre-1978 homes to register
their companies and complete
an 8-hour training and certifica-
tion course with an accredited
trainer. The course teaches re-
modelers how to safely contain
lead in a home as it is being
disturbed, and reduce expo-
sure to residents and workers.
NARI wants homeowners to
know how to protect them-
selves from harmful lead expo-
sure during renovations. If you
know your home was built be-
fore 1978 and your renovation
will disturb painted surfaces
you will have to hire an EPA
Certified Firm.
“Consider it a red flag if a re-
modeler doesn’t mention lead if
you live in an older home. Even
though the law is not in effect
until April, they still need to
make homeowners aware of
lead exposure,” Boothroyd
says. Current law requires that
renovators give homeowners
an EPA brochure called “Reno-
See page 10 for
Banks Library
Column
We have all the Snacks,
Beverages and other
necessitys for your
Super Bowl Party.
We also have
something for your
Special Valentine.
vate Right,” which includes
facts about lead and lead safe-
ty in the home, and have it
signed to signal that homeown-
ers have been properly notified
of the dangers.
If owners of a pre-1978
home decide to remodel, it is
important to assume lead is
present unless testing is done
to identify exactly where the
lead is by using a lead test. The
following three main areas of
safe work practices recognized
by the EPA can be used to help
homeowners start the lead con-
versation:
Containing the work area so
that dust and debris does not
escape, complete with warning
signs, heavy-duty plastic and
tape.
Minimizing the dust by using
Super Quiet
Portable Power
methods such as misting water
on areas before sanding or
scraping.
Clean up thoroughly on a
daily basis using special clean-
ing methods such as using a
HEPA vacuum and wet mop-
ping with plenty of rinse water.
Certified firms are obligated
to prove the certification by dis-
playing their training certificate
to homeowners and on the job-
site. Note that states are able to
create more stringent criteria in
addition to the EPA’s criteria,
and the certificate should re-
flect the state in which the work
is being completed.
The EPA also recommends
that homeowners have the re-
modelers specify what the final
lead inspection entails. If a
homeowner has any doubts
about the quality of lead safe
practices being conducted in
their homes, call 1-800-424-
LEAD.
NARI can connect you with
remodel-ready contractors who
will take care of the entire re-
modeling process. Find a NARI
member on www.nariremodel-
ers.com. For green remodeling
information, visit www.greenre
modeling.org.
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