California’s Lead Poisoning Prevention Branch and How to Become Certified in Lead-Related Construction

Information provided by https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/LRCcert_types.aspx

 

California requires certification depending on the type of lead-related construction activities a person plans to do. CDPH (California Department of Health) Certification is required for anyone who will be conducting: lead hazard evaluations, lead abatement plan preparation, lead abatement work, and lead clearance inspections for residential and public buildings in California. This is in accordance with Title 17 CCR § 35001-35050 and § 36000-36100.

In order to become certified, a person must take training from one of the CDPH’s accredited training providers. Obtaining training from a non-accredited training provider will not grant eligibility for certification through CDPH. In later articles, we will discuss the renewal and refresher certification once a person has obtained the initial certification from CDPH. A list of eligibility requirements are outlined here: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/LRCcert_elig.aspx in order to become trained and certified in Lead-Related Construction Certification.

Before diving into the types of certification, here are some key definitions that will better assist in understanding the level of work being performed.

Abatement – Any set of measures designed to reduce or eliminate lead hazards or lead-based paint from residential or public buildings. Abatement does not include containment or cleaning activities.

Clearance Inspection – An on-site limited investigation, performed according to U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)guidelines, to determine if lead hazard control work has been completed as specified and if the work area is safe for unprotected workers, residents, and children to enter.  Does not include personal air monitoring activities done to ensure Cal/OSHA compliance, representative sampling of components removed from a building to determine the applicability of hazardous waste requirements, or sampling done to determine adequacy of containment.

Lead Hazard Evaluation – An on-site inspection, risk assessment and/or clearance inspection, done for pay or other compensation, to determine the presence or amount of lead-based paint or lead hazards in a residential or public building. Does not include personal air monitoring activities done to ensure Cal/OSHA compliance, representative sampling of components removed from a building to determine the applicability of hazardous waste requirements, or sampling done to determine adequacy of containment.

Lead Hazards – Deteriorated lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, lead-based paint that is disturbed without containment or any other nuisance which results in persistent measurable lead exposure. Lead hazards include all paint or surface coatings on residential or public buildings built before January 1, 1978, that are disturbed without containment. (Such surface coatings are presumed to contain lead.)

Definitions provided by CDPH and are not exact language from California’s lead work practice standards.
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/LRCcert_types.aspx

 

The table below shows the activities Certified Lead Inspectors/Assessors, Sampling Technicians, Project Monitors, Supervisors, and Workers may perform under California’s Work Practice Standards for Lead-Related Construction. These regulations only apply to work done in residential and public buildings.

Do Lead Abatement Work? Prepare Lead Abatement Plans? Perform Lead Hazard Evaluations? Perform Clearance Inspections?
Can a Certified Inspector/Assessor No No Yes Yes
Can a Certified Sampling Technician No No Sampling Only Sampling Only
Can a Certified Project Monitor No Yes No Yes
Can a Certified Supervisor Yes Yes No No
Can a Certified Worker Yes No No No

Certification for Inspector/Assessor

The Inspector/Assessor certificate is for those who plan to inspect buildings for lead and assess the type of lead hazards present in those buildings.

Under California’s Title 17 Regulations, a Certified Inspector/Assessor:

  • May perform lead hazard evaluations, including:
    • Lead paint inspections
    • Lead risk assessments
    • Clearance inspections
    • May not perform lead abatement plans
    • May not perform lead abatement activities

 

Certification for Sampling Technician

The Sampling Technician certificate is for those who, under the direction of an Inspector/Risk Assessor, perform sampling activities.

Under California’s Title 17 Regulations, a Certified Sampling Technician:

  • May take samples during a lead hazard evaluation under the direction of a certified Inspector/Assessor
  • May not prepare lead abatement plans
  • May not perform lead abatement activities
  • May not perform full lead hazard evaluations, including clearance inspections

Certification for Project Monitor

The Project Monitor certification is for those who plan to oversee lead-related construction work to ensure that specifications are followed.

Under California’s Title 17 regulations, a certified Project Monitor:

  • May prepare lead abatement plans
  • May conduct clearance inspections
  • May not perform lead abatement activities
  • May not supervise individuals performing lead abatement activities
  • May not perform lead hazard evaluations except for clearances

 

Certification for Supervisor

The Supervisor certificate is for those who plan to supervise daily work activities on a lead-related construction work site and/or prepare lead abatement plans. These certificates are also for those who plan to supervise repainting or general construction performed on surfaces painted with lead-based paint.

Under California’s Title 17 regulations, a Certified Supervisor:

  • May perform lead abatement activities
  • May supervise individuals performing lead abatement activities
  • May prepare lead abatement plans
  • May not perform lead hazard evaluations, including clearance inspections

 

Certification for Worker

Under California’s Title 17 regulations, a Certified Worker:

  • May perform lead abatement activities
  • May not prepare lead abatement plans
  • May not perform lead hazard evaluations, including clearance inspections

 

NATEC International is an accredited CDPH Training Provider for Lead-Related Construction Activities. For more information or questions, please contact us at training@natecintl.com.

 

Additional information can be found in source website:  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/CLPPB/Pages/LRCcert_types.aspx