In the State of Kentucky, the lead abatement programs are managed by the state itself rather than directly by the EPA. The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the state-run plan which is designed to follow the Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) rule and teach workers and businesses how to operate safely.
The RRP rule was started in 2010 in response to the growing number of incidents involving lead, especially lead paint which was used extensively for decades inside and outside of homes and buildings. To renovate or demolition these walls, workers have to be incredibly careful to prevent health problems for themselves and those in the surrounding areas.
The RRP rule dictates that across the nation workers and businesses operating on lead hazards need to be adequately trained by accredited training facilities and certified by the EPA. Although the rules and process can vary slightly from state to state, they all meet the critical RRP ruling which requires at least a certification from the EPA to operate on lead paint.
Do I Need Lead Certification in Kentucky?
Projects involving lead-paint can be surprisingly dangerous. When the lead-paint cracks or the wall is demolition, the lead is pulverized into thin dust which is blown around by the air. This dust can then be inhaled not only by those on the building site but those passing by or family members touching the clothes of the workers.
Lead poisoning is damaging for everybody, but young children are particularly vulnerable because their brains are still developing. To control this risk the working conditions need to be heavily controlled, and employees must have training in what to do.
In the State of Kentucky, all renovators, firms and many others are required by the state and the EPA to undergo extensive training, pass examinations and become certified before they can work on lead painted materials.
Ready to get your Lead Paint Certification?
You will need to become certified if you’re a(n):
- Contractor: Before a contractor can work in buildings that are likely to have lead hazards they must first be trained and certified. It’s against the law for the contractor to work without a certificate and it’s illegal for the company to hire them without their certification. As such, the contractor must complete a lead certification and read the complete handbook before they can work.
- Firms: Businesses must have their application approved by the EPA and pay the associated costs.
- Home Owners: The RRP rule dictates that homeowners must engage a certified professional for painted surfaces over six square feet in homes built before 1978.
- Property Managers: Managers and staff should undergo lead safety training to ensure that they operate safely when they are setting up new job sites and tearing down old properties which contain lead.
- Renovators: Must attend a training course with an EPA accredited program in the State of Kentucky, pass the examination and become certified before they can work these jobs.
How to Become Certified in Kentucky
In the State of Kentucky, once you have completed your training, you must still apply to become certified. You can do this through the Department for Public Health’s Environmental Lead Program, which will verify you for five years.
Can I Take a Refresher Course?
Refresher courses are used to extend your existing certification so that you can continue to work without missing days from work or to break the law. To maintain certification in the State of Kentucky, you must submit to the EPA: a completed application, the relevant fees and proof that you passed the refresher within the previous year.
Should you fail to do this, you will be required to re-attend the initial training course and re-apply for the certification, all of which is costly both in time and money. To prevent this, it’s important to pay close attention to the expiration date on the certificate and apply proactively rather than leaving it to the last moment.
RRP Rule Enforcement in Kentucky
The State of Kentucky is one of the many states which has it’s own lead abatement programs, operated through the Department for Public Health in Kentucky. This department has an Environmental Lead Program which enforces the RRP rules that stand across the country.
Failure to comply with these rules can result in hefty fines, often totaling tens of thousands of dollars and the loss of your job or business. In the State of Kentucky, each day working without the certificate is a separate offense which will result in a fine no less than $10 and no more than $100.
How to Comply with EPA Lead Certification Requirements
The EPA RRP rule requires that before you begin work on any lead-painted surface you should have completed the necessary training, passed the exam and obtained certification. Once this is done, you may start work, where you should apply the techniques and safety protocols that you learned during the training program.
It’s also required by law that you should hold a physical copy of the certificate with you at work at all times. When you first come to a job site you need to bring the document so that it can be stored in the central office in case it needs to be checked or validated. To read the most up-to-date requirements, make sure to read the EPA website.
Steps to Becoming Lead Certified in Kentucky
- Learn more about the process and what it involves.
- Attend an accredited training program in the State of Kentucky.
- Pass the final examination and obtain proof.
- Renovators can apply for certification through the EPA website. Other types of workers or firms should complete a short “Application for Certification” on the Kentucky Department for Public Health website.
- Ensure that you have the certification with you at the job site.
Helpful Links for Compliance in Kentucky
If you’re interested in learning more about the training programs in Kentucky, how you can become certified and which application forms you need to use, follow these links:
Still, Have Questions About Lead Certification in Kentucky?
If you’re still not confident about what you need to do next, feel free to get into contact with us, and we will do our best to guide you through the process to ensure that you become certified.