Across the country, lead certification programs are often run by the state themselves, following the EPA rules, or they are operated directly by the EPA. In the State of Montana, lead certification is controlled and administered by the EPA directly. These programs exist to teach safe removal of lead and the control over who can and cannot work on these sites.
A ruling enforced by the EPA since 2010 called the Renovation, Repair and Painting rule (RRP), requires workers to be trained and certified before they can work with lead. Lead can be incredibly dangerous, especially when it turns into dust which can be easily inhaled, leading to severe health problems for those on the site and nearby.
This training includes videos, handbooks, and examinations, all of which conclude with a certification which lasts for five years. Designed for contractors, firms, homeowners, property managers and renovators, it teaches you how to create safe work environments in which lead can be removed and disposed of with minimal risk.
Do I Need Lead Certification in Montana?
If you want to work on a site that has a lead hazard, especially in the form of lead paint, you are likely to need a certification. These Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) projects often involve hazards, particularly in the case of homes built before 1978. To control the risk, it’s vital that strict rules are followed, and all workers understand the risk and how to minimize it.
Don’t risk fines! Get your Lead Paint Certification now!
Although there are some small exceptions to the need for lead certification, for example for very tiny pieces of wall, almost everybody working with lead paint needs to be certified. As a professional, you could lose your job if you’re found to be working with lead-hazards without this certification.
You will need to become certified if you’re a(n):
- Contractor: All contractors working with lead-hazards and around them will need to complete the appropriate training and pass the examination that is required to become certified in the State of Montana. Plus, once you have the certificate, you must keep a physical copy at the building site at all times.
- Company/Firm: The firm or representative doesn’t need to complete any additional training, but they must apply via the EPA website and pay the associated fee. All of the company details must be kept up-to-date, and the firm must only hire employees and contractors with certification for lead hazard roles.
- Home Owner: Even homeowners who wish to do construction and demolition themselves must either become certified themselves or hire a professional to consult on the project. If the homeowner is renovating more than six square feet of painted surfaces on homes built before 1978, the professional must evaluate the potential risk, create safe working conditions and minimize the harm to the workers and others.
- Property Manager: Managers and staff who are tearing down and setting up properties on job sites will need training and certification in the State of Montana.
- Renovator: Must complete the required lead training and hold an in-date certificate before they are legally allowed to supervise projects with lead hazards. As an independent contractor and renovator, you must ensure that you are certified by the EPA to work on these lead hazards.
How to Become Certified in Montana
In the State of Montana, you are required by law to complete training with an accredited program and then apply for a certificate from the EPA before you can work on these sites. It’s not enough to pass the training examination; you must hold the license before you can begin work. You can apply for it through the EPA website once you have finished the test.
Can I Take a Refresher Course?
Yes, a refresher course can help you to refresh your knowledge and will also extend your license for a further five years. If you wish to continue working on lead hazard job sites you must ensure that you have a new certificate, gaps in your certification are not acceptable and you can be punished under the law for operating without one.
Currently, certification lasts for five years, and the refresher course will extend it for the same period. You must complete the refresher course and apply for the new certificate before the initial one expires.
If you let the initial certificate expire, the EPA will force you to re-do the full training course. This course includes an 8-hour program which will cost you significantly in both time and money. Therefore, it’s smart to take the refresher program at least a few months before the initial certificate expires.
RRP Rule Enforcement in Montana
The State of Montana’s lead regulation is administered by the EPA directly. According to the RRP rule which has been enforced since April 22, 2010, those working with lead hazards without completing a lead abatement program and achieving a certificate, can be punished severely.
As a result of the direct administration by the EPA, violations will be punished not only by the State of Montana on a state level but by the Department of Justice at a federal level. These violations can prevent you from working again, and if a business is found to have broken the rules, they can be banned from working in the industry.
Steps to Becoming Lead Certified in Montana
- Undergo the required training with a program located in Montana which is accredited by the EPA to teach students about lead-based paint inspection, assessment or abatement.
- Complete the entire training course and pass all examinations.
- Apply through the EPA website for your Lead Renovator Certificate and keep the document at the work site whenever you are present in case it is needed for inspection.
Helpful Links for Compliance in Montana
For further information about the dangers of lead, how you can become certified and the EPA administrator in the State of Montana, check out the following links:
EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting
Lead Exposure Causing Health Problems
Still, Have Questions About Lead Certification in Montana?
If you’re still unconfident about what you need to do to become certified to work with lead hazards in the State of Montana, please get in contact with us, and we can guide you through the process.