North Dakota is not authorized to run its RRP programs, and therefore workers and businesses in North Dakota are controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of justice. The Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule otherwise known as the RRP Rule was implemented in 2010 to minimize the impact of lead exposure.
Lead paint was banned in 1978, and for this reason, buildings constructed before this are typically filled with lead hazards. While on an average day this exposure presents minimal risk, when the paint cracks or is removed it can turn into thin dust which is easy to inhale. For both workers, passersby, and homeowners this long-term exposure can cause severe health problems.
To reduce the risk of lead paint as much as possible it’s critical that employees operate under safe conditions. These conditions usually involve masks and proper ventilation which prevents people from inhaling large amounts of lead for a long period. However, ventilation itself isn’t enough because you must also ensure that it doesn’t harm people working past your job site.
To legally work on a job site that contains lead you must first become certified, which involves completing a training course and passing an examination. This training will teach you about the dangers of lead and how the risks can be minimized so that you and your colleagues can work safely without endangering yourself to lead exposure.
Do I Need Lead Certification in North Dakota?
The RRP Rule dictates that on any job site at least one person who is present must have a valid lead certification and ensure that the work is being carried out safely. Also, businesses and property managers who are managing work must also be authorized to ensure that their team is following the RRP regulations.
In homes and commercial properties built before 1978, it’s highly likely that lead paint is used and therefore it’s necessary for workers to be certified through the EPA. Therefore, if you are working on the buildings, which is the vast majority of buildings in North Dakota, you need to become lead certified.
You will need to become certified if you’re a(n):
- Company: If you’re employing renovators directly or hiring contractors to work on a building which is likely to have lead exposure, you will need to get a lead certificate. While you don’t need to to go through the training or pass an examination, you still need to get a certificate so that you can operate safely.
- Home Owners: Even if you’re working on your own home you still might need a lead certification. For areas less than six square feet you can operate without any worries, but if space is larger, then you will need a lead certification the same as a renovator or contractor. Similarly, for an outdoor surface that is larger than twenty square feet you will also need to become certified, or if you don’t, you must hire a contractor who is certified through the EPA.
- Renovators: When you are working on building sites that are built before 1978 or which contain lead paint, you will need to hold an active certificate. To get this certificate, you must complete 8-hour training, pass an examination and then apply for your certificate through the EPA website. Once you have it, you must keep it at the job site at all times to be RRP-compliant.
- Contractor: Even if you’re working as an independent contractor it’s important for you to be certified to ensure that you are working legally. Contractors are typically self-employed or working in small teams, and therefore they are often working alone or with a few other people which is why it’s important to hold a certificate to be RRP-compliant.
- Property Managers: If you are managing a project in which contractors or renovators are working on a building that is likely to contain lead then you must hold a lead certification. If you don’t, then you must hire an employee who is holding a valid lead certification to manage the project.
How to Become Certified in North Dakota
Before you can work on job sites that contain lead hazards, you must first attend a training course which will take eight hours. After completing the course, you will need to pass a final examination to prove that you are qualified to ensure the safety of the people on the site. After passing the exam, you will need to apply for your certificate through the EPA website.
Can I Take a Refresher Course?
A lead certification will only last for five years, which is why it’s important to renew your certificate if you want to continue working on lead hazard jobs sites. If you fail to renew your certificate before it expires, then you will be required to undertake the entire eight-hour training course again and pass the examination to earn a certificate.
However, you can prevent this by taking a refresher course which will only take four hours. Once you have completed this course, you can take your final examination, and after passing, you will be able to obtain another five-year certificate. By doing this, you can save yourself money and time.
RRP Rule Enforcement in North Dakota
North Dakota has not been authorized to run their RRP programs, and for this reason, the RRP Rule is enforced by the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency. Failing to abide by the RRP Rule can have severe consequences including heavy fines, forced closures of businesses and lost jobs.
Steps to Becoming Lead Certified in North Dakota
- Attend an EPA accredited training program
- Pass the final examination
- Apply for your certificate through the EPA website
- Once you have received the certificate, you must keep it on the job site at all times
Ready to get your Lead Paint Certification?
Helpful Links for Compliance in North Dakota
If you’d like to learn more about lead exposure, its health problems and what North Dakota does to protect its citizens, you can check out the following links:
Do You Still Have Questions About Lead Certification in North Dakota?
If you still have questions about lead certification after reading this page, feel free to reach out to our team, and we will guide you through the process to ensure that you become certified.