Alameda County Lead Department

Lead-Safe Work Practices Quiz

Successfully completing this quiz will allow you to print a Completion form which may be required for a building permit in in many jurisdictions.  Please make sure the name entered is the name of the person taking the quiz.

Full Name:    

Please check all answers that apply:
 
1. Where is lead-based paint found?
  Interior surfaces of houses built before 1978 
  Exterior surfaces of houses built before 1978 

2. Which paint-removal methods should you not use to remove old paint?
  Dry sanding or scraping 
  Water blasting without containment 
  Torch burning 
  Using a heat gun above 1100 degrees F 
  Using chemical strippers such as methylene chloride without adequate ventilation 

3. What protective measures should be followed when removing old paint?
  Children and pregnant women should not be allowed near the work area 
  Remove or cover furnishings and wall hangings with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting. Make sure the furnace is shut off and cover the heat registers with 6 mil sheeting 
  Cover all other areas that will be exposed to lead dust with 6 mil polyethylene plastic sheeting, and use tape to keep the plastic in place 
  Use protective equipment such as a P100 (HEPA) respirator and clothes such as coveralls, shoe covers, hats, safety glasses, and gloves 
  Unless using power equipment keep the work surface wet at all times using a clean mister or garden sprayer 

4. What do I do with the paint chips created by scraping?
  Put them in a plastic bag and take them to an Alameda County Household Hazardous Waste Facility for disposal. 

5. What do I do with things like old doors or windows that might have lead-based paint on them?
  Wrap these items in plastic and seal them with duct tape. Dispose of them at a regular landfill. 

6. What measures should be taken by a person before leaving the site to avoid taking dust home?
  Vacuum your work clothes off with a HEPA filtered vacuum 
  Take off shoes or shoe covers before leaving the 6 mil plastic sheeting to avoid tracking debris 
  Change clothes before leaving work site 
  Shower, wash hands and face thoroughly 
  Wash clothes separately 

7. When cleaning the work area, which of the following measures should be followed?
  With wet cloths pick up all debris and place in a heavy duty garbage bag 
  Use a HEPA filtered vacuum(ACLPPP Property Owner Services) to clean up the work area and plastic sheeting 
  Wipe down work area using wet methods 
  Wipe down all tools and equipment 
  Roll plastic sheeting inward and place in heavy duty garbage bags 
  Clean area under drop cloths using a HEPA vacuum 

8. What are the penalties for failing to use lead-safe work practices?
  Up to $1,000 per day, per violation and up to $5,000 upon 2nd notice 
  Reasonable costs related to actual compliance and enforcement activities 

9. EPA regulations require contractors to provide the pamphlet Renovate Right to
  Owner(s) 
  Occupants 

10. What is the best way to tell if your child has elevated blood lead levels?
  Look if your child has lead poisoning symptoms 
  Wait and do nothing until your child develops lead poisoning symptoms 
  Ask your child's doctor to do a blood lead test because this is the only way you can tell if your child is lead poisoned