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Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Lead Supervisor Study Guide

The lead supervisor exam includes 100 questions and is covered in the study guide modules below.

Learn more about the lead certification exams

The information you’ll need to pass the lead supervisor certification exam involves reviewing requirements and guidelines from government agencies, including:

In the following study guide, you will be directed to important publications and rules from these agencies. You may have them in your manuals from class. If not, we’ll provide links to help you prepare for the test categorized by modules and sub-topics:

Health effects

Lead hazards

  • Learn where lead from paint, dust, and soil could be, especially in and around older homes and buildings, at the EPA website.

  • The HUD Guidelines provide information for identifying and controlling lead hazards.

    • In Chapter 1 (PDF), review pages 1-4 through 1-5 under Part II: Background on Childhood Lead Poisoning, A. Childhood Lead Poisoning to learn about health hazards, prevalence rates, and highest risk populations.
    • Then, read B. Causes of Childhood Lead Poisoning on pages 1-6 to 1-8 to learn how kids are exposed to lead in residential paint, in surface dust, and in soil.
    • Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Childhood Lead Poisoning Data and Data Analysis
    • Watch this public service announcement from the EPA.

Quiz

Determine the type of project

  • DHS provides guidelines about working with lead-based paint hazards, as well as certification, accreditation, and enforcement, in DHS 163 (PDF).
  • Read about the requirements for a written contract before beginning work in DHS 163 (PDF).

DHS certification and notifications

Paperwork

  • Chapter 8 (PDF) includes information about resident protection and worksite preparation. Go to D. Written Occupant Protection Plan (OPP) for Abatement Projects to learn more about its purpose, what to include, and general requirements.
  • In DHS's forms library, you can find an Occupant Protection Plan Checklist for Lead Abatement Activities, F-00201 which is required to complete and post outside the abatement work area. Review the form to learn more about the O.P.P. requirements.

Pre-cleaning

Learn more about pre-cleaning before an abatement project (PDF) in Chapter 8 (PDF). Read E. Site Assessment and Pre-Cleaning. To view an example of pre-cleaning of a window, go to Figure 8.17 Pre-cleaning window with HEPA vacuum (page 8-27).

Restrict access and post signs

  • Learn about posting warning signs (PDF) in Chapter 8 (PDF). Scroll to page 8-26 or click on Warning Signs. Read more about warning signs on page 30 (PDF) in OSHA (PDF)
  • Read the guidance on posting warning signs during renovation activities and restricting access during abatement activities in DHS 163 (PDF).

Quiz

Overview

Cleaning

  • To learn about proper cleaning techniques in pre-1978 homes (PDF) in Chapter 4 (PDF), read Cleaning Techniques on pages 4-11 to 4-12.
  • For Interior Work, review Table 8.1 on page 8-13 about interior Chapter 8 (PDF), which includes procedures for low and high dust jobs.
  • For Exterior Work, read about cleanup procedures (PDF) on pages 8-26 to 8-27.
  • Learn more about cleaning procedures (PDF) in Chapter 14 (PDF), including cleaning methods (14-9 to 14-12), cleaning before and during work (14-13 to 14-16), and final cleaning procedures (14-16 to 14-21).

Containment

Read about containment (PDF) in Chapter 8 (PDF), specifically how to set up barrier systems and containment. Go to Part III Worksite Preparation. Follow the following directions to learn more about containment for interior and exterior work.

For interior projects:

  • Read A. Introduction and B. Interior Worksite Preparation
  • Review Table 8.1 (Interior Worksite Preparation) and, on pages 8-14 to 8-16, study the sections of the chart focusing on setting up containment. In the Table, review the part about Ventilation of Table 8.1 on page 8-18.

For exterior projects:

  • Read C. Worksite Preparation for Exterior Paint-Disturbing Work (starting on 8-24). Read 2. Containment and Barrier System (8-24 to 8-25)
  • To see how to set up a ladder for exterior containment of a building or window, look at Figure 8.15 (8-25)
  • read and review a list of work practice standards in DHS 163
  • Read how to contain the work area in DHS 163.

Interim controls versus abatement

  • Examine the chart on page 11 of Chapter 1 (PDF) to learn about how to control lead hazards, which can include interim controls or abatement (PDF). Then read pages 1-12 to 1-13 to learn how to control lead hazards using abatement and interim controls.
  • Read more about controlling lead-based paint in housing renovation (PDF) in Chapter 4 (PDF).
    • As you read pages 4-4 to 4-6, identify some key terms and figures, including Lead Hazard Control, Lead hazard Control and Renovation, Leaded dust, 1 mg/cm2 of lead, and 40 µg/ft2 of leaded dust, heat guns above 1,100°F, Paint Chips, dry versus wet scraping, and lead-contaminated soil.
    • As you see these terms, determine how they are important as they relate to lead hazards.

Interim controls

Under the section Paint Stabilization in Chapter 11 (PDF), read “How to do it” on page 11-22.

  • Click General Paint Application Guidelines on page 11-28, and scroll down to Cleaning Surfaces of Dust and Chips on page 11-31. Once there, read about what surfaces latex paint can be applied to
  • Learn about interim controls in EPA's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Abatement

  • There are four methods of abatement, which can be easily recalled with the R.R.E.E. acronym. These abatement measures include Removal, Replacement, Encapsulation, and Enclosure. More information about each of these methods are described in the next sections.
  • Examine this chart illustrating the key differences and similarities between Lead-Safe Renovation vs. Lead Abatement (PDF)
  • In Chapter 12 (PDF), read the following sections:
    • The steps of how to do abatement on pages 12-5 to 12-10.
    • The steps of Building Component Replacement (12-6 to 12-7) and Enclosure (12-7)
    • Interior Surface Enclosure Materials (12-26 to 12-27)
    • Under Paint Removal (12-8), read about the Prohibited Methods and then Dry Scraping. Read about when and when not to use dry scraping methods
    • Go to Recommended Methods of Paint Removal and review these procedures
    • Scroll to Mechanical Removal Methods and read about the various methods that can be used using HEPA
    • Find out more about Soil Abatement on pages 12-9 to 12-10
    • Read about Open Flame Burning (12-33) and review how to enclose different components of windows (12-32)
  • To learn more about DHS’s regulations for lead paint removal, read the work practice standards in DHS 163.
  • Review the responsibilities of the Lead Abatement Supervisor in DHS 163.

Encapsulation

One method of abatement is encapsulation. Learn about abatement by encapsulation in Chapter 13 (PDF) by first reading the Introduction and Definition of encapsulation on pages 13-5 to 13-6.

  • Read “How to do it” on page 13-3, as well as when it can be used, and which surfaces CANNOT be encapsulated on pages 13-3 and 13-4.
  • Read the Minimum Performance Requirements for Encapsulants and review VI. Specific Encapsulant Products and Surface Preparation Procedure
  • An important procedure to evaluate the effectiveness of encapsulation is the Field Patch Tests (13-18 to 13-21)
  • Read about Specific Surfaces and Components Not Suitable for Encapsulation (13-8). Examine the figures on the same page (Figures 13.1 and 13.2) to see examples of surfaces unsuitable for encapsulation

Enclosure

Another method of abatement is enclosure. Learn more about enclosure methods in Chapter 12 (PDF) abatement procedures and follow these steps:

  • First, click on III: Enclosure Methods on page 12-24
  • Read Enclosure Methods – How To Do It on pages 12-7 to 12-10
  • Read 1. Labeling of Surfaces to be Enclosed on pages 12-24 to 12-25
  • On pages 12-28 to 12-30, read about the interior components suitable for enclosures, including drywall, ceilings, and floors

Removal and replacement

In Chapter 12 (PDF):

  • Learn about general procedures for building component replacement (PDF) on page 12-18
  • Find out about removal and replacement of different building components (PDF) starting on page 12-19 all the way up to page 12-23.

Prohibited practices

  • To gain a general overview, read about Lead-based Paint Hazards in Housing Renovation in Chapter 4 (PDF) under Part II on pages 4-4 to 4-11. On the same document, read and review Prohibited Activities on page 4-12
  • Review the prohibited practices listed in DHS 163.

Lead test kits

Quiz

Waste disposal

Cleaning

In Chapter 14 (PDF), study and review the following sections:

  • Read "how to do it," which includes pre-cleaning, cleaning while working, and final cleanup, on pages 14-3 to 14-4
  • Pay special attention to final cleaning procedures on 14-16 to 14-18
  • Study the decontamination procedures of workers, including cleaning supplies and equipment (page 14-16), cleaning of protective sheeting (page 14-17) and vacuuming and wet cleaning (page 14-17) in the V. Final Cleaning Procedures section of Chapter 14
  • Also review Table 14.1 on page 14-18 for a summary of cleaning methods

Clearance

  • Chapter 15 of HUD Guidelines provides information about Clearance procedures in Chapter 15 (PDF). You do not need to read the whole chapter, but instead, focus on studying these pages and sections:
    • Read the I. Introduction and A. Regulations Pertaining to Clearance
    • Read and review How to do it on pages 15-4 to 15-6
    • Learn about what qualifications one needs to perform clearance sampling (15-10) and possible conflicts of interest (15-10 to 15-11)
    • Read about the time you should wait between completion of cleanup and clearance on page 15-11
    • Read and review sections A, B, and C (Visual Assessment, Dust Sampling, and Recleaning and Resampling) on 15-39 to learn more about how to interpret clearance results and steps to take based on those results
    • Learn about the single surface wipe samples in the Clearance Dust Standards in Table 15.2 on page15-39
    • Learn how to do a visual assessment and the clearance requirements for both interior and exterior work sites on pages 15-19 to 15-20
  • In July 2021, Wisconsin’s dust lead hazard levels and clearance standards became stricter. Review the revised dust clearance levels at Lead-Safe Wisconsin.
  • Read the work practice standards for clearance, including who can conduct clearance and any prohibitions, in DHS 163.

Post-abatement report

  • Read what to include in an abatement report on EPA’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  • Read what to include in a clearance report on EPA's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  • Read more in the HUD Guidelines about what to include in the post-abatement report in Chapter 15 (PDF):
    • Under Report Preparation, read the Summary Report (15-42) and the Regulatory Report Requirements (15-43)
    • Examine Form 15.4 (15-53), an example Clearance Report Review Worksheet
    • Learn about recordkeeping by reading page 15-44, including Recordkeeping Responsibilities, Record Content, and Length of Retention

Quiz

Employer and supervisor responsibilities

  • Review the supervision requirements in the section about work practice standards for abatement activities in DHS 163.
  • The OSHA: Lead in Construction (PDF) Rule provides guidance on employer responsibilities, such as providing worker protection when exposure level is above the P.E.L. In the OSHA rule, start reading on page 8 about worker protection, and then read on pages 10-11 about exposure assessments, interpreting test results, and notifying employees of monitoring results
  • Read “How To Do It” on pages 9-3 to 9-4 in Chapter 9. There are 14 steps for providing worker protection. In this section, focus on the actions an employer or supervisor must take when exposure level is above the P.E.L.

OSHA responsibilities

  • Review the actions employers or supervisors must take, starting on page 7 in OSHA: Lead in Construction (PDF), when exposure levels reach the action level (A.L.) versus the permissible exposure level (P.E.L.). After that, go to page 10 to learn the guidelines for monitoring workers using Biological Monitoring Tests. Jump to page 29 to read about employee requirements for training regarding hazard communication
  • Read more about the Hazard Communication Standard in the EPA's Code of Federal Regulations.

Hygiene facilities and practices

Non-lead paint hazards

  • Learn about Chemical Paint Stripping in a Poorly Ventilated Space on page 12-35 in Chapter 12 (PDF).

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Protecting People (workers and non-workers)

  • Review Table 8.1 Interior Worksite Preparation on pages 8-13 of Chapter 8 (PDF)
  • Read the section for “Low Dust Jobs” and “Resident Location.”
  • Read about When Relocation is Necessary and What Are the Options? on page 8-29.

Respirators

Warning signs

  • Read the information about posting warning signs for exterior worksite preparation on page 8-26 in Chapter 8 (PDF).
  • View some example interior and exterior job warning signs on pages 8-17.
  • Read about worker protection by clicking on III. Signs or go to page 9-6 to 9-7 in Chapter 9 (PDF).

Quiz

  • Read about Window Systems (11-37), Door Systems (11-40), and Stair Systems (11-41)In Chapter 11 (PDF). View illustrations of a stair system with various parts labeled on page 11-42.
  • Read about the components of windows (page 12-19), doors (12-20), and stairs (12-30) in Chapter 12 (PDF).

Quiz

Glossary

 
Last revised June 1, 2026