Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Lead Supervisor Study Guide

The lead supervisor exam includes 100 questions and covers the following general topic areas.

Learn more about the lead certification exams

The information you’ll need to know to pass the lead supervisor certification exam comes mostly from these government agencies.

In the study guide below, 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 topic:

Health effects

Lead hazards

Extra credit

Determine the type of project

DHS certification and notifications

Paperwork

Pre-cleaning

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

Restrict access and post signs

Extra credit

Quiz Yourself: Module 2 Kahoot

Overview

Cleaning

Containment

Read about containment (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)
  • In Wis. Admin Code ch. DHS 163 read and review a list of work practice standards, which includes a section for containing the work area

Interim controls versus abatement

Interim controls

Under the section Paint Stabilization, 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 the 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, P-03180 (PDF)
  • In the chapter about Abatement (PDF) in the HUD Guidelines, 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, go to their work practice standards and review the responsibilities of the Lead Abatement Supervisor

Encapsulation

One method of abatement is encapsulation. Learn about abatement by encapsulation (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 and13-4.
  • 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 (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

Prohibited practices

Lead test kits

  • Learn about lead test kits – for homeowners and certified professionals - on DHS’s Lead-Safe Wisconsin webpage
  • Read more about lead test kits on EPA's website

Extra credit

Quiz Yourself: Module 3 Kahoot

Waste disposal

Cleaning

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

  • Read "how to do it" (PDF), which includes pre-cleaning, cleaning while working, and final cleanup, on pages 14-3 to 14-4
  • Pay special attention to final cleaning procedures (PDF) 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 (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
    • In July 2021, Wisconsin’s dust lead hazard levels and clearance standards became stricter. Review the revised dust clearance levels on the DHS website
    • 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
  • Read DHS guidelines on the work practice standards for clearance, including who can conduct clearance and any prohibitions

Post-abatement report

Extra credit

Quiz Yourself: Module 4 Kahoot

Employer and supervisor responsibilities

  • In Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 163, review the supervision requirements in the section about work practice standards for abatement activities
  • The OSHA Lead in Construction 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” (PDF) on pages 9-3 to 9-4 in the HUD Guidelines. 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

Hygiene facilities and practices

Non-lead paint hazards

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

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Protecting People (workers and non-workers)

Review Table 8.1 Interior Worksite Preparation (PDF) on pages 8-13, specifically the section for “Low Dust Jobs” and “Resident Location.” Then on the same link, go to page 8-29 and read about When Relocation is Necessary and What Are the Options?

Respirators

Warning signs

Extra credit

Quiz Yourself: Module 5 Kahoot

Extra credit

Quiz Yourself: Module 6 Kahoot

Glossary

 
Last revised August 22, 2025