Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
Rhode Island Department of HealthState of Rhode Island
Department of Health
Unsafe lead work practices put everyone at risk. Work that disturbs lead paint can put your family, neighbors, and workers at risk. Licensed professionals are trained to work safely. Learn about when a property owner can do the work themselves and when they need to hire a licensed lead professional.
Housing built before 1978 house is assumed to have lead paint. Any work done on these properties is regulated by the Rhode Island Department of Health. Property owners can do some small work themselves if they follow lead safe work practices. In most cases, a property owner will need to hire a licensed lead professional to do the work. Read the Lead Safe Work Practices regulations.
A property owner can do spot removal (or de minimis) repairs and maintenance. Spot removal must be areas less than 6 square feet of interior paint per room or less than 20 square feet of exterior lead-based paint. The entire work area counts towards these dimensions. You must follow lead safe work practices. These projects cannot involve mechanical sanding, window replacement, or demolition of painted surface areas.
For bigger projects, you must hire a licensed professional.
There are a few different types of lead professionals. The extent and type of work required for the project will determine what kind of lead professional you can hire. The extent and type of work required for the project will determine what kind of lead professional you can hire. Lead professionals who can do bigger projects have had more training. Need more help? Use this chart to figure out what lead professional is right for your project.
Most projects to fix lead hazards are considered “lead hazard control” (LHC) work. LHC includes replacing windows and work to fix lead hazards found in a lead inspection report. These projects remove lead-based paint and/or minimize lead exposure. LHC projects need to be done by a licensed Lead Renovation Firm. An LHC Clearance Inspection is required at the end of the project. Find licensed Lead Renovation Firms.
Lead hazard reduction (LHR) work aims to reduce lead on the property. This work could include but is not limited to repair, enclosure, encapsulation, or removal of lead based paint and/or lead contaminated dust, soil or drinking water. This is also called lead abatement work. LHR projects need to be done by a Licensed Lead Contractor. The Lead Contractor is required to hire licensed lead workers to work on this project as well. A LHR Clearance Inspection is required at the end of the project. Find licensed Lead Contractors.
Renovation, repair, and painting (RRP) re other projects in pre-1978 buildings. These projects may disturb lead paint, but do not aim to fix lead hazards or remove lead paint. For example, cabinet replacement or plumbing work that requires cutting a hole in the wall are considered RRP work. RRP work needs to be done by a licensed Lead Renovation Firm. Find licensed Lead Renovation Firms. Learn more about RRP work.
Hiring The Right Professional
It is important to hire a professional with the right licensed type. Professionals may have more than one license type. A licensed Lead Contractor cannot do RRP or LHC work. A licensed Lead Renovation Firm cannot do LHR work. Find a list of licensed lead professionals.
Before the Project Starts
Any firm doing RRP, LHC, or LHR work must deliver a copy of the Rhode Island version of the Renovate Right pamphlet to property owners and tenants no more than 60 days and no less than seven days before work begins.
All RRP, LHC, and LHR work require a Start Work Notice submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Health at least 7 calendar days before beginning a job. The lead professional will handle this process.
During the Project
All Lead Renovation Firms and Lead Contractors must have licensed supervisors on work sites monitoring the work at all times.
While work is being performed, licensed supervisors will ensure that workers:
When work is complete, the licensed supervisor will ensure that workers: