CSLB Environmental Regulations and Compliance 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which California agency is primarily responsible for enforcing environmental regulations affecting contractors, including hazardous waste, air quality, and water quality programs?
- Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
- California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) (Correct answer)
- Contractors State License Board (CSLB)
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Correct answer: California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA)
CalEPA oversees environmental protection in California, including hazardous waste, air quality, and water quality through its boards, departments, and offices.
Question 2: Under federal RCRA regulations, how must California contractors handle hazardous waste generated on job sites?
- Dispose of it in any licensed landfill
- Mix it with non-hazardous waste to reduce overall volume
- Use licensed hazardous waste haulers and approved disposal facilities (Correct answer)
- Bury it on-site if quantities are below one ton
Correct answer: Use licensed hazardous waste haulers and approved disposal facilities
RCRA requires hazardous waste to be transported by licensed haulers to permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facilities under the cradle-to-grave management principle.
Question 3: A contractor discovers asbestos-containing materials (ACM) during a renovation project. What must the contractor do FIRST before any further work?
- Remove the ACM immediately using standard PPE to minimize exposure time
- Cover the ACM and continue work in unaffected areas
- Stop work and notify the appropriate Air Quality Management District before disturbing the material (Correct answer)
- Collect a sample for testing and resume work pending results
Correct answer: Stop work and notify the appropriate Air Quality Management District before disturbing the material
Federal NESHAP regulations require notifying the local air quality agency and stopping work before asbestos-containing materials are disturbed during renovation or demolition.
Question 4: California construction sites that disturb one or more acres must obtain which permit to legally address stormwater runoff?
- California Water Board General Site Permit
- National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (Correct answer)
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Certification from CalEPA
- Environmental Impact Report (EIR) approval from the lead agency
Correct answer: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit
The NPDES Construction General Permit is required for sites disturbing one or more acres and mandates implementation of a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP).
Question 5: The EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule primarily requires contractors working on pre-1978 residential buildings to:
- Remove all lead paint before beginning any renovation work
- Be certified in lead-safe work practices and follow specific containment and cleanup procedures (Correct answer)
- Test all painted surfaces for lead before submitting a bid
- Notify the local health department 30 days before starting any work
Correct answer: Be certified in lead-safe work practices and follow specific containment and cleanup procedures
The RRP Rule requires contractors to be EPA-certified and use lead-safe work practices including containment, waste management, and thorough cleanup — not necessarily full removal.
Question 6: Who is the 'Legally Responsible Person' (LRP) required to sign a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) under California's Construction General Permit?
- The project engineer or licensed architect of record
- The property owner or developer exclusively
- The owner or operator with day-to-day operational control of construction activities (Correct answer)
- The CSLB-licensed qualifying individual for the prime contractor
Correct answer: The owner or operator with day-to-day operational control of construction activities
The LRP is the person or entity with operational control over the construction site, typically the prime contractor, and must sign and certify the SWPPP.
Question 7: California's Proposition 65 requires contractors to provide clear and reasonable warnings when workers or the public may be exposed to listed chemicals. These chemicals are known to cause:
- Respiratory illness or acute workplace injuries
- Cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm (Correct answer)
- Neurological disorders or cognitive impairment only
- Skin disease or occupational dermatitis
Correct answer: Cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm
Proposition 65 specifically covers chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
CSLB Environmental Regulations and Compliance 1
Which California agency is primarily responsible for enforcing environmental regulations affecting contractors, including hazardous waste, air quality, and water quality programs?