Lead Paint Awareness in Renovation
29 CFR 1926.62 · This talk in Spanish
Why it matters
Houses and buildings painted before 1978 are more likely to have lead paint, often under newer coats. Sanding, torching, scraping, and demo turn it into dust and fumes that can hurt your nerves, kidneys, and blood. The dust rides home on your clothes and skin, and no safe level of lead has been found for kids. OSHA construction lead rules cover us any time we may be exposed. Today: recognize, contain, and wash.
Hazards
- ⚠ Sanding or grinding painted surfaces without controls
- ⚠ Torch cutting through painted steel producing lead fume
- ⚠ Dry scraping and demo dust in older housing
- ⚠ Eating or smoking with lead dust on hands
- ⚠ Take-home exposure on clothes, boots, and in vehicles
- ⚠ Assuming newer top coats mean no lead underneath
Controls and safe practices
- ✓ Presume lead in pre-1978 paint until tested.
- ✓ No dry sanding, dry scraping, or torching on suspect paint without the plan, controls, and required PPE.
- ✓ Use wet methods, HEPA-attached tools, and containment per the job plan.
- ✓ Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking, every time.
- ✓ Change out of work clothes before your vehicle and home; bag contaminated clothing.
- ✓ HEPA vacuum only for cleanup, never dry sweeping or compressed air.
- ✓ Report suspect paint conditions before cutting or demoing painted surfaces.
Crew discussion questions
- What year was this building painted, and has anyone tested it?
- Which of our tasks this week disturb painted surfaces?
- Where do we wash up before lunch on this site?
- What is our plan for keeping dust off clothes that go home?
Applicable OSHA standards
29 CFR 1926.62
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