Work clothes and tools can carry invisible lead dust — and take it home with you.
Why It Matters:
Lead doesn’t just stay on the job. If it gets on your skin, clothing, or gear, you could expose your family without realizing it. Proper hygiene and decontamination procedures keep lead out of your home and bloodstream.
Key Points:
- Always wash your hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking — never do these activities in work areas.
- Change out of contaminated work clothes before leaving the site. Don’t wear them in your vehicle or home.
- Use designated wash stations or decon areas when available.
- Clean tools and equipment that may have been exposed to lead dust before reuse.
- Never blow off dust with compressed air — it spreads contamination.
- Shower at the end of the shift when possible, especially if your work involved sanding, scraping, or demolishing lead-painted surfaces.
✅ What you carry home matters — stay clean, stay safe.
Ask the Crew:
- Where can we clean up after lead work today?
- Are we changing out of dusty clothing before going home?
