PEOSH Lead Exposure in Construction (29 CFR 1926.62)
Lead Exposure in Construction (#4 in a series of 6)
Protective Clothing
November 1996
At no cost to employees, employers must provide workers (exposed to lead above the PEL and for whom the possibility of skin contamination or skin or eye irritation exist) clean, dry protective work clothing and equipment. Appropriate changing facilities must also be provided. Appropriate protective work clothing and equipment used on construction sites can include:
Disposable coveralls and separate shoe covers may be used, if appropriate, to avoid the need for laundering. Nondisposable coveralls should be replaced daily. If an employee leaves the work area wearing protective clothing, the clothing should be cleaned with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum equipment to remove loose particle contamination; or as an alternative, the coveralls should be removed. Before respirators are removed, HEPA vacuuming or other suitable method, such as damp wiping, should be used to remove loose particle contamination on the respirator and at the face-mask seal. Use work garments of appropriate size, and use duct tape to reinforce their seams (e.g., underarm, crotch, and back).
Contaminated clothing that is to be cleaned, laundered or disposed of should be placed in closed containers. Containers shall be labeled with the following warning:
CAUTION: Clothing contaminated with lead. Do not remove dust by blowing or shaking. Dispose of lead-contaminated wash water in accordance with applicable local, state, or federal regulations.
Persons responsible for handling contaminated clothing should be informed of the potential hazard in writing. At no time should lead be removed from protective clothing or equipment by any means that disperses lead into the work area, such as brushing, shaking, or blowing.
At no time may workers be allowed to leave the worksite wearing lead contaminated clothing or equipment, e.g. shoes, coveralls, or head gear.
All contaminated clothing and equipment should be prevented from reaching the worker's home or vehicle. This is an essential step in reducing the movement of lead contamination from the workplace into a worker's home and provides added protection to employees and their families.
Gloves and protective clothing should be appropriate for the specific chemical exposure (e.g., solvents and caustics). Cotton gloves provide some protection against the contamination of hands and cuticles with lead dust. Workers should wear clothing that is appropriate for existing weather and temperature conditions under the protective clothing.
Heat stress: Workers wearing protective clothing can face a risk from heat stress. Additionally, heat stress may be an important concern when working in a hot environment or within containment structures. Heat stress is caused by a number of interacting factors, including: environmental conditions, type of protective clothing worn, the work activity required, and the individual characteristics of the employee.
In situations where heat stress is a concern, employers should use appropriate work/rest regimens and provide heat stress monitoring that includes measuring employee's heart rates, body temperatures, and weight loss.
A source of water or electrolytic drink should be close to the work area (in a non-contaminated eating/drinking area) so that it will be used often. Workers should wash their hands and face prior to drinking any fluid. Frequent fluid intake throughout the day will replace body fluids lost to evaporation. If such measures are used to control heat stress, protective clothing can be safely worn to provide the needed protection against lead exposure. The possibility of heat stress and its signs and symptoms should be discussed with all workers.
Information used in this bulletin was obtained from Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration publications.
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Last Updated: December 1, 1997