Preventing Work-related Lead Exposure

Highlights

  • Workers, employers, and family members can prevent or reduce lead exposure.
  • Cleaning up lead is hard and expensive, so take steps to keep it out of your home and car.
  • If you are worried about your lead exposure, have your blood lead level checked.
  • Employers must ensure lead exposure limits are not exceeded.

Workers

If you work with lead, there are ways you can reduce your exposure:

  • Read and follow your employer's lead control and management plan.
  • Maintain a clean workspace and follow good hygiene practices.
  • Use required personal protective equipment (PPE).

If you are worried about your lead exposure, have your blood lead level checked.

Keep yourself safe

Learn more about reducing and preventing lead exposure while at work.
Information for Workers

Employers

  • Workplace exposure limits are meant to protect workers from hazardous exposures in the workplace. Employers must ensure exposure limits are not exceeded.
  • If lead is present, employers should follow the hierarchy of controls to figure out the most effective way(s) to control exposures.

Keep your employees safe

Learn about lead exposure limits and how to use the hierarchy of controls to protect your workers from lead.
Information for Employers

Families

  • If your workplace contains lead, you may be bringing it home to your family without knowing.
  • It's easier to keep lead out of your home and car than to clean them. Cleaning up lead is hard and expensive.

Keep your family safe

Learn about take-home lead and how to protect those in your household.
Protect Your Family from Work-related Lead
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Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health