Lead
Lead is a highly toxic metal that’s found in many common materials including old paints and primers, industrial paints and primers, car batteries, bullets, and electronics. Materials containing lead are often encountered during construction, maintenance, and manufacturing activities.
When lead is inhaled or ingested, it can poison the body causing serious damage to the blood-forming system, nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems.
Certification is required by the Department of Commerce, not L&I. Meeting certification requirements in WAC 365-230 is not the same as meeting L&I’s training requirements, and vice versa. Visit the Department of Commerce or call (360) 586-5323 if you have questions.
Rules
L&I Rules
Other Agency Rules
Policies
- Occupational Exposure to Lead (WRD 84-12B ).
- Lead Exposure in Construction (WRD 95-1).
Abrasive Blasting Respirators and Lead Protection (WIIM 97-2-F) (70 KB PDF).- Lead and hot work in enclosed or confined spaces (WIIM 98-1-L) (98 KB PDF).
Training Materials and Workshops
For all workplaces
- Occupational
Lead Exposure: an Alert For Workers (67 KB PDF) / Exposición
de Plomo en el Trabajo -- Un Aviso para los Trabajadores (174 KB PDF) - a
brochure about the hazards of lead to workers.
- Working
with lead: How to protect workers' health (153 KB PDF).
For Construction
- Lead in Construction Training Kit - an editable Powerpoint training on the hazards of working with lead in construction.
- Lead in Construction Workshop - a free workshop scheduled by L&I.
- Protect Yourself and Your Family from Lead Poisoning a brochure for ironworkers, painters, welders, and others.
- How
to Avoid Lead Poisoning in Bridge Work (124 KB PDF) - a
brochure about the hazards of lead paint on bridges.
- Preventing Lead Poisoning in Construction Workers - brochure includes air sampling results for various construction tasks. (From National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH))
For General Industry
- Lead
Hazards at Indoor Firing Ranges (39 KB PDF) - a 2 page fact sheet.
- Preventing
Lead Poisoning in Radiator Repair Work (89 KB PDF) - a brochure for owners & managers
of radiator repair businesses.
- Preventing
Lead Poisoning in Scrap Metal Recycling (164 KB PDF) - a brochure for employers in scrap metal
recycling businesses.
Videos
Please read an important message about videos in the DOSH Safety & Health Video
Library.
Important:
Some videos may contain code violations or information inconsistent with Washington State's Safety & Health rules.
Many commercially produced safety and health videos are based on Federal OSHA Standards. Federal OSHA standards may not be as stringent as the Washington State Industrial Safety and Health Standards. Every effort has been made by the library to evaluate the videos before purchasing them. Safety and Health Standards may have changed since the time of purchase. The user assumes the responsibility of previewing the videos before showing and using it with a knowledgeable instructor.
- “He’s not the man I married – could it be lead?”
- “Keep the lead out”
- “Lead Awareness”
- Scroll a list of other Lead Safety videos
Other Resources
Please read an important message about links on this page.
Important:
"Links" to other information sources are provided as a courtesy, but we cannot vouch for or take responsibility for information contained beyond files administered by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Links from this page do not represent or imply the endorsement of commercial products by the State of Washington, Labor and Industries, or by departmental staff. For more information, read L&I's Intended Usage policy.
- How to report occupational blood lead test results.
- Publications on lead from L&I's Safety & Health Research program (SHARP).
- Model Specifications for the Protection of Workers from Lead on Steel Structures (CPWR).
- Battery Manufacturing and Secondary Lead Smelter (eTools from OSHA).
- Lead information from NIOSH.
- Lead information from OSHA.
- Department of Health's Lead Resources.
- Department of Ecology Lead information.
- Certification Forms, from the Department of Commerce.
- List of currently-certified firms that perform lead-based paint abatement in Washington, from the Department of Commerce.
- Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil - information from the EPA.
- Lead Control Guide for Bridges and Steel Structures: Protecting
Workers During Rehabilitation and Demolition.
Read about this publication and how to order it.
This 52-page booklet focuses on developing and implementing engineering and work-practice controls for lead and other paint hazards. The information should help owners, contractors, engineers, industrial hygienists, and worker trainers to comply with the OSHA Lead Exposure in Construction standard. The booklet was produced by the Mount Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the Hunter College Urban Public Health Program, both in New York City. The booklets cost $6 each -- or less for bulk orders. For information call 212-241-7573 or email: agoldber@hunter.cuny.edu
Related Topics
How can I get help from L & I?
- Call or visit your local L&I consultation or risk manager today to ask for technical assistance or to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
- Find information about filing a workplace safety & health complaint. You may also call or visit a local L&I office to file a complaint.
- For general information, call 1-800-423-7233.
