Lead Paint Safety Toolbox Talk
Old paint can be full of lead, and sanding or burning it off puts lead dust in the air, on your clothes and in your car. Lead damages the brain, kidneys and nerves, and children are hit hardest. You can poison your own family by taking the dust home on your work clothes.
Takes about 5 minutes.
Key points to read out
- Lead paint was common before the 1970s and was used in some buildings until 1992. Assume paint in buildings from before 1970 contains lead, and test older layers in buildings up to the early 1990s.
- Test before you sand, scrape, cut or strip.
- No dry sanding, no power planing, and no open flame burning of lead paint.
- Set up plastic sheeting containment and keep other people out of the work area.
- Use wet methods and clean up with an H-class vacuum and wet wipes, never a broom.
- Wear an FFP3 mask and disposable coveralls.
- Wash your hands and face before you eat, drink or smoke. Never eat in the work area.
- Change out of work clothes and boots before getting in your car or going home. Wash work clothes separately.
- Regular lead work may need blood lead testing. Ask your supervisor.
Questions to ask the crew
- How old is the building we are working in, and has the paint been tested?
- Where are we setting up containment today?
- Where can you wash before lunch?
- What do you do with your work clothes at the end of the day?
Reference: Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
Sign-in sheet
Print this page or download the sign-in sheet. Or run it in the app and the crew signs on the phone.
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Get it signed
Run this talk in the app. The crew signs on your phone and you get a dated attendance record as a PDF.