Health Alert
Protecting Miners from Lead Hazards
Mining processes can generate dangerous concentrations of lead, a metal that can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system if inhaled or ingested.
How to Avoid Lead Exposure:
- Wear an air-purifying respirator with high-efficiency filters in all work areas that have exposure to lead dust or fumes.
- Be clean shaven and fit tested to ensure maximum respirator efficiency.
- Change into clean work clothes and shoes before beginning work each day.
- Eat or drink in areas free of lead dust and fumes.
- Wash your hands and face before you eat or drink.
- Vacuum your work clothes and shoes before you eat or drink and before you remove them.
- Launder your clothes at work. If you must take work clothes home, wash and dry them separately.
- Avoid raising lead dust with dry sweeping or compressed air.
- Use a HEPA vacuum and/or wet mopping for cleaning floors and surfaces.
- Conduct training on the hazards of lead and the precautions needed to protect miners.
If you work with or around lead containing materials, you should be enrolled in a medical surveillance program and be tested for lead in your blood.
YOUR FAMILY CAN GET SICK IF YOU
TAKE HOME LEAD DUST ON YOUR
CLOTHES AND SHOES.