Hygiene Provisions

Employers must provide hygiene facilities to prevent workers from contaminating areas outside of the work zone. These hygiene provisions can include hand washing facilities, showers, changing rooms, and designated eating areas.

Hand washing facilities are a must for all employees exposed to lead. Showers are required when feasible, but not all work situations can allow for employers to provide showers. Showers help eliminate the risk of workers bringing lead dust home to their families. They also help prevent the risk of ingesting and inhaling lead dust after workers have stopped working.

Workers exposed to lead are provided with protective clothing, and must not leave work while still wearing this clothing to avoid bringing lead dust back home. Because of this, employers must provide changing areas. Changing areas must include separate storage areas for protective work clothing and street clothes, so that the work clothing does not contaminate a worker's normal clothing.

Employers must also provide eating areas that are as free as possible from lead dust. This is another reason for changing rooms, since workers must not wear their protective clothing into the eating area if the clothing is contaminated.

To learn more about Construction Lead Exposure visit our Cal/OSHA Construction Lead Exposure Online Training web page.