Main navigation

Lead Paint: Best Practices for Painting

Topic:

Personal Protective Equipment (As Needed)

  • Safety glasses or goggles
  • Gloves: Cotton, leather, or rubber*
  • Disposable coveralls
  • Disposable respirator
  • Ear plugs

*Rubber gloves providing good chemical resistance include: butyl, neoprene, or nitrile rubber. Disposable nitrile gloves can be worn, but are not as resistant to cuts and abrasions.

Equipment/Supplies

  • Plastic (6 mil minimum) or cloth drop cloth
  • Heavy duty plastic bags
  • Hand scrapers and wire brushes
  • Duct tape
  • GFCI equipped extension cords
  • Rags or paper towels
  • Mist or garden sprayer
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Hand and power tools

Work Practices

  • Gather tools, equipment, and supplies needed to perform surface preparation work;
  • Isolate the area and limit access to non-authorized personnel;
  • Prepare the area with drop cloth directly below the work area to capture paint chips, dirt and debris to facilitate cleanup;
  • Secure drop cloth is necessary with duct tape to minimize movement;
  • Adequately mist peeling paint to minimize dust generation;
  • Operate power tools at the lowest power setting to better limit dust generation;
  • Pick up paint chips and debris and place in heavy duty plastic bags and disposable plastic drop cloth;
  • Vacuum or wet wipe surfaces in preparation for priming or painting;
  • Place disposable gloves, coveralls, and respirator into the plastic disposal bags upon completion of work;
  • Clean tools with vacuum cleaner or wet wipes;
  • Dispose of debris and contaminated work materials as solid waste unless required otherwise; and
  • Exercise good personal hygiene upon completion of work.