Lead-Safety 

Shopping List 

EPA Lead Pamphlet 

•	 Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information 

for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools 

Currently Federal regulations require contractors to provide a 

copy of the Renovate Right pamphlet to owners and occupants 

prior to starting work in pre-1978 housing. 

Contractors must also provide the Renovate Right pamphlet to 

owners and operators of child-care facilities and schools built prior 

to 1978 and provide information to parents or guardians of children 

under age 6 that attend. 

To learn more about the requirements and how to obtain copies 

of the pamphlet contact the National Lead Information Center 

at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) or visit EPA’s Web site at 

www.epa.gov/lead. 

Tools and Supplies 

•	 Barriers and signs 

•	 Tape 

•	 Stapler 

•	 Heavy plastic sheeting 

•	 Utility knife or scissors 

•	 Wet/dry sandpaper, sanding sponge 

•	 Misting bottle, pump sprayer 

•	 Chemical stripper 

•	 Power tools with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) 

filter-equipped vacuum attachments 

•	 Low-temperature heat gun 

•	 Heavy-duty plastic bags 

•	 HEPA vacuum cleaner 

•	 Paper towels or disposable wipes 

•	 Mop and disposable mop heads 

•	 General-purpose cleaner 

•	 Buckets 

•	 Shovel and rake 

Personal Protective Equipment 

•	 Eye wear 

•	 Painters’ hats 

•	 Gloves 

•	 Coveralls 

•	 Disposable shoe covers 

•	 N-100-rated disposable respirator 

EPA 740-F-08-001
March 2008
 

To learn more about working safely with lead, contact theNational Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323)

or visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead. 

Office of Pollution Prevention and ToxicsUnited StatesEnvironmental Protection AgencyWashington, D.C. 20460 

Recycled/RecyclablePrinted with Vegetable Oil-Based Inks on Recycled Paper (Minimum 50% Postconsumer) Process Chlorine Free 

CONTRACTORS
 

Lead Safety 

During 

Renovation
 

1-800-424-LEAD (5323) 

www.epa.gov/lead 
As a contractor, you play an important role in What To Do Inside:	 Leave the Work Area Clean 

protecting public health by helping prevent lead 

exposure. Ordinary renovation and maintenance 

activities can create dust that contains lead––even 

small amounts of lead can harm children and adults. 

New Rules for Contractors 

Beginning April 2010 contractors performing work that 

disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, 

and schools built before 1978 must: 

•	 Be EPA certified, and 

•	 Follow specific work practices to prevent lead 

contamination. 

To learn more about how you can meet these requirements 

contact the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424­

LEAD (5323) or visit www.epa.gov/lead. 

Be prepared for these new requirements. Adopt the following 

simple practices and you can work safely with lead. 

Talk to the Residents 

•	 Explain the steps you will take to protect residents from 

lead: 

•	 Set up work areas that will not expose residents. 

•	 Minimize the dust. 

• Leave the work area clean. 

When working in homes, child care facilities and schools built 

before 1978 you must provide the Renovate Right pamphlet 

to residents, or the facility operator before the job begins. You 

must also provide information to families whose children 

attend the child care facility or school. 

Set Up Safe Work Areas 

Select Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment 

•	 Review the lead-safety shopping list contained in this 

pamphlet to determine what items you need to safely 

perform the work. 

•	 Ensure your workers have appropriate eyewear, 

clothing, and respiratory protection for the job. 

The Work Area Should Be Contained So That No 

Dust Or Debris Leaves the Work Area. 

•	 Use signs to keep residents and pets out of the work area. 

•	 Remove furniture and belongings, or cover them securely with 

heavy plastic sheeting. 

•	 Use heavy plastic sheeting to cover floors and other fixed 

surfaces like large appliances in the work area. 

•	 When appropriate, use heavy plastic sheeting to separate the 

work area from the rest of the residence. 

•	 Close and seal vents in the work area and, if necessary, turn off 

forced-air heating and air conditioning systems. 

What To Do Outside: 

•	 Mark off the work area to keep non-workers away. 

•	 Cover the ground and plants with heavy plastic sheeting. 

•	 Close windows and doors near the work area. 

•	 Move or cover play areas near the work area. 

Minimize the Dust 

You Should Use Work Practices That Minimize Dust: 

•	 Mist areas before sanding, scraping, drilling, and cutting. 

•	 Score paint before separating components. 

•	 Pry and pull apart components instead of pounding and 

hammering. 

•	 Always use a shroud with HEPA vacuum attachment when 

using power tools and equipment. 

Do Not Use These Dangerous Practices 

When Working With Lead-Based Paint: 

•	 Open flame burning or torching. 

•	 Sanding, grinding, planing, needle gunning, or 

blasting with power tools unless equipped with a 

shroud and HEPA vacuum attachment. 

•	 Using a heat gun at temperatures greater 

than 1100°F. 

On a Daily Basis You Should: 

•	 Put trash and debris in heavy-duty plastic bags. 

•	 Wrap waste building components, such as windows and doors, in 

heavy plastic sheeting and tape shut. 

•	 Ensure everything, including tools, equipment, and even workers, are 

free of dust and debris before leaving the work area. 

•	 HEPA vacuum the work area. 

•	 Wash up and change out of work clothes before you and your workers 

go home. Remember, you do not want to bring lead-based paint dust 

home and expose your family. 

•	 Remind residents to stay out of the work area. 

When the Job Is Complete, You Should Also: 

•	 Remove the plastic sheeting carefully, mist with water, fold dirty side 

in, tape shut, and dispose of it. 

•	 HEPA vacuum all surfaces, including walls. 

•	 Wash the work area with a general purpose cleaner. 

•	 Check your work carefully for lead dust because hazardous amounts 

may be minute and not easily visible. If you see any dust or debris, then 

re-clean the area. 

•	 Perform a final clean-up check. Use disposable cleaning cloths to wipe 

the floor of the work area and compare them to a cleaning verification 

card to determine if the work area was adequately cleaned. 

•	 To order a cleaning verification card and detailed instructions visit our 

website at www.epa.gov/lead or contact the National Lead Information 

Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323). 

These Simple Practices Ensure That Your Jobs Are Better, 

Cleaner, And Safer. Your Customers Will Notice The Difference. 

To learn more about working safely with lead and upcoming 

requirements, contact the National Lead Information Center at 

1-800-424-LEAD (5323) or visit EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/lead.