1910.1025(h)(2): No Compressed Air for Cleaning Lead
Employers must not let floors and other surfaces where lead builds up be cleaned with compressed air. Shoveling, dry or wet sweeping and brushing may be used only where vacuuming or other equally effective methods have been tried and found not to work.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(h)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 30 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $31,499 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (5), VA (4), CT (3).
- Related part: 1910.1025(h) Housekeeping (166 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(h)(2) ("Cleaning floors") is one requirement inside 1910.1025 Lead, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(2) Cleaning floors. 30 citations
(i) Floors and other surfaces where lead accumulates may not be cleaned by the use of compressed air. 8 citations
(ii) Shoveling, dry or wet sweeping, and brushing may be used only where vacuuming or other equally effective methods have been tried and found not to be effective. Open (h)(2)(ii) 22 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1025.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 10 |
Top states: TN (5), VA (4), CT (3), MI (3), IL (3)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| A. STUCKI COMPANY | FREMONT, NE | $10,050 |
| COM2 COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | CAROL STREAM, IL | $6,292 |
| DYNAMIC LIFECYCLE INNOVATIONS, INC. | ONALASKA, WI | $4,269 |
| 68883 - CAMPBELLSVILLE INDUSTRIES INC | FINLEY, KY | $2,940 |
| BUDS TN, LLC | SEVIERVILLE, TN | $2,160 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1025(h)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Use of compressed air when cleaning arsenic and lead contaminated surfaces (1993-03-18)
- Request for temporary variance to housekeeping requirements for vacuuming under the lead standard; Criteria for portable vacuum machines for vacuuming clothing. (1979-06-04)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1025(h) Housekeeping 166 citations
- 1910.1025(h)(1) Surfaces 134 citations
- 1910.1025(h)(2)(ii) 22 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
Can compressed air be used to clean lead dust?
No. Floors and other surfaces where lead accumulates may not be cleaned with compressed air.
When can lead dust be swept or shoveled?
Only where vacuuming or other equally effective methods have been tried and found not to be effective.
What cleaning method should be tried first?
Vacuuming or other equally effective methods.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1025 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.