1910.1025(h): Lead Housekeeping
Employers must keep all surfaces as free as practicable of lead buildup. Floors and surfaces where lead collects may not be cleaned with compressed air, and shoveling, sweeping or brushing may be used only where vacuuming or other equally effective methods have been tried and did not work. Vacuums must be used and emptied in a way that minimizes lead getting back into the workplace.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(h) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 166 times in the last 3 years, in 145 inspections, with $370,254 in current penalties.
- Most citations: CT (19), PA (14), VA (11).
- Related part: 1910.1025(h)(1) Surfaces (134 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(h) ("Housekeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.1025 Lead, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 5 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
(h) Housekeeping — 166 citations
(1) Surfaces. All surfaces shall be maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead. Open (h)(1) 134 citations
(2) Cleaning floors. Open (h)(2) 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
(3) Vacuuming. Where vacuuming methods are selected, the vacuums shall be used and emptied in a manner which minimizes the reentry of lead into the workplace. 2 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 | 9 |
| 2024 | 69 |
| 2025 | 37 |
| 2026 | 51 |
Top states: CT (19), PA (14), VA (11), NC (9), IL (9)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| A. STUCKI COMPANY | FREMONT, NE | $20,100 |
| NYRSTAR CLARKSVILLE INC. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $20,000 |
| UNIVERSAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | JANESVILLE, WI | $16,131 |
| VOESTALPINE PRECISION STRIP WI., INC | PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI | $15,193 |
| BASS PRO SHOPS | SPRINGFIELD, MO | $14,187 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1025(h), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Clarification of "as free as practicable" lead contamination on surfaces (2025-09-29)
- Use of compressed air when cleaning arsenic and lead contaminated surfaces (1993-03-18)
- Review of acceptable housekeeping requirements under the lead standard. (1979-09-18)
- 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)(1) Surfaces 134 citations
- 1910.1025(h)(2) Cleaning floors 30 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 is sweeping allowed?
Only where vacuuming or other equally effective methods have been tried and found not to be effective.
How should vacuums be handled?
They must be used and emptied in a manner that minimizes the reentry of lead into the workplace.
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.