1926.62(g): Lead Protective Clothing and Equipment
Employers must provide, at no cost, and make sure workers use protective clothing and equipment when they are exposed to lead above the PEL, exposed to irritating lead compounds, or doing certain interim-protection tasks. Employers must also supply it clean and dry, launder or dispose of it, repair or replace it, and make sure it is removed only in change areas at the end of the shift.
Key takeaways
- 1926.62(g) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 17 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $46,628 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (6), MD (3), CT (2).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.62(g) ("Protective work clothing and equipment") is one requirement inside 1926.62 Lead, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). It includes 15 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
(g) Protective work clothing and equipment — 17 citations
(1) Provision and use. Where an employee is exposed to lead above the PEL without regard to the use of respirators, where employees are exposed to lead compounds which may cause skin or eye irritation (e.g. lead arsenate, lead azide), and as interim protection for employees performing tasks as specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, the employer shall provide at no cost to the employee and assure that the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing and equipment that prevents contamination of the employee and the employee's garments such as, but not limited to: 9 citations
(i) Coveralls or similar full-body work clothing; 2 citations
(ii) Gloves, hats, and shoes or disposable shoe coverlets; and 1 citations
(iii) Face shields, vented goggles, or other appropriate protective equipment which complies with § 1910.133 of this chapter.
(2) Cleaning and replacement. 8 citations
(i) The employer shall provide the protective clothing required in paragraph (g)(1) of this section in a clean and dry condition at least weekly, and daily to employees whose exposure levels without regard to a respirator are over 200 µg/m3 of lead as an 8-hour TWA. 1 citations
(ii) The employer shall provide for the cleaning, laundering, and disposal of protective clothing and equipment required by paragraph (g)(1) of this section. 1 citations
(iii) The employer shall repair or replace required protective clothing and equipment as needed to maintain their effectiveness.
(iv) The employer shall assure that all protective clothing is removed at the completion of a work shift only in change areas provided for that purpose as prescribed in paragraph (i)(2) of this section. 2 citations
(v) The employer shall assure that contaminated protective clothing which is to be cleaned, laundered, or disposed of, is placed in a closed container in the change area which prevents dispersion of lead outside the container. 1 citations
(vi) The employer shall inform in writing any person who cleans or launders protective clothing or equipment of the potentially harmful effects of exposure to lead.
(vii) 3 citations
(A) The employer shall ensure that the containers of contaminated protective clothing and equipment required by paragraph (g)(2)(v) of this section are labeled as follows: 3 citations
DANGER: CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT CONTAMINATED WITH LEAD. MAY DAMAGE FERTILITY OR THE UNBORN CHILD. CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM. DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE WHEN HANDLING. DO NOT REMOVE DUST BY BLOWING OR SHAKING. DISPOSE OF LEAD CONTAMINATED WASH WATER IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
(B) Prior to June 1, 2015, employers may include the following information on bags or containers of contaminated protective clothing and equipment required by paragraph (g)(2)(v) in lieu of the labeling requirements in paragraph (g)(2)(vii)(A) of this section:
Caution: Clothing contaminated with lead. Do not remove dust by blowing or shaking. Dispose of lead contaminated wash water in accordance with applicable local, state, or federal regulations.
(viii) The employer shall prohibit the removal of lead from protective clothing or equipment by blowing, shaking, or any other means which disperses lead into the air.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.62.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 7 |
Top states: NY (6), MD (3), CT (2), RI (2), MI (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| COMMODORE MAINTENANCE CORPORATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $23,170 |
| COMMODORE MAINTENANCE CORPORATION | BROOKLYN, NY | $16,133 |
| EMPIRE BUILDING DIAGNOSTICS, INC. | DEPEW, NY | $4,000 |
| HOUSES PAINTING AND MORE LLC | STAUNTON, VA | $3,075 |
| AARON JANELLE | FARMINGTON, ME | $250 |
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A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.62(g), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.62(g).
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Frequently asked questions
Who pays for lead protective clothing?
The employer must provide it at no cost to the employee.
How often must clean protective clothing be provided?
At least weekly, and daily for employees whose exposure without regard to a respirator is over 200 ug/m3 of lead as an 8-hour TWA.
Where must contaminated clothing be taken off?
At the end of the work shift, only in change areas provided for that purpose.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.62 (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 2026-10-19
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.