Work legally and safely to prevent lead poisoning

Every repair, renovation, and painting job in San Francisco is a lead job.  These jobs will very likely disturb lead paint.

Contractors must follow City, State, and Federal lead laws to protect their clients and the public.

City

The San Francisco Building Code provides work procedures that will protect occupants and the surrounding areas from lead paint contamination.

State

Lead activities must use containment and leave the work area free of visible dust and debris.

Certain jobs done at residential and public buildings to remove lead paint or lead hazards for move than twenty years require the contractor to have a certification from the California Department of Public Health.

For more information, contact the Lead-Related Construction Program at (800) 597-5323.

Some construction waste may have enough lead in it to be classified as a hazardous waste.  Speak with the Regulatory Assistance Office of the State to learn more. 

Employers must also protect their workers from lead poisoning.  The Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program of the State provides useful information and tools.

Federal

Every firm that renovates, repairs, and paints in homes, childcare facilities, and preschools built before 1978 must be lead certified when disturbing more than 6 square feet of paint per room or more than 20 square feet on the exterior.

The Environmental Protection Agency provides more information on how to become a certified firm and what each firm must do to follow the federal law.