Welcome to the January 2026 edition of “Think About This” – brought to you from CORESafety TV and the National Mining Association.

In this episode, we’re talking about lead hazards and what to do about them, whether you’re at work or at home.

This is important to know, especially because the dangers aren’t always obvious to us.

If you’re a miner, safety really starts with awareness, and being aware of lead hazards can really help to protect you and your family.

To watch the Spanish version of this CORESafety TV episode, click here.

Mining processes can generate dangerous concentrations of lead. If you inhale or ingest lead, it can seriously damage your nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system. Your family can even get sick too, if you happen to carry lead dust home on your clothes or shoes.

What To Do:

• Wear an air-purifying respirator with high-efficiency filters in all work areas that have exposure to lead dust or fumes.
• Be clean shaven and fit tested to ensure maximum respirator efficiency.
• Change into clean work clothes and shoes before beginning work each day.
• Eat or drink in areas free of lead dust and fumes.
• Wash your hands and face before you eat or drink.
• Vacuum your work clothes and shoes before you eat or drink and before you remove them.
• Launder your clothes at work. If you have to take your work clothes home, wash and dry them separately.
• Avoid raising lead dust with dry sweeping or compressed air.
• Use a HEPA vacuum, do wet mopping, or both when you’re cleaning floors and surfaces.
• Conduct training on the hazards of lead and the precautions needed to protect miners.

Finally, if you work with lead or near materials that contain it, get enrolled in a Medical Surveillance Program and be tested for lead in your blood.

YOUR DAILY PRECAUTIONS

Each time you arrive at a mine site, you should —

• Look where you’ll be working and see if you might be exposed to lead in that area. If you are, follow the safety precautions mentioned in this video.
• Talk about safety frequently with your fellow miners. Help each other to stay aware of lead hazards. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Go here to read the MSHA Safety Alert about protecting miners from lead hazards.
• To learn more about CORESafety, click here to visit our website.