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Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention
Information for Shooting Range Operators

Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Information for Shooting Range Operators

Lead poisoning continues to be a significant problem at shooting ranges. Here shooting range operators can find answers to commonly asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do people get exposed to lead at the shooting range?

Workers are exposed to lead in all areas of the shooting range. Lead dust becomes airborne and settles everywhere, including on the retail counters, merchandise, and floors. Range customers are also exposed to lead.

2. What job tasks at shooting ranges put workers at the greatest risk for lead poisoning?

Some job tasks increase workers’ contact with lead, such as:

Emptying or cleaning bullet traps. This job can cause high lead exposure.
Cleaning the range (recovering bullet casings, cleaning floors). Dry sweeping will put a lot of lead dust into the air.
Spending time on the firing line. Every gunshot releases some lead into the air. Cleaning or handling guns or ammunition.

Learn more about the health effects of lead:

Lead and Your Health: Frequently Asked Questions - /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/Pages/LeadandHealth.aspx
Workplace Hazard Alert - Health Dangers from Lead - /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/LeadHazAlert.pdf

3. How can the shooting range be cleaned safely?

Routine cleaning of the entire shooting range will help reduce the amount of lead on surfaces. Use safe cleaning methods to avoid stirring up lead dust such as:

Vacuuming with a vacuum that has HEPA (high-efficiency) filters.
Clean all surfaces regularly with a damp cloth, including retail counters and break areas.
Wet sweep or mop instead of dry sweeping.

Learn more about the Basics of a Lead Health and Safety Program - /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/basics.pdfCDPH%20Document%20Library/basics.pdf

4. What Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should we provide?

PPE should always be provided by employers for workers to wear while doing high-risk tasks. PPE may include:

Disposable suits such as Tyvek®
Uniforms that stay at the shooting range for cleaning
NIOSH approved respirators (require fit testing and training)
Shoe covers
Gloves
Hearing protection (for noise)

Learn more at: Lead Safety - Doing It Right - /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/DoingItRight.pdf

5. Why no eating, drinking, or tobacco products in work areas?

To reduce the amount of lead dust workers may breathe in or swallow by accident, do not allow eating, drinking, or use of tobacco products in work areas. Provide designated break areas for these activities and keep them free of lead on surfaces. Provide lockers for storing personal items so they don’t collect lead dust. Require employees to wash their hands, face, and forearms with de-lead soap before eating, drinking, smoking, or vaping.

6. How can we avoid taking lead offsite to others? (“take-home” lead)

Lead dust sticks to skin, hair, clothes, and shoes. It is important to prevent workers from bringing lead into their cars and homes where others can be exposed. Children and pregnant women are especially at risk from “take-home” lead. After work, make sure employees:

Change into clean clothes and shoes.
Keep dirty work clothes and shoes separate from clean street clothes in a locker or plastic bag.
Wash hands, face and forearms with de-lead soap.
Shower and wash hair as soon as they get home, before touching loved ones or pets

To train workers about take-home lead, see our brochure: Don’t Take Lead Home From Your Job! (English)- /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/takehome.pdf , or Don't Take Lead Home From Your Job (Spanish)- Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/takehomeesp.pdf .

7. How do I know our Lead Safety Program is working?

One of the best ways to gauge the success of your lead safety program is to establish an ongoing lead medical program. A simple blood test will show how much lead you and your workers have in your bodies. Find a physician or licensed health care provider to provide lead-specific medical exams, including medical fitness for respirator use and blood testing. Provide blood testing when employees are first hired, and follow-up testing as proscribed in the Cal/OSHA occupational lead standards.

For more information on an employer’s responsibility to protect workers from lead exposure, see Medical providers of blood lead testing and respirator evaluations - /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/Pages/BLLTesters.aspx, and Employer Alert - Low Levels of Lead Dangerous - /Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/OLPPP/CDPH%20Document%20Library/EmployerAlert.pdf.

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Page Last Updated : October 7, 2019

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Information for Shooting Range Operators