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Lead Warning Signs
Foundries and battery plants post the general industry version in each work area where airborne lead is above the permissible exposure limit. Construction crews use the version that says LEAD WORK AREA on its second line, because the construction rule prints those words instead of LEAD.
18" x 12"
Exact previewReal size
UV printedOutdoor inks
State rules shownAs you design
Lead Warning Sign prices
| Size | Aluminum | Plastic | Reflective |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12" x 18" | $42.95 | $25.95 | $68.95 |
| 18" x 12" | $42.95 | $25.95 | $68.95 |
| 24" x 18" | $63.95 | $40.95 | $137.95 |
| 36" x 24" | $126.95 | $81.95 | $274.95 |
Per sign, one side. Shipping $9.99, free on $99+.
Where lead warning signs are used
A bridge repainting crew sets this sign at the entry to a scaffold enclosure where old paint is being stripped, and a restoration contractor posts one at the door of an older house being taken down to the studs. In a plant, a safety officer may hang a copy at the gate to a melting area or a battery recycling area where airborne lead can rise. Visitors, temporary workers and subcontractors often walk past a work zone without knowing the lead rules, and a clear legend at the entrance tells them what to do. The site foreman or the plant safety officer decides where it goes.
Choosing the size and where to hang it
In each work area where lead exposure is above the limit, mount the sign at a height people read on approach. The 36 x 24 inch landscape size reads from farther off on a long fence, and the 12 x 18 inch portrait size suits a door or post. Rust-free aluminum handles outdoor scaffolds, plastic moves with the work, and reflective aluminum suits a night entrance. Keep the face clean and lit. Aluminum offers 1/4 inch holes; plastic comes with brass grommets.
Questions about lead warning signs
Why does the second line say LEAD on one sign and LEAD WORK AREA on the other?
The general industry rule (29 CFR 1910.1025), which shipyards also follow, prints LEAD on that line. The construction rule (29 CFR 1926.62) prints LEAD WORK AREA there. The two lines after it are the same on both. Which rule covers a job is the employer's call, so ask your safety officer before you choose.
Is the older lead sign with POISON still allowed?
No. The older WARNING sign with POISON and NO SMOKING OR EATING lines was allowed only until June 1, 2016, when OSHA's 2012 HazCom alignment became mandatory. The current wording ends with DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE IN THIS AREA.
Does California use different lead wording?
Cal/OSHA prints LEAD WORK AREA for both construction and general industry, and it sets the posting point at the action level instead of only above the limit. Other states can set their own rules, so check your state and local rules before you choose a version.
Why doesn't the lead sign have an AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY line?
The lead rule includes no such line in either version, so this sign prints the wording as written. The lines are DANGER, LEAD or LEAD WORK AREA, the fertility and nervous system lines, and DO NOT EAT, DRINK OR SMOKE IN THIS AREA. Other notices on or near the sign must not contradict or detract from it.
Who decides between the construction and general industry version?
The employer decides, since the standard that covers a job depends on the work being done and where. Pick the version that matches that decision, and ask your safety officer if one site has both kinds of work. The builder shows the citation for each version.
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