Define the term “lead-safe work practices.”

The term “lead-safe work practices” refers specifically to strategies that are designed to minimize lead exposure during renovation or maintenance activities. This approach is crucial because disturbing surfaces coated with lead paint can release harmful lead dust and particles into the air, which pose serious health risks, particularly to children and pregnant women.

By employing lead-safe work practices, individuals and contractors can ensure that lead dust is contained and that safety measures are taken to protect both workers and occupants. These practices typically include using plastic sheeting to contain work areas, employing wet methods to reduce dust, and ensuring proper clean-up after work is completed.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent the purpose of lead-safe work practices. While eliminating lead from homes is an important goal, it is a long-term solution rather than a practice used during maintenance or renovations. Promoting the use of lead paint contradicts the goal of protecting health, and guidelines for disposal do not encompass the active procedures required during renovation. Thus, the focus on minimizing exposure is what distinguishes lead-safe work practices as a critical component of risk management in environments where lead may be a hazard.