How you clean the range area is very important. Inadequate and/or inappropriate range cleaning procedures can actually create a greater risk of lead exposure. Perhaps the worst thing you can do is clean the range by dry sweeping. Similarly, compressed air can’t be used to clear floors or other surfaces of accumulated lead. Both procedures will stir up lead dust and increase airborne lead levels and exposures.
As you may know, there are two methods that should be considered for the routine cleaning of your range. One is wet mopping and the other is using a HEPA vacuum system. Both systems prevent settled lead from becoming stirred up and exposing employees to elevated airborne lead levels. However, you should be aware that if you use a wet mop procedure for range cleaning, the water may need to be managed as a hazardous waste. If you plan to use a HEPA vacuum system, make sure it is designed to be used to collect combustible dust so unburned or spilled gunpowder isn’t accidentally ignited. All Tiger-Vac vacuum cleaner systems for shooting range/shot house maintenance are designed either to meet the NFPA 652 Vacuum Cleaning Method requirements, clause 8.4.2.2.1, points 1 through 7 that define the minimum requirements that a portable vacuum must meet to be used to collect combustible particulate solids in unclassified (nonhazardous) areas or certified by a NRTL (Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory) for use in Division 2 Hazardous Locations for the recovery of combustible dusts.