Which decontamination procedure is important for workers to follow before eating?

Washing hands thoroughly is a critical decontamination procedure for workers to follow before eating because it effectively removes lead dust and other harmful contaminants that may have accumulated on the hands during construction or renovation activities involving lead-based materials. Hand hygiene is a key practice in preventing lead ingestion, which can occur when contaminants on the hands come into contact with food or are transferred to the mouth.

While changing clothes can reduce overall lead exposure, it does not directly address the immediate risk posed by contaminated hands before meals. The act of taking off respirators, although necessary for certain tasks, does not influence hand hygiene practices. Using hand sanitizer alone may not be sufficient, as it typically does not remove visible dirt or heavy contaminations. Therefore, handwashing with soap and water is emphasized as the most effective method to ensure that workers are not inadvertently exposing themselves to lead through consumption.