When employing dry scraping, what should be avoided to ensure safety?

In the context of lead hazard remediation, employing dry scraping presents specific safety challenges, particularly concerning temperature management. When it comes to scraping surfaces that may contain lead-based paint, it is crucial to avoid using flame temperatures that exceed 1,100°F. This is because high temperatures can cause the lead-based paint to vaporize, creating toxic lead fumes.

Additionally, high temperatures may compromise the integrity of the surrounding materials and increase the risk of a fire or explosion. Maintaining safety while working with potentially hazardous substances like lead means ensuring that the temperature remains at a safe level to prevent any kind of hazardous releases into the air.

Using a vacuum can actually enhance safety by helping to contain dust and debris generated during the scraping process, thus preventing the spread of lead particles. Similarly, scraping heated surfaces, while needing caution, can still be done safely if temperatures are controlled. Handheld tools are typical in such practices but their use doesn't inherently pose a safety risk as long as the procedure is followed correctly. Therefore, maintaining flame temperatures below the critical threshold of 1,100°F is paramount to ensure a safe working environment when engaging in dry scraping.