BLR’s Safety Training Presentations Lead Safety 29 CFR 1910.1025, 29 CFR 1915.1025, 29 CFR 1926.62 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Goals Lead exposures, health hazards, and exposure limits Controlling lead exposure, medical surveillance, and air monitoring Quiz 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Uses of Lead in Industry Building construction materials Plumbing Paint Other uses 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Workplace Lead Exposure Demolition or construction work on lead painted surfaces Smelter operations Construction—plumbing, welding, painting Lead recovery operations Firing ranges 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Risks of Construction Exposure Demolition or salvage Removal or encapsulation Renovation, repair, or alteration of structures Installation of lead products Lead emergency cleanup Transportation, disposal, storage, or containment 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. How Lead Enters the Body Dust or fumes Inhalation Ingestion Skin contact not hazardous 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Operations Generating Dust and Fumes Abrasive blasting Flame torch cutting, welding, heat guns Sanding, scraping, grinding Maintaining lead equipment 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Symptoms of Lead Exposure Report these symptoms of exposure immediately: –Loss of appetite –Metallic taste in mouth –Anxiety –Stomach cramps –Pale skin –Tiredness –Headache –Nervous irritability –Muscle and joint pain –Tremors –Numbness –Dizziness Short-Term Lead Exposure Lead is a poison Health effects depend on how much lead is absorbed Seizures, coma, and death 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Long-Term Lead Exposure Lead builds up in the body over time Anemia Damage to nervous system Damage to kidneys and other organs Damage to reproductive system 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Permissible Exposure Limit 50 ug/m3 over an 8-hour period Restricted area Signs posted Respirators required Plans to reduce exposure Written compliance program Showers, changing rooms, and lunchrooms 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Action Level 30 µg/m3 over an 8-hour period Reduce lead levels Provide medical exam before starting job Provide blood tests Monitor the air Inform employees of lead hazards Provide access to medical records 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Goals Lead exposures, health hazards, and exposure limits Controlling lead exposure, medical surveillance, and air monitoring Quiz 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Control Lead Exposure Restrict access Post warning signs Install ventilation systems Implement job rotation Practice proper housekeeping and hygiene 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Ventilation Mechanical system used with enclosures Local portable system Shrouded power tools Measurements taken every three months 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Respirators Use as a last resort Voluntary use is permitted Change cartridges at any time Remove properly to prevent contamination 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Respirators and The Construction Standard Assumes lead levels for various tasks Half-mask, air purifying or cartridge Powered air-purifying Supplied-air respirator 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Other PPE Coveralls Gloves Hats Shoe covers Face shields or goggles 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. PPE Cleaning and Disposal Remove dust with a vacuum Do not remove lead by blowing or shaking Dispose of contaminated clothing properly Label disposal and laundry containers Dispose of contaminated wash water properly 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Housekeeping and Hygiene Keep surfaces free of lead Remove lead dust with a HEPA vacuum Keep food, beverages, or tobacco out of high lead areas Wash before eating, smoking, or applying cosmetics Don’t wear lead-contaminated clothing home Store work clothes separate from personal clothes 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Medical Surveillance Employers must provide a medical exam for employees when: –First assigned to work near lead –Exposed to the action level for more than 30 days a year –Symptoms are reported –High lead levels are present in blood –Employees request medical advice Employees must be informed of blood test results 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Removal from Lead Exposure Employees must be removed from lead exposure when: –Blood levels are above 50 µg –Lead exposures cannot be brought below action level –Employee has increased risk of health impairment Employees removed because of lead exposure: –Must retain pay, seniority, and benefits –May return to job once blood levels are reduced –May be given drug therapy to reduce blood lead levels 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Air Monitoring Required if there are indications of lead Performed every 3 months if above the PEL Performed every 6 months if above the action level Required if there are changes in the workplace Results provided to employees 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Worker Protection Plan Hazard determination Engineering and work practice controls Signs Respiratory protection Protective clothing and equipment Housekeeping Hygiene facilities and practices Medical surveillance Training Emergencies Sweep spills into sealed containers Do not allow lead to enter environment For inhalation, get fresh air and medical attention For ingestion, rinse mouth, induce vomiting, get medical attention 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Goals Lead exposures, health hazards, and exposure limits Controlling lead exposure, medical surveillance, and air monitoring Quiz 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Summary Learn job tasks that risk lead exposure Know symptoms of lead exposure Use ventilation Wear respirator Follow hygiene practices 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Name two severe health effects that can result from long-term lead exposure. Name two symptoms of short-term lead overexposure. How does lead enter your body? Workers exposed to lead at or above the action level for more than 30 days per year must have their blood tested. True or False To control lead exposure, OSHA recommends using respirators first. True or False 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz (cont.) 6. Describe how lead dust should be cleaned from contaminated clothing. 7. Name an engineering control used to reduce lead exposure 8. When you report possible symptoms of lead overexposure, your employer must offer and pay for a medical exam. True or False 9. When does OSHA require initial air monitoring for lead exposure in the workplace? 10. For what type of construction work does OSHA automatically require workers to wear air-supplied respirators? 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers 1. Anemia, nervous system damage, kidney damage, reproductive system damage 2. Lose of appetite, metallic taste, anxiety, constipation, nausea, pale skin, weakness, headache, muscle or joint pain, tremors, numbness, dizziness, stomach pain 3. Inhalation or ingestion of lead dust or fumes 4. True 5. False, OSHA requires engineering and administrative controls to be implemented. Respirators are a last resort. 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc. Quiz Answers (cont.) 6. 7. 8. 9. Vacuum dust—do not blow with air or shake clothing Ventilation systems True When there is any indication of dangerous lead levels in the work area 10. Abrasive blasting on steel structures coated with leadbased paint 11006130/0303 Copyright ©2003 Business and Legal Reports, Inc.