Lead Safety In Construction

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Lead Safety In Construction

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Session Objectives

• You will be able to understand
• Lead hazards, exposure, and control
• Respiratory protection
• Medical surveillance
• Information about chelating agents
• Engineering controls and work practices
• Access to records and OSHA lead standard

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Lead in the Workplace

• Lead is a leading cause of workplace illness
• Extremely high levels may cause immediate serious
  health effects
• Long-term exposure to low levels are more likely
• OSHA requires that employees be trained on how to
  protect against lead hazards

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Health Hazards of Lead

• Anxiety, headache, tiredness, or insomnia
• Loss of appetite and stomach pain
• Numbness, pain, weakness, or twitching in your
  muscles
• Reduced sex drive, sterility, and birth defects
• Kidney damage
• Permanent brain and nerve damage

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Effects of Lead on Children

• Children are very susceptible to the effects of
  lead
• Small amounts of lead can harm them
• It is important not to take lead dust home on
  your clothing

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Permissible Exposure Limit

• No safe amount of lead
• OSHA says you cannot be exposed to lead limits of
  more than 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air

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How Lead Enters the Body

• Inhaling lead spray paint or lead dust
• Inhaling lead fumes from welding or burning lead
  paint
• Swallowing lead dustwhen eating, drinking,or
  smoking

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Workplace Lead Exposure

• Cutting or removing lead pipe
• Grinding or sandblasting lead paint on metal
  structures
• Using solder that contains lead
• Bridge-painting
• Remodeling buildings with lead paint
• Cleaning up demolition sites with lead dust

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Personal Protective Equipment

• Coveralls
• Gloves
• Hat
• Work shoes or shoe covers
• Face shield or goggles
• Respirator

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Respirators

• Worn when lead in the air is above the PEL
• Must be properly fitted
• Medical evaluation required before use
• Training required before use

Image Credit State of WA-WISHA Services
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PPE Cleaning and Disposal

• Remove dust with a HEPA vacuum
• Do not remove lead by blowing or shaking
• Dispose of contaminated clothing properly
• Use labeled disposal and laundry containers

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Restricted Work Areas

• Restricted area
• Signs posted
• Respirators required
• Showers, changing rooms, and lunchrooms

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Any Questions?

• Any questions about lead hazards, exposure, and
  control?

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Medical Monitoring

• Blood tests if exposed above the action level
• Medical exam if lead in blood exceeds 40 µg/dl
• Routine blood tests
• Medical exam before starting job
• Symptoms are reported
• Medical advice

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Medical Removal

• Blood levels above 50 µg
• Unable to bring exposure levels down
• Increased risk of health impairment
• Keep pay, seniority, and benefits
• Blood tested monthly
• Return to job when blood levels reduced

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Chelation Therapy

• Drug therapy that reduces blood lead levels
• May cause side effects
• Permitted under a doctors supervision
• Prohibited to routinely lower blood levels
  without symptoms

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Work Practices

• Dont eat, drink, or smoke near lead
• Wash before eating, smoking, or applying
  cosmetics
• Dont wear lead-contaminated clothing home
• Store work clothes separately from personal
  clothes

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Work Practices (cont.)

• Always wear your respirator
• Use water when sanding, grinding, or cutting
  objects that contain lead
• Remove lead dust with a HEPA vacuum

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Control Lead Exposure

• Stay out of restricted areas
• Obey warning signs
• Use ventilation systems

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Ventilation

• Mechanical system used with enclosures
• Local portable system
• Shrouded power tools
• Measurements taken every 3 months

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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

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Access to Records and Regulations

• You have the right to see
• Any of your medical records related to lead
• Results of air sampling for lead
• A copy of OSHAs lead in construction standard

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Any Questions?

• Any questions on medical surveillance, chelating
  agents, engineering controls, work practices, or
  access to medical records?

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Summary

• Learn job tasks that risk lead exposure
• Know symptoms of lead exposure
• Use ventilation
• Wear respirator
• Follow hygiene practices