Lead Safety In Construction. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512 Session Objectives You will be...

Lead Safety In Construction

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© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512

Session ObjectivesYou 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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Lead ExposureThe following products used or items found on this worksite contain lead:

[List products or items here]


Lead Exposure (cont.)

You may be exposed to lead at this jobsite in the following activities or locations:

[Describe or list specific jobs or activities where employees are or may be exposed to lead at your worksite]


Personal Protective Equipment• Coveralls• Gloves• Hat• Work shoes or shoe

covers• Face shield or goggles• Respirator


Respirators• Respirator may be

required• You will be provided

with a respirator of the following type:• [List respirators used

here]

Image Credit: State of WA-WISHA ServicesImage Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services


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 ServicesImage Credit: State of WA-WISHA Services


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


Restricted Work Areas• Restricted area• Signs posted• Respirators required• Showers, changing

rooms, and lunchrooms


Any Questions?• Any questions about

lead hazards, exposure, and control?


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


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


Chelation Therapy• Drug therapy that reduces blood lead levels• May cause side effects• Permitted under a doctor’s supervision• Prohibited to routinely lower blood levels

without symptoms


Work Practices• Don’t eat, drink, or

smoke near lead

• Wash before eating, smoking, or applying cosmetics

• Don’t wear lead-contaminated clothing home

• Store work clothes separately from personal clothes


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


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


Ventilation• Mechanical system

used with enclosures• Local portable system• Shrouded power tools• Measurements taken

every 3 months


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


Access to Records and RegulationsYou have the right to see:• Any of your medical records related to lead• Results of air sampling for lead• A copy of OSHA’s lead in construction

standard


Any Questions?• Any questions on

medical surveillance, chelating agents, engineering controls, work practices, or access to medical records?


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

Lead Safety In Construction. © Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512 Session Objectives You will be...

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