Lead Safety In Construction
© 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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Lead ExposureThe following products used or items found on this worksite contain lead:
[List products or items here]
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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]
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Personal Protective Equipment• Coveralls• Gloves• Hat• Work shoes or shoe
covers• Face shield or goggles• Respirator
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Restricted Work Areas• Restricted area• Signs posted• Respirators required• Showers, changing
rooms, and lunchrooms
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Any Questions?• Any questions about
lead hazards, exposure, and control?
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Control Lead Exposure• Stay out of restricted areas• Obey warning signs• Use ventilation systems
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Ventilation• Mechanical system
used with enclosures• Local portable system• Shrouded power tools• Measurements taken
every 3 months
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
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
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Any Questions?• Any questions on
medical surveillance, chelating agents, engineering controls, work practices, or access to medical records?
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 0512
Summary• Learn job tasks that risk lead exposure• Know symptoms of lead exposure• Use ventilation• Wear respirator• Follow hygiene practices