Lead Operations and Standards

 

Pure lead (Pb) is a heavy metal. It can combine with various other substances to form numerous lead compounds.

If absorbed into your body in certain doses, lead is toxic. It can be absorbed by breathing it in and through your mouth. As exposure continues, and if not filtered by the body and excreted, lead is stored in increasing amounts causing irreversible damage to body cells, organs, and whole body systems.

Long term (chronic) overexposure to lead may result in severe damage to the blood-forming, nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems.

OSHA’s lead standard

OSHA’s lead rule for construction workers sets the permissible exposure limit (PEL) at 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time weighted average. An action level is set at 30 micrograms per cubic meter calculated as an 8-hour TWA. The action level is the level at which your employer must begin certain compliance activities outlined in the standard.

Who does the standard apply to?

The rule applies to all construction work where an employee may be exposed to lead, all inor­ganic lead compounds, and organic lead soaps. Some operations that generate lead dust and fume include:

·         Flame-torch cutting, welding, the use of heat guns, sanding, scraping, and grinding of lead painted surfaces in repair, reconstruction, dismantling, and demolition work.

·         Abrasive blasting of bridges and other structures containing lead-based paints.

·         Use of torches and heat guns, and sanding, scraping, and grinding lead-based paint sur­faces during remodeling or abating lead-based paint.

·         Maintaining process equipment or exhaust duct work.

Worker protection program

Your employer must develop and implement a worker protection program. The program is essential in minimizing your risk of lead exposure. Some projects involve limited exposure, such as the removal of paint from a few interior residential doors. Others may involve the removal, or stripping off, of substantial quantities of lead-based paints on large bridges.

Engineering controls and good work practices are the most effective way to minimize expo­sure. Respirators cannot be used instead of engineering and work practices but must be used in conjunction with them to control employee exposures.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

 

Lock-Out / Tag-Out

 

If you are required to repair or maintain any machinery or equipment, or any electrical power source, start the job by locking out and tagging out all energy sources and starting mechanisms.  Locking or tagging out is the only sure way to prevent other employees from accidentally activating the system. 

 

Contact your supervisor when tagging out any piece of equipment or machinery so that he is aware of the situation.  Schedule any maintenance or repairs ahead of time with the supervisor to avoid conflicts and any interruptions the work. 

 

Install your tag out or lock out at the power or ignition source.  If a piece of equipment can be activated from more than one location, then additional locks or tags may be required.  Make sure that the tag or lock is secure and will not blow off or fall off the machine. 

 

Machines can still be harmful even when they are turned off.  Make sure that the machine is not coasting to a stop and watch for moving parts that turn by gravity.  Be careful of air or hydraulic pressure lines that have not been bled.  Read the manufacturers recommendations for repairs to avoid any hidden dangers such as springs that are under a load that might accidentally be released. 

 

Remember to remove your lock and tags after your work is complete.  NEVER remove a lock or tag that has been installed by someone else.  If you find a lock or tag out, contact the person who tagged that equipment out and the supervisor for further instructions.  NEVER ASSUME THAT SOMEONE JUST FORGOT TO REMOVE THE LOCK OR TAG. 

 

BE SMART - LARGE JOB OR SMALL, TAG IT OUT FIRST! 

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com

Be Aware of Lockout / Tagout

 

Overview

OSHA statistics show that six percent of all deaths in the workplace result from the unexpected activation of a machine or other piece of equipment during maintenance or other servicing. In addition, more than 25,000 work days are lost each year because of injuries in similar situations.

OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout regulation, 29 CFR 1910.147, requires employers to develop procedures for isolating energy sources when servicing or maintaining their equipment and machinery. The purpose of the standard is to prevent injuries from the unexpected release of energy.

Understanding Lockout/Tagout

Lockout/tagout is a warning and prevention system for unexpected start-up and release of stored energy.

Two terms which directly relate to this system are:

·         Lockout - The placement of a device that blocks the flow of energy from a power source to a piece of equipment.

·         Tagout - The process of attaching a tag to a disconnect switch or other energy isolating device to warn others not to restore energy to the tagged equipment.

When performing lockout/tagout on equipment and machines, the operators and the people working in the area need to be informed that lockout/tagout is being applied and servicing is being done on the equipment and machines.

When locking out the energy source is impossible, tagging the equipment may be the best procedure you can do.

Who is involved?

Lockout/tagout involves three types of employees with different levels of responsibility - authorized, affected, and other.

·         Authorized - Employees who perform the servicing, maintenance, and set-up of equipment or machinery and apply the locks and tags to this equipment.

·         Affected - Employees who operate or use the equipment or machines which are locked/tagged out when serviced, maintained, or set-up.

·         Other - Employees whose work operations are or may be in an area where energy control procedures may be utilized (they are neither affected nor authorized employees).

Lockout/Tagout Procedures

Each piece of equipment or machine needs its own lockout/tagout procedure. The procedure must include:

·         Preparing for shutdown.

·         Shutting down the machine or equipment.

·         Isolating the machine or equipment from the energy source.

·         Applying the lockout/tagout device to the energy-isolating equipment.

·         Verifying the isolation of the machines or equipment prior to starting work.

·         Releasing all potentially hazardous stored or residual energy.

The procedure should include the steps for placement, removal, and transfer of lockout/tagout devices.

This information is provided by Assurance Agency https:www.assuranceagency.com