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