Lead Safety

In Construction

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 dust
when 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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Lead Exposure
The following products used or items found on
this worksite contain lead:
[List products or items here]

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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]

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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
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 Services

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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 g/dl
Routine blood tests
Medical exam before
starting job
Symptoms are
reported
Medical advice

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Medical Removal
Blood levels above 50 g
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 leadcontaminated 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

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