Exposure to Lead
Employers need to determine whether their workers will be exposed to lead on the construction worksite.
Employers need to determine whether their workers will be exposed to lead on the construction worksite.
This initial determination is done by sampling the air they breathe with special equipment. This is called air monitoring (also, exposure monitoring). It's important to know the following to help protect workers:
- Action level: The exposure level at which you must act to protect your employees. 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air (30 µg/m3) averaged over an eight-hour period is the action level for lead exposure.
- Permissible exposure limit: The permissible exposure limit (PEL or OSHA PEL) is the legal limit for exposure to a chemical substance or physical agent. The employer must ensure no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period.
- Trigger tasks for Lead: Tasks that expose workers to extreme amounts of lead and trigger a set of interim measures employers must take to protect those workers. If employees do any of these tasks, assume they're exposed to lead at levels above the PEL until you've done an initial determination.
These workers are removing lead paint from the exterior of an old house. Should they be wearing
respirators?
The following tasks can expose workers to extreme amounts of lead:
- cutting with a torch
- heat gun work
- manual sanding
- manual scraping of dry materials
- sanding with a dust collection system
- spray painting
- manual demolition of structures such as dry wall, windows, and siding
- sanding without dust collection systems
- abrasive blasting
- lead burning
- torch burning
- welding
Protective Measures for Lead
This worker is using adequate PPE for lead abatement.
If your employees do trigger tasks, you must provide them with all of the following until you can show they are exposed below the action level:
- Ensure workers wear appropriate respirators.
- Provide adequate protective clothing.
- Clean areas for changing and storing clothing.
- Ensure workers have access to hand washing facilities.
- If necessary, provide blood sampling for lead.
- Conduct training that covers lead health hazards and protective measures.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
3-3. Which task can expose a worker to extreme amounts of lead?
You forgot to answer the question!