Shipyward Workers and Exposure
Lead poisoning usually occurs over a period of months or years. It can cause severe mental and physical impairment. Shipyard work is traditionally hazardous, with an injury-accident rate more than twice that of construction and general industry.
The lead exposure pathway has five components:
- a source of contamination (such as deteriorating lead-based paint);
- an environmental medium and transport mechanism (such as lead contaminated dust, smoke from open burning, or exhaust);
- a point of exposure (such the hands, floor, or objects;
- a route of exposure (such as inhalation or ingestion); and
- an exposed population (such as shipyard workers).
Real World Accident
Wisconson Shipyard Faces Nearly $1.4M in OSHA Penalties for Exposing Workers to Lead and Other Hazards.
A Shipyard, located in Wisconsin, was fined approximately $1.4 million in penalties for multiple lead-related safety and health violations. Fraser Shipyards accepted a contract with low profit margins and penalties for schedule delays.
In their push to get the project done on time, the employer failed to:
- conduct monitoring to assess employee exposure to lead
- implement a lead compliance or respiratory program for lead
- provide training on lead hazards
OSHA determined Fraser Shipyards' management knew lead was present throughout the vessel, which was originally built in 1959.
When the company tested their 134 employees, 75 percent of those tested had elevated blood lead levels. Fourteen employees had lead levels up to 20 times the exposure limit.
Overexposure to lead can lead to brain damage, gastrointestinal harm, anemia, and kidney disease.
Source: DOL News Release (August 2016)
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-5. Shipyard work has an injury-accident rate _____ that of construction and general industry.
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