18 May Lead Safety in Construction

Lead Safety in Construction

Lead safety is critical in construction because workers may be exposed when disturbing lead-containing paints, coatings, metals, solder, piping, or other building materials. Activities that generate lead-containing dust or fumes can result in serious occupational exposure.

Where Lead Exposure May Occur

Construction activities with potential lead exposure include:

• Renovating or demolishing structures containing lead-painted surfaces.
• Scraping, sanding, or otherwise removing lead-containing paint or coatings.
• Abrasive blasting of painted steel structures.
• Grinding, cutting, drilling, or torching lead-painted materials.
• Welding or cutting metals containing lead or lead coatings.
• Removing or working with lead-containing pipes, joints, or ductwork.
• Lead soldering.
• Cutting or stripping lead-sheathed cable.
• Cleaning work areas contaminated with lead dust or debris.

How Lead Enters the Body

Lead exposure occurs primarily through inhalation and ingestion.

Workers can inhale airborne lead dust, fumes, or mist generated during construction activities. Lead can also be swallowed when contaminated hands, clothing, or surfaces transfer lead to food, beverages, cigarettes, or other items placed near the mouth.

Good hygiene is therefore an important part of controlling lead exposure.

Exposure Assessment

Before disturbing materials that may contain lead, the employer must evaluate the potential for employee exposure.

Air monitoring may be necessary to determine employee exposure during activities capable of generating airborne lead. Appropriate protective measures must be implemented while exposure levels are being determined.

Under the construction lead standard:

• The Action Level (AL) is 30 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air (30 µg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
• The Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 50 micrograms per cubic meter (50 µg/m³) as an 8-hour time-weighted average.

Exposure at or above these levels triggers additional requirements under the applicable lead standard.

Controlling Lead Exposure

Depending on the task and exposure level, controls may include:

• Engineering controls to reduce airborne lead.
• Appropriate work practices and procedures.
• Respiratory protection when required.
• Protective clothing and other PPE.
• Proper housekeeping methods that minimize the spread of lead dust.
• Hand- and face-washing facilities.
• Designated eating and drinking areas away from lead contamination.
• Appropriate handling and disposal of contaminated materials.
• Exposure monitoring and additional air sampling.
• Medical surveillance when required.
• Employee information and training.
• A written lead compliance program when required.

Never use compressed air or other cleaning methods that unnecessarily disperse lead-containing dust.

Personal Hygiene

Lead can easily be carried from the work area on workers’ hands, clothing, footwear, tools, and equipment.

• Wash hands and face thoroughly before eating, drinking, smoking, or leaving the work area.
• Never eat, drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply cosmetics in lead-contaminated work areas.
• Follow established procedures for changing and storing contaminated work clothing.
• Keep contaminated work clothing separate from street clothing when required.
• Do not take lead-contaminated dust home on clothing, footwear, tools, or personal belongings.

Training

Workers who may be occupationally exposed to lead must receive appropriate training. Training should address the health effects of lead, sources of exposure, applicable exposure limits, protective measures, respiratory protection, hygiene practices, medical surveillance, and the requirements of the employer’s lead-control procedures.

Lead hazards may not be visible. Never assume painted, coated, or other suspect materials are safe to disturb without completing the required hazard assessment and following established lead-control procedures.