Injury Illness Prevention Plan - Flipbook - Page 239
Health and Safety Program Manual
Teamwrkx
Construction, Inc.
Issue Date: 10/16/23
Revision Date: 10/16/23
Lead Exposure
Reference: B-4
When appropriate for the conditions, choose blasting techniques that are less dusty than open-air abrasive
blasting. These include hydro/wet blasting using high-pressure water with or without an abrasive or surrounding
the blast nozzle with a ring of water, and vacuum blasting where a vacuum hood for material removal is
positioned around the exterior of the blasting nozzle.
When using a heat gun to remove lead-based paints in residential housing units, be sure it is of the flameless
electrical softener type. Heat guns should have electronically controlled temperature settings to allow usage
below 700 degrees F. Equip heat guns with various nozzles to cover all common applications and to limit the
size of the heated work area.
When using abrasive blasting with a vacuum hood on exterior building surfaces, ensure that the configuration
of the heads on the blasting nozzle match the configuration of the substrate so that the vacuum is effective in
containing debris.
Ensure that HEPA vacuum cleaners have the appropriate attachments for use on unusual surfaces. Proper use
of brushes of various sizes, crevice, and angular tools, when needed, will enhance the quality of the HEPAvacuuming process, and help reduce the amount of lead dust released into the air.
ISOLATION
Although it is not feasible to enclose and ventilate some abrasive blasting operations completely, it is possible
to isolate many operations to help reduce the potential for lead exposure.
Isolation consists of keeping workers not involved in the blasting operations as far away from the work area as
possible, reducing the risk of exposure.
HOUSEKEEPING
Lead is a cumulative and persistent toxic substance that poses a serious health risk. A rigorous housekeeping
program and the observance of basic personal hygiene practices will minimize worker exposure to lead. In
addition, these two elements of the worker protection program help prevent workers from taking lead
contaminated dust out of the worksite and into their homes where it can extend the workers’ exposures and
potentially affect their families’ health.
All surfaces shall be maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead. The Company shall implement
a regular schedule to remove accumulations of lead dust and lead-containing debris. The schedule should be
adapted to exposure conditions at a particular worksite.
Vacuuming lead dust with HEPA-filtered equipment or wetting the dust with water before sweeping are
effective control measures.
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