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Old paint on metal
bridges, process equipment, and buildings may contain lead. Construction
workers are exposed to lead when metal structures are torn down, renovated
or repainted.
When metal covered with
lead paint is cut, sanded, heated, burned, or blasted with abrasives, lead
gets into the air. Anyone near such work can get lead poisoning.
The Hazards
Lead is toxic if you breathe or swallow it. It can cause severe anemia and
harm reproduction. It can damage your kidney, brain, and nervous system
too.
The first signs of severe
poisoning may be upset stomach (cramps), weakness, joint pain, and/or being
tired. But lead can harm you even if you don’t show these symptoms first.
Protect Yourself
If you are stripping, sanding, heating, cutting, or otherwise disturbing a
painted surface – or you are near such work:
If the paint has lead (or may have lead):
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Follow your contractor’s special
procedures for this work. OSHA and some states have special rules
for work on lead-coated surfaces. OSHA says a contractor must use engineering and
work practice controls to prevent lead exposures.
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Use wet methods, if you can to
keep down any dust.
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Before you use a torch for
cutting, remove paint. (Cutting with torches or heating lead paint produces
lead fumes). Use long handled torches.
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Use local-exhaust
ventilation
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Use a disposable dust masks to
prevent inhalation of fumes.
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Use an approved respirator (one
approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health, NIOSH). OSHA says to use respirators only when other controls are
not possible or not enough. The contractor must do an exposure assessment
to find out which respirator is needed.
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Do not smoke, eat, or drink
around work on lead paint.
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Always wash your hands and face
before smoking, eating or drinking.
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Do not wear work clothes home.
Lead dust on your clothes might affect especially vulnerable people
(young, aged, sick, etc…) at home.
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Have your blood-lead level
checked. OSHA says your employer must test your blood-lead level if
you are exposed to lead. How often you will need more tests will depend on the
exposure level. If your blood-lead level is above 50mcg/dl, OSHA says your employer
must give you a different job until you are well. Your employer must also
arrange for medical exams.
You Should Know:
Representatives of unions, management, and state and local governments have
written guidelines for a safe lead-removal program for industrial
structures. You can get the guidelines, Model Specifications for the
Protection of Workers from Lead on Steel Structures, from the Center to
Protect Workers Rights (CPWR) at 301-578-8500
For more information,
call your local union, the Center to Protect Workers Rights (CPWR)
301-578-8500 or
www.cpwr.com. Or OSHA (800-321-OSHA or
www.osha.com
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