Title 8 1532.1 Flashcards
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL)
The 8-hour Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) is 50 ug/m3 of airborne lead. The work day is longer than 8 hours, the PEL is 400 divided by the number of hours worked per day.
Action Level
An airborne lead level of 30 ug/m3 is called the Action Level.
Protection of employees during exposure assessment
The following is required during the exposure assessment process. The extent of each item is based on the trigger task being performed.
- Appropriate Respiratory Protection, PPE, Change areas, Hand washing Facilities, Biological Monitoring and Training.
Exposure Assessment (general)
Exposure assessment is an initial determination via air monitoring if employees are exposed to lead above the PEL, and must be performed in all workplaces where employees may be exposed to lead.
Level 1 (Lowest Exposure) Trigger Task
Assume Exposure is > 50 up to 500 ug/m3 unless proven otherwise where lead coatings/paint are present:
Manual demo of structures, manual scraping, manual sanding, heat gun apps, spray painting with lead, power tool cleaning with dust collection system,
Level 2 (Medium Exposure) Trigger Task
Assume exposures greater than 500 and up to
2,500 μg/m3 unless proven otherwise:
use of lead-containing mortar, lead burning, where lead coatings or paint are present:, rivet busting, power tool cleaning without dust
collection systems, cleanup of dry expendable abrasives, abrasive blasting enclosure, movement and removal
Level 3 (Highest Exposure) Trigger Task
Assume exposures greater than 2,500 μg/m3
unless proven otherwise:
where lead coatings or paint are present:
abrasive blasting, welding, cutting, torch burning
Exposure Assessment (Air Monitoring)
When air monitoring is conducted, the employer shall collect full-shift personal samples representative of an employee’s regular, daily exposure to lead. Monitoring should include at least one sample for each job classification in each work area either for each shift or for the shift with
the highest exposure level. (For the initial
determination, the employer may monitor only those employees expected to have the highest
exposure levels.)
Basis of Initial Determination
The basis of initial determination, or initial
assessment of employee exposure, will be
employee exposure monitoring results and
relevant considerations (e.g., observations,
complaints) with the following two exceptions:
- Employer may rely on prior data for similar work within past 12 months
- Where the employer has objective data,
demonstrating that a particular product or
material containing lead or specific process,
operation or activity involving lead cannot
result in an employee exposure to lead at or
above the AL during processing, use or
handling, the employer may rely upon such
data instead of implementing initial
monitoring.
Frequency of Exposure Assessment
If the initial determination shows exposures less than the AL, no further assessment is needed until there has been a change of equipment, process, control, personnel or a new task has been initiated. If the initial determination is at or above the AL but at or below the PEL, then monitoring shall be done at least every six months. If the initial determination is above the PEL, then monitoring shall be done quarterly.
Employee Notification for Exposure Assessment Results
Within 5 days after completion of the exposure assessment, the employer shall notify each employee in writing of the results which represent that employee’s airborne lead exposure.
Methods of Compliance
Exposures over the PEL shall be reduced through engineering, work practice and administrative controls, to the extent feasible. Respirators may be used to supplement other controls. Prior to the commencement of any job where exposures may reach the PEL, the employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program, describing the lead-emitting activities and the means by which exposures will be controlled.
Respiratory Protection
Where respirators are used, they shall be certified by NIOSH and selected on the basis of air monitoring results, with the minimum level of respirator appropriate for the trigger task. PAPRs (powered air-purifying respirators) must be provided to any employee who requests one.
Protective Work Clothing & Equipment
When an employee is exposed to lead above the PEL (without regard to whether a respirator is worn), or to lead compounds which may cause irritation, the employer shall provide and assure the employee uses appropriate protective work clothing, such as coveralls or other full-body work clothing, gloves, hats, shoes or shoe coverings, and face shields, goggles or other protective equipment as needed.Work clothing shall be provided at least weekly for employees exposed over the PEL, except daily for those exposed at levels higher than 200 μg/m3.
Housekeeping
All surfaces shall be maintained as free as
practicable of accumulations of lead. Vacuums equipped with toxic dust removing HEPA filters are the preferred method of cleaning surfaces where lead accumulates. Other types of vacuums may not be used. Shoveling, dry or wet sweeping, and brushing may be used only where HEPA vacuuming has been tried and found to be ineffective. Use of compressed air for cleaning is prohibited,
unless there is a ventilation system to capture the dust created by the compressed air.
