Appendix G

APPENDIX G

EMPLOYEE LEAD IN CONSTRUCTION FACT SHEET

Lead is a toxic substance that may enter the body through breathing or swallowing lead dusts, fumes, or mists. If food, cigarettes, or your hands have lead on them, lead may be swallowed while you are eating, drinking, or smoking. Once in the body, lead enters the bloodstream and may be carried to all parts of the body. The body can eliminate some of this lead, but any remaining stored lead may cause irreversible damage to cells, organs and whole body systems. After exposure stops, it takes months or even years for all lead to be removed from the body.

What Are the Symptoms?

Exposure to lead may affect each person differently. Even before symptoms appear, lead may cause unseen injury to the body. During early stages of lead poisoning, mild symptoms may be overlooked as everyday medical complaints, including:

Loss of appetite
Trouble sleeping
Irritability
Fatigue
Headache Joint and muscle aches
Metallic taste
Decreased sex drive
Lack of concentration
Moodiness

Brief intense exposure or prolonged overexposure may result in severe damage to your blood-forming, nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems. Some noticeable medical problems include:

Stomach pains
Wrist or foot drop
High blood pressure
Nausea Tremors
Convulsions or seizures
Anemia
Constipation or diarrhea

What Protection Do I Have?

The Lead in Construction Standard 29 CFR (1926.62) is designed to protect you if you are exposed to lead on the job. The permissible exposure limit for airborne lead is an 8-hour time weighted average of 50 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter of air). However, the permissible exposure limit is lower if your workday exceeds 8 hours.

Regardless of your exposure, your employer is required to do the following:

Exposure at or above 30 µg/m³ (the action level) requires the following:

Additionally, exposure in excess of the permissible exposure limit requires:

How Do I Know If I’m Overexposed?

Your employer is required to assess your exposure whenever you may be exposed to lead. However, until your employer demonstrates otherwise, it is presumed that you are exposed in excess of the permissible exposure limit if you:

This fact sheet is intended to highlight the major aspects of the Lead in Construction Standard and is not to be interpreted as the complete requirements under the standards.

The Federal Lead Exposure in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.62, requires that before beginning any construction work that may result in lead exposure, an employer must determine if any employee may be exposed to lead at or above the action level (30 mg/m³). If any employee may be exposed at or above the action level, the employer must conduct air sampling at the start of the operation that may involve lead exposure. The major requirements of the Lead in Construction Standard are detailed below.

This chart is intended to summarize the Federal Lead Exposure in Construction Standard, 29 CFR 1926.62, and is not to be interpreted as the complete requirements under the standard.

Any Airborne Lead	At or Above Action Level (30 µmg/m³)	Above PEL (50 µg/m³)
X X	X X X X	X X X X	CONDUCT EXPOSURE MONITORING - at start of job - every 6 months - every quarter - when job change may result in new or additional exposure - if employee complains of symptoms related to lead exposure Whenever exposure monitoring is performed, employee must be provided with written notice of results.
		X	USE FEASIBLE ENGINEERING AND WORK PRACTICE CONTROLS
		X	DEVELOP WRITTEN COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND REVIEW EVERY 6 MONTHS
		X X X X X	PROVIDE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION - as interim measure - to supplement engineering and work practice controls - when controls not feasible - upon employee request When respirators are provided, a respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134(b), (d), (e), and (f) must be established and fit testing must be conducted. A medical examination must be provided if an employee exhibits difficulty breathing during respirator fit test or use. An employer must provide a powdered air purifying respirator at the employee’s request.
		X X X X X	PROVIDE APPROPRIATE PROTECTING CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT - clean clothing weekly (daily if exposure above 200 µg/m³) - ensure protective clothing removed at end of shift - ensure appropriate laundering or disposal - clean and repair equipment Protective clothing and equipment must also be provided when the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists.
		X X X X	MAINTAIN ALL SURFACES AS FREE OF LEAD AS POSSIBLE - prohibit cleaning by compressed air - use vacuuming or other equally effective cleaning methods - use wet methods when vacuuming not feasible
		X X X X	PROHIBIT EATING, DRINKING, AND SMOKING IN JOB AREA - provide eating and drinking area - ensure employees wash prior to eating or drinking - ensure employees do not enter eating area in lead-contaminated clothing
X X	X X	X X X X X	PROVIDE CHANGE AREAS AND STORAGE - ensure employees do not leave job area in contaminated clothes PROVIDE WASH FACILITIES [29 CFR 1926.51(f)] - be sure employees wash at end of shift PROVIDE LAVATORY FACILITIES [29 CFR 1926.51(c)]
	X X X X	X X X X	INSTITUTE MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM Biological monitoring (Blood Lead + ZPP or FEP Levels) - prior to assignment - every 2 months for first 6 months of exposure - written notification of results to employee Medical examination must be provided when exposure is above action level and employee has developed signs or symptoms associated with lead intoxication, desires advice on effects of exposure on ability to procreate, or employee’s blood lead level is at or above 40 mg/100 g. A medical examination must also be provided when an employee exhibits difficulty breathing during respirator fit test or use.
	X X	X X	PROVIDE MEDICAL REMOVAL AND PROTECTION - if blood lead level is at or above 50 mg/100 g - if indicated by a final medical determination
X X	X X	X X	INFORM EMPLOYEES OF STANDARD - make available a copy of standard
	X	X	PROVIDE TRAINING PROGRAM Training must also be made available if the possibility of skin or eye irritation exists.
		X	POST WARNING SIGNS
X X	X X X X	X X X X	MAINTAIN RECORDS OF - initial determination - exposure monitoring - medical surveillance - medical removal

For Specific Air Lead Levels					During Assessment of Trigger Tasks
Regardless of Level	> AL
Regardless of Level	1-30 Days	> 30 Days	> PEL	> 4 X PEL
1926.62(d) - Exposure Assessment and Interim Protection 1926.62(h) - Housekeeping 1926.62(I)(5) - Handwashing Facilities 1926.62(l)(1)(i) - Hazcom Training (and/or 1926.21 - Safety Training and Education)	1926.62(d)(4) - Monitoring Representative of Exposure for Each Exposed Employee 1926.62(j)(1)(i) - Initial Medical Surveillance 1926.62(j)(2)(ii) - Follow-up Blood Sampling 1926.62(k) - Temporary Removal Due to Elevated Blood Lead 1926.62(l)(1)(ii) -(iv) - Information and Training	1926.62(j)(1)(ii) - Medical Surveillance Program 1926.62(j)(3) - Medical Exams and Consultation (if required)	1926.62(e) - Engineering and Work Practice Controls 1926.62(f) - Respiratory Protection 1926.62(g) - Protective Clothing and Equipment 1926.62(I) - Hygiene Facilities and Practices 1926.62(m) - Signs	1926.62(g)(2) - Clean Protective Clothing Daily	1926.62(f) - Appropriate Respiratory Protection 1926.62(g) - Protective Clothing and Equipment 1926.62(i)(2) - Change Areas 1926.62(I)(5) - Handwashing Facilities 1926.62(j)(1)(i) - Biological Monitoring 1926.62(l)(1)(i) - Hazcom Training 1926.62(l)(2)(iii) - Respirator Training