General Requirements
If employees are working with solid lead, use of gloves and apron is recommended. All waste should be considered hazardous waste.

If employees are involved in the abatement of lead-based paint, they must be formally trained, then certified by IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management). Personal Protective equipment required includes respirators, and the employee must be enrolled in the Respiratory Protection Program. Special procedures to protect the environment must be used.

Regulations
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1025, including Appendices A, B, C, D: Lead in General Industry
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62: Lead in Construction Industries

Keys to Compliance for Supervisors

• Only employees who are trained and certified are permitted to remove lead paint from University properties; the Physical Plant’s Abatement Group does this work.
• EHS’ Industrial Hygienists can test materials for the presence of lead
• In order to ensure that lead dust is not carried outside the work environment, employees working with lead bricks or other solid lead material must be provided gloves and aprons or coveralls. These should be left at the work place, and ultimately disposed of as lead waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I know if a material or surface contains lead?
A. The material must be tested. EHS can do this testing.

Q. How does solid lead pose a health hazard?
A. Lead is an extremely soft metal, and handling it can generate lead dust, which can be inhaled or ingested.

 

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