Requirements:
General

Requirements for working with lead safely are based on potential exposure and center on training, proper use of PPE, and health monitoring. Routine lead-handling tasks require basic hazard controls and health surveillance, but do not require an industrial hygiene survey (IHS).

All other lead work requires the basic controls plus an IHS prior to work and may require medical surveillance. The IHS will determine whether medical surveillance is required (see Lead Safety Required Controls [pdf] and Chapter 5, "Industrial Hygiene Program").

Personal Safety

• Because of the extreme physical exertion of this activity, workers will not stack lead bricks for more than four hours per day.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke in or around areas where lead is handled or stored.

Lead Forms

• Use only lead bricks or designed solid forms where feasible.
• Do not use or purchase spaghetti lead or lead wool. When encountered, these forms of lead should be disposed of if possible.
• Lead bricks that are coated with paint or laminated with wood or aluminum are safer to handle.

Note: Lead shot may be used, but only in sealed containers.

Purchasing and Storage

• Bulk unused lead will be stored in a central lead inventory.
• No new lead will be purchased without first determining that lead in the central inventory cannot be reused.
• The purchase of all new lead must be approved by a member of the directorate and the order placed using the Haas tcmIS ordering system (refer to Chapter 40, "Hazardous Materials").

Transport

• To avoid contaminating conventional wood pallets, move lead only on steel pallets.

Industrial Hygiene Survey

An IHS is required for all lead work not covered by the task descriptions in the Lead Safety Required Controls [pdf].

Medical Surveillance Program

Medical surveillance is required for some lead work, as described below. The SLAC Medical Department is responsible for conducting the exams and maintaining all relevant records.

Lead Safety Baseline Exam

All personnel who handle or stack lead shielding for more than 30 minutes on any given day must complete a Lead Safety Baseline Exam (Class 240ME).

Lead Semi-annual Exam

All personnel who handle or stack unpainted lead shielding for more than 30 minutes on any given day and who perform this task for 30 days or more per year require the semi-annual exam program (Class 406ME).

Specialized work, such as welding of materials containing lead and the handling of lead waste, requires an IHS to determine medical surveillance requirements.

Note: Use of a soldering iron with solder containing lead does not require medical surveillance.