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Posted By george98
Hi all
It is my understanding that blood lead testing is necessary if persons are either a). exposed to prescribed levels of airborne lead or b). skin contact of lead containing subtances (any % of content)?
Is this correct?
Is there a rule of thumb, i.e. any possible contact and get 'em tested?
Thanks in anticipation of useful advice.
S
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Flic
First, if you are working with lead you need to be aware that there are specific regulations on the subject - Control of Lead at Work regulations 2002, and there is an associated Approved Code of Practice and Guidance, document L132, available from the HSE.
You need to assess the risk of exposure (and the ACOP helps here), which will be related to whatever job you are doing.
You need to prevent exposure - and there is advice available on how to do this. Containment, exhaust ventilation, good housekeeping and separation of clean from dirty areas etc.
Finally, if there remains a risk of exposure to a significant level (defined in the legislation and ACOP) then yes, medical surveillance is required.
You ask whether anyone touching an item of any percent lead needs to be included - the answer to that is no, otherwise anyone who touched a piece of lead/tin solder would need a blood test. They should wash and/or use gloves.
I suggest you seek some expert advice if you have airborne lead in your workplace.
Flic
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By john thos 147
we test people within a certain proximty to where the process takes place (approx 50 m). Obviously if any of these came back positive we would carry out further tests to a distance of 75m etc
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Flic
What process is that, John? 50m is a very large distance.
Flic
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By stephen d clarke
Hi,
Just to mention in addition to the above that blood tests are just part of the medical surveillance that might be deemed necessary if exposure is significant. Significant is defined in the regs as where an employee is exposed to more than half the occupational limit for lead, where there is a substantial risk of ingestion or where there is a risk of skin contact with lead compounds that can be absorbed through the skin e.g.organo-lead compounds. Also don't forget the more stringent requirements in the regs for woman of child bearing age and young persons.
Steve
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