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#1 Posted : 01 August 2007 08:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Melanie Fellows
Our company is looking to undertake a refurbishment project, whereby they will blast old paint off a structure, then repaint.

The problem is that the old paint contains lead. The analysis report states that the lead result is 724 mg/kg.

Is this high? (& that we must have our workers tested before and after the works).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Mel
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#2 Posted : 01 August 2007 09:09:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Are you sure that the figure given is correct? The paint is not lead based at this level of lead content, one expects such paints to contain several percent not 0.07%, so this would suggest some other contamination local to the sample.

I would verify the figures and if they are correct I cannot see why normal shot blasting removal procedures do not apply for removal. It does however depend on the location of the structure whether shot blasting is a suitable technique.

You will need to look at the final lead content of the waste to determine whether or not it will fall into the Hazardous Waste requirements for disposal.

Bob
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#3 Posted : 01 August 2007 16:03:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Clarke-Scholes MIOSH
I agree with Bob, my baseline assessments for flame cutting in demolition assume 10% lead content. You need to consult the Lead Regs, do an exposure assessment and then develop the controls. I would assume you will employ a specialist rather than do this in house, in which case ask them for their risk and exposure assessments. If in house, you may be able to assess away the lead problem but grit blasting is messy, dusty and noisy and a number of controls will be required, air-fed BA is usual, at which point the lead exposure becomes controlled anyway. E-mail me if you want more info, or indeed a quote!

Paul
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#4 Posted : 02 August 2007 11:35:00(UTC)
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Posted By Melanie Fellows
Thanks for your responses, which now lead me to understand that the Lead Regs will not apply in this instance and therefore blood tests are not required.

Obviously I will still perform a risk assessment (and brief it out to the workers involved) to ensure that they are not at risk from dust etc, from the blasting operations.

Thanks once again.

Mel
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