lead exposure during lead tinning underground cable splicingesafetyline.com/eei/conference...
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Lead Exposure During Lead Tinning – Underground Cable Splicing
Henry Romero, CIH, CSP
Sr. Health & Safety Advisor
Corporate Safety
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Lead Tinning
• Construction Standard Applies
• Following is a mock event for tinning on “Lead-in-Paper” Cables
• Exposures were captured from within a manhole environment
– Mechanical Cutting
– Melting (not in manhole)
– Vaporizing
– Filing
– Rasping
• A third party was utilized for the sampling event – Distribution representation was on site to provide guidance on practices utilized in the field.
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Lead and Tin
• Lead and tin are metals that can be inhaled and absorbed through your lungs and upper respiratory tract when in dust, mist, or fume form.
• Work practices provided identified the potential for lead and tin exposures. This work is being performed by Cable Splicers in the tinning process.
Routes of Exposure
• Inhalation
• Ingestion / Absorption
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Lead and Tin
Health Hazards Associated with Lead and Tin
• Lung Cancer(s)
• Skin Irritation
• Lead and tin exposure assessments were performed on the work practices for melting, tinning, rasping, and cutting (power-band saw) lead.
• The exposure assessment indicates that the OSHA 8-hour TWA PEL for Lead (0.05 mg/m3) and for Tin (2.0 mg/m3) are not being exceeded in either work practice or a combination of work practices.
•In addition, the AL for lead (0.03 mg/m3) is not exceeded.
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Lead and Tin
Nature of Operations Where Lead and Tin are Present
• Lead melting, tinning, rasping and cutting lead sheathed cable with a power-band saw
• Removing, salvaging, and recycling lead pins
Recommended Best Work Practices
• Use proper ventilation techniques when tinning
• When tinning use appropriate PPE to protect against high metal temperatures - apron, face shield, hand and foot protection
• Remove splattered lead/tin off apron, gloves, and shoe covers for reuse or disposal
• Avoid direct skin contact with lead materials
• Wash hands and face before eating, drinking, or smoking
• For cutting and rasping, ensure filings are captured and are recycled or disposed of appropriately
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Summary/Considerations
• Personal air-sampling results (4 in total) were all below OSHA 8-hour Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level.
• Ensure air capturing device or appropriately positioned forced air are used when lead tinning.
• Ensure applicable PPE is used when handling lead products, especially when the lead is melted i.e.; spillage, splattering, and contact.
• Re-evaluate the method and tools used to lower melted lead into manhole.
• Additional personal monitoring is recommended.
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Compliance Summary
• Training –
– At this time only Hazcom is required, verify this is occurring with Cable-Splicers
• Personal Monitoring
– Has been completed, additional monitoring recommended
• Medical Surveillance
– Due to personal monitoring results there is no requirement for medical surveillance
• Recordkeeping
– Corporate Safety and Distribution maintain exposure records related to this activity – see Boca Raton S.C. VPP Process
• Methods of Compliance Written Program
– See SOPR – Working with Lead Containing Materials