Lead Training and Awareness Ruan Transportation Corporation Johnson Control Account

What is Lead and Where is it Found? +Inorganic lead is a malleable, blue-gray, heavy metal that occurs naturally in the Earth’s crust. +The primary use of lead in the United States is for automobile lead-acid storage batteries. Leaking battery acid and dust from the acid is the main cause for exposure opportunities on this account. Can also be found in: lead based paint, racing fuels, ammunition, distilling, fishing accessories, plumbing in older buildings/houses, and other common hobbies. +Lead is found in many area of our working and personal lives and in various environments.

Lead and its Effects +The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined and recommends a maximum tolerable dosage of lead. 25 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per week For a 225 pound individual, this translates to 2.5 micrograms of lead a week Not all lead entering the body is absorbed The tolerable dose is the maximum amount of lead a person can absorb without an increase in their blood lead level +Health effects of lead have been studied for many years +Lead can be dangerous and even deadly at high levels Cleanliness; meaning good hygiene - is the key to keeping lead out of your body.

OSHA Regulations: Lead +Regulation , Appendix A and Appendix B describe in detail the scope and application to the lead standard requirements. Action Level: means employee exposure, without regard to the use of respirators, to an airborne concentration of lead of 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8 hour window. Permissible Exposure Limit: the employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged over an 8 hour window. These are specific to air testing +Employers are responsible to collect a full shift (minimum of 7 continuous hours) of personal samples of at least one sample for each shift for each job classification in the work area. +If test results are higher than 30 micrograms per cubic meter of air, then the employer must take actions which may include; engineering controls, respirators, hygiene protocols, medical surveillance protocols, blood lead level testing, additional air testing, etc.

OSHA Regulations: Lead +Included in the regulation are standards for surface lead levels in particular to eating and changing areas. These areas must be below 200 micrograms per square foot. +All surfaces need to be maintained as free as practicable of accumulations of lead. +Personal protective equipment is provided by the employer. Appendix A and B are provided to you: Please read through both of these documents to understand the compliance requirements with OSHA regulations. A copy of the SDS is also provided to you: Please read and become familiar with the SDS.

Health Concerns with Batteries +Batteries are safe, but caution is necessary when touching damaged cells and when handling lead acid systems that have access to lead and sulfuric acid. Lead exists in the battery acid Leaking batteries are a source of lead exposure +The sulfuric acid in a lead acid battery is highly corrosive and is more harmful than acids used in most other battery systems. Contact with eyes can cause permanent blindness; swallowing damages internal organs that can lead to death. First aid treatment calls for flushing the skin for 10–15 minutes with large amounts of water to cool the affected tissue and to prevent secondary damage. Immediately remove contaminated clothing and thoroughly wash the underlying skin. Always wear protective equipment when handling sulfuric acid.

Lead Can Enter the Body in One of Three Ways: 1. Inhalation 2. Ingestion 3. Absorbed through skin, which generally does not happen

Inhalation +Exposure to lead can come from breathing in dust containing lead and fumes. +Lead passes through the lungs into the blood where it can harm the body’s organ systems. +Our lungs are designed to take oxygen out of the air and put it into the blood stream. The same function happens with lead. +It can take anywhere from 1.5 to 3 days for a lead particle to completely move from the lungs into the blood stream. +Larger lead particles can be trapped in the nasal hair and cilia (small hairs that line the throat). This is one way the body clears the inhaled dust and dirt out of the body.

Ingestion +The most common way lead enters the body is through accidental ingestion Eating Drinking Smoking When lead is on your hands and they have not been cleaned, there is a chance of either inhalation or ingestion. Washing your hands before eating, drinking, smoking, or touching any area around your mouth, nose, or eyes is VERY important when you are working near or around any type of lead products or dust.

Skin Absorption +The amount of lead that can be absorbed through the skin is significantly less than can be absorbed by inhalation or ingestion. +Skin absorption is the least common way for lead to enter the body. Lead on the skin is more likely to be ingested or inhaled than absorbed into the skin +The outer layer of skin actually works as a barrier between the internal body and the outside world. +When the skin is damaged, lead can be brought into the body. An example of this would be the absorption through a small cut on your hand.

The Purpose of the Training is to Keep You Safe +Prevent adverse effects of lead exposure +Educate you on how you can practice good hygiene habits to ensure prevention

Signs and Symptoms of Overexposure +Loss of appetite +Metallic taste +Anxiety +Constipation +Insomnia +Headaches +Nervous irritability +Muscle and joint pain or soreness +Nausea +Unhealthy pale appearance +Excessive tiredness +Weakness

Signs and symptoms of overexposure +Fine tremors +Numbness +Dizziness +Hyperactivity +Colic

Effects of Acute Overexposure +Large dosages can kill in a matter of days +Acute encephalopathy can lead to seizures, coma, and cardiorespiratory arrest

Effects of Chronic Overexposure Chronic Overexposure can cause problems with: +Blood-forming system +Nervous system +Kidneys +Urinary system +Reproductive systems Lead’s toxicity is due to the fact that the body can’t tell the difference between lead and calcium. When too much lead is present it can interfere with, or interrupt all of the important functions calcium performs in the body. chron·ic: (of an illness) persisting for a long time or constantly recurring "chronic bronchitis“ synonyms: persistent, long-standing, long-term

Reduce Your Exposure: Follow These Prevention Measures +Wash your hands often. Anytime you are near or working around leaking batteries, inside a battery warehouse or plant---wash your hands. +If soap and water are not available, use the D Wipes to clean your hands. (Available to you by your terminal staff) D Wipes are made especially to remove heavy lead particles. They are very effective and made to quickly remove lead and other heavy metal dust. They bind and hold the lead dust. +Wear your personal protective equipment Gloves Boots Vests or uniform shirts with reflective stripes Safety glasses

Reduce Your Exposure: Follow These Prevention Measures +Keep your work area clean. This includes your truck, bunk, steering wheel, pallet jack, clipboard (use only non porous such as metal or plastic). Clean all surfaces. Use the D Wipes to clean surfaces at least weekly. +Do NOT eat in your truck. +Do NOT apply cosmetics in the truck. Ex: Applying lotions, applying make-up, or inserting contacts. +Avoid excessive time inside the battery cross dock and warehouse. Complete your required work or task and exit the facility. Pick up your pallet jack and leave, don’t loiter or talk. +Clean your work boots with the D Wipes. Clean your work area. Use the D Wipes to clean surfaces at least weekly.

Reduce Your Exposure: Follow These Prevention Measures +Clean your work boots before you go home. Use the D Wipes. +Change out of your work clothes. Secure any clothes or boots that may have been exposed to lead or battery acid, place them in a plastic bag. Wash these clothes separately from your other clothes. +Do not bring your gloves used while handling batteries of any kind into the cab of the truck. Keep them in a plastic bag out of the truck. (sidebox) Due to limited exposure and test results below action levels, respirators are not a required piece of PPE for this account at this time.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS): Lead Acid Battery

Documentation Distribution +Appendix A and B Please read through both of these documents to understand the compliance requirements with OSHA regulations. +Copy of SDS Read and become familiar with the SDS *Additional D Wipes are available from your terminal staff. Please use them. Please contact your Safety Manager for a copy of the Ruan’s Lead OSHA Program or a copy of the OSHA standard. Copies are made available.

Questions