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