14 Mar Lead Safety in the Workplace

Lead is found in more than just ammunition and car batteries; it is actually utilized in many different industries and products we use daily. It is also one of the first metals mined by human beings and is responsible for the first recorded occupational disease (lead colic).

Today We Can Find Lead in Many Places & Products, Like:

• Ammunition
• Car batteries
• Pipes
• Building material
• Solder
• Cable coverings
• Fishing weights
• High octane aviation fuel
• Radiation shielding 

How Leads Affects the Body

Lead enters the body primarily through inhalation or ingestion. The most common way to inhale lead is through lead particles or fumes in the air at work. You may also ingest lead accidentally, as it tends to linger on skin and fabrics. While small amounts of lead in the body are safe, too much exposure can affect your body in different ways such as:

• Fertility problems in men and women
• Digestive problems, like constipation
• Nerve disorders
• Memory and concentration problems
• Muscle and joint pain

Some symptoms associated with lead poisoning can seem minor, but if exposure is excessive it can result in death. Lead used to be in paint prior to 1977, which caused many instances of these lead poisoning side effects.

Who is Exposed to Lead? 

We are all exposed to lead on a daily basis, some more than others. Workers are exposed to lead in the production and recycling of lead products. Lead exposure is most common in the construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.

How to Prevent Lead Exposure

If you work in an environment where lead is present, it is important to take the proper precautions to limit your exposure by doing the following:

• Wear proper protection equipment (gloves, safety goggles, and protective clothing)
• Avoid eating anywhere near areas where lead is present
• Wash your hands with a lead removal product
• Shower and change your clothes after work
• Leave shoes in a designated safe place to avoid contaminating your car and home
• Work in a well-ventilated area
• Get the proper safety training for working with lead

By following these precautions while working with lead, you can limit your exposure and help make your job a safer workplace. 

Protect Your Workplace Today

Lead can be found in products and materials we handle every day. It is safe in small amounts, but too much lead exposure can cause harmful side effects if the proper precautions aren’t taken. Protect your workers by contacting Creation World Safety today. Enroll your employees in a safety training course that teaches them how to handle lead exposure safely. To learn more about this safety training course and other safety training courses offered at Creation World Safety, contact one of our team members now!