External Removal of Lead-based Paint Procedures 1. Sealing up the area to be sanded. 2. Sheeting ground in areas to be sanded. 3. Hang tarps from gutters to enclose the area to be sanded. 4. Mask up doorways and windows to stop dust penetrating into house. 5. Use sanding equipment in conjunction with HEPA filter dust extractor. 6. People sanding are to wear suits, goggles and approved respirators throughout the sanding procedure. 7. Once sanding is completed all waist is put into paint drums, labeled and sealed for safe disposal. 8. No one other than authorized persons are allowed to enter site whilst lead removal is taking place. 9. A supervisor that has completed the relevant Lead Abatement Courses will be on site at all times. All work practices follow the Australian standard. Lead Paint Removal Procedures This brochure provides basic information for professional painters and professional paint removers on the risks associated with lead-based paint and on practical steps to minimise those risks. Where is lead-based paint likely to be found? On homes or structures built before 1970. In many cases these buildings may have lead-based paint covered by more recently applied paint. Lead-based paint is most likely to be found on window frames, doors, skirting boards, kitchen and bathroom cupboards, exterior walls, gutters, metal surfaces and fascias. It may also be found on interior wails, ceilings and areas with enamel paint. When is lead-based paint a problem? When the paint deteriorates and becomes powdery or flaky. During paint removal. Who is at risk? The person removing lead-based paint. Occupants of the building and neighbors if dust is widely dispersed. Family members of persons working with lead-based paint. What are the health effects of lead absorption? Lead particles can be inhaled or swallowed. Either way, the lead is absorbed and can accumulate in the body. Untreated lead poisoning in adults, children and pets can be fatal. Common symptoms of lead poisoning are shown in the following list. Symptoms of lead poisoning Mild Severe loss of appetite, nausea or constipation abdominal cramps or vomiting fatigue, irritability or headache confusion, unconsciousness or fitting muscle weakness paralysis (wrist drop) Children Children are affected by lead more severely and at lower blood levels than adults. Children are at a higher risk from lead than the rest of the population because: they have a tendency to place lead contaminated fingers and toys in their mouths;they can absorb up to 50 per cent of the lead entering their bodies (whereas adults absorb much less); and their nervous system is still developing. - Studies suggest that relatively low levels of lead in the blood (which are not associated with obvious symptoms) can adversely affect the intellectual development and behaviour of young children.
Women During pregnancy, lead may pass through the placenta from mother to baby. There is some evidence that elevated blood-lead levels in the mother can affect the development of the nervous system of the baby and increase the risk of a premature birth. What to do if you suspect lead poisoning The only way to identify if lead has been absorbed is through a blood lead test. Often, pets are the first to show signs of lead poisoning. A doctor should be consulted immediately if lead poisoning is suspected. Six Steps in Dealing with Lead-Based Paint Step 1 Testing for lead As it is not possible to identify lead-based paint by its appearance, all surfaces and layers of paint to be removed should be tested for lead. If this is not done, the paint should be treated as if it contains lead and the necessary precautions taken. A simple test kit available from some paint manufacturers and distributors can determine the presence of lead-based paint. The kit, comprising of two or more swabs, costs between $15 and $25. Test kits can give false results, so if the swab gives a negative reading, but the age of the house indicates that lead based paint could have been used, assume that lead-based paint is present or have the paint tested by a laboratory. Some analytical laboratories can provide a precise analysis of lead presence. When choosing a laboratory, make sure that it is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities of Australia (NATA) for environmental lead testing. Costs currently range between $30, and $80 per sample. Step 2 Deciding if the paint should be removed In some cases it may be preferable not to remove the paint. Paint in good condition should be left in place, unless major renovation and comprehensive removal is planned. However, lead-based paint should be removed from areas that are likely to be chewed or licked by children, knocked or subject to friction. Alternatives to paint removal include painting over the paint or covering the paint with other materials. Painting over lead-based paint Painting over lead-based paint can be done even when the paint is flaking or chalking. However, when the paint is not in good condition, the surface will need to be prepared by a light wet sanding with wet-and-dry sandpaper to help the paint stick to the surface. Take care not to generate lead dust or contaminate the area with water from the wet-sanding process. Remember that painting over the paint is a temporary solution limited by the life of the paint. Covering lead-based paint with other materials Lead-based paint on exterior surfaces can also be covered with durable materials, such as aluminum cladding or weatherboard. All gaps must be thoroughly sealed. Internal surfaces can be covered with durable materials that will not tear, chip or peel. These include plaster board, vinyl wall coverings, wood paneling and floor coverings such as carpet, tiles or vinyl. Step 3 Choosing a method of paint removal If you have decided to remove the paint, you will need to choose a safe method of removal. Different ways of removing lead paint create different risks to health, which need to be properly controlled. Consult the following table to compare these risks. Method Risk to Health Control Wet scraping PREFERRED Dust may be produced during the scraping process if paint is not wet properly. Flakes of paint may be dispersed around the worksite. Wear a half face respirator with P2 particulate filter during removal and clean up. Use plastic drop sheet which has the edges raised with wooden studs to collect water. Ensure proper collection of paint debris. Chemical strippers PREFERRED Some strippers produce highly toxic vapours or can burn the skin. Even after chemical stripping has been done, a lead residue may still remain. Therefore, sanding after this method may still produce lead dust. Wear a half face respirator for organic vapours, safety glasses, overalls and chemically resistant gloves. Consult MSDS for further information. Ensure windows and doors are open. Wet hand sanding PREFERRED Dust may be produced if paint is not wet properly before sanding. Fine lead residue is left after water dries. Wear a half face respirator with P2 particulate filter during removal and clean up. Use plastic drop sheet which has the edges raised with wooden studs to collect water. Wash down surfaces carefully Low-temperature heat processes PREFERRED Unlikely to produce lead fume unless the paint smokes from too much heat being applied. Dust may also be produced during the scraping process if the paint has started to reharden. Where smoke is present, wear a half face respirator with P2 particulate filter. Keep nozzle temperature below 370EC (700EF) and do not hold too close to surface. Scrape softened paint directly into a disposable container before it rehardens to avoid having to sand or scrape to clean it up. Dry power sanding with HEPA vacuum attachment sanding PREFERRED Lead dust may be generated if the shroud of the sander extends beyond the surface being sanded or if the sander is not kept flat on the surface. Wear a half face respirator with P2 particulate filter. This method should only be done by persons with appropriate training and experience. Not suitable for removing paint from detailed moldings. Dry sanding or scraping NOT RECOMMENDED Large amounts of fine dust are produced and distributed uncontrollably around the worksite. Can contaminate neighboring areas. Wear a half face respirator with P2 particulate filter, overalls and cover hair. Use plastic ground sheet. Do not perform in windy conditions. If working outdoors, use tarpaulins attached to house guttering at top and plastic ground sheet at bottom to prevent dust traveling. Waterblasting NOT RECOMMENDED Lead-contaminated water and flakes of lead paint are dispersed uncontrollably about the worksite. Take precautions to minimise the spread of water run off and ensure proper collection of water and debris. Torch or open flame burning NOT RECOMMENDED Toxic fumes may be generated. Fire risk is high and home insurers should be contacted prior to commencing work Wear a half face respirator with P2 filter for toxic fumes. Ensure area is well ventilated. Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Abrasive blasting NOT RECOMMENDED Large amounts of dust particles are produced and distributed around the worksite. High speed abrasive material can damage skin and eyes. Wear an air supplied positive pressure helmet, protective suit, gloves and footwear. NOT suitable for domestic premises. Step 4 Protecting Yourself Wear protective clothing eg overalls, disposable overshoes, hat and gloves.Wear a respirator designed in accordance with AS 1716. See table for the type of respirator required for the method used. Inexpensive disposable respirators with a single elastic strap are not recommended. Make sure the respirator fits and seals the face. To seal properly your face must be cleanly shaven. Bearded operators should wear a powered air-purifying respirator fitted with P2 or P3 filters.Look after the respirator. Store it face down, away from dust and do not hang it by the straps. Before using it, check that the respirator is free of dust inside, that all valves are in good condition and that correct filters are fitted and are in good condition.If using a chemical stripper, also wear eye protection and chemically resistant gloves.Leave the respirator on until the protective clothing has been removed.Change coveralls and overshoes before leaving the work area to avoid contaminating other areas.Do not smoke, eat or drink near the work area. Wash hands and face thoroughly before doing any of these activities. Use nailbrushes.Shower and wash hair as soon as possible after finishing work.Wash work clothes separately from the family wash. - Have your blood levels checked by a doctor if you a re regularly working with lead-based paint.
Step 5 Setting Up Exterior work Exterior work should be completed before interior work. Any lead dust from exterior work that enters the house can be removed during the interior clean up.Avoid contaminating the soil. Cover the ground and vegetation with plastic sheeting to catch dust and debris. The plastic should extend two metres from the base of the house and an additional metre for each store.Use bricks or rocks to hold the edges of the plastic sheeting in place and place wooden studs under the edges of the sheeting to contain liquid.Close windows and doors to prevent dust from entering the building.Avoid working in windy conditions, as the lead dust and paint might be blown off the plastic sheeting as it dries.Move play equipment away from the work area and cover sandpits.Remove personal belongings from the area.Use tarpaulins to prevent dust from traveling to neighboring properties. Tarpaulins can be attached to house guttering at the top and to the plastic ground sheet at the bottom.Inform neighbors so that they can close windows and doors while exterior work is being done, move play equipment away from the boundary fence and cover their own sandpits. - Exclude all others from the work area, especially pregnant women, children and pets.
Interior work Remove furniture, rugs, curtains, food, clothing and other household items.Cover floor with disposable double plastic sheeting and tape the sheeting to the skirting boards. The top sheet should be disposed of with the debris. The bottom sheet should remain in place during the wash down. Given that it is difficult to remove lead dust from carpet, even with a HEPA vacuum cleaner, ensure that the carpet is securely covered or temporarily removed. If the carpet has already been exposed to chalking or flaking paint, consider replacing it.Cover openings, such as gaps around pipes and between floorboards, with plastic sheeting and heavy-duty tape.Cover immovable surfaces such as counter-tops and shelves with plastic and tape down the edges so dust cannot enter.Tape around the door seals of refrigerators.Turn off forced-air heating and air conditioning. Cover and seal doors and air ducts for heating and cooling systems.Close the work area by covering entrances with two lengths of plastic sheeting which overlap each other in the middle. Tape the outside edges at the top and sides to the door jambs. Windows should be closed, unless using a torch or open flame or chemical strippers. When using chemical strippers indoors, also use exhaust fans where possible.Keep all plastic sheets well maintained. If a tear is detected the sheet should be repaired or replaced immediately. - Exclude all others from the work area, especially pregnant women, children and pets.
Step 6 Cleaning Up Remain in protective clothing, including gloves and respirator.Using a spray bottle, wet down all dust and debris that are lying on the plastic sheeting before taking them up.Place large disposable items including the plastic sheet and other debris into tough plastic bags.Vacuum all surfaces with a suitable commercial vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter or wet-clean hard surfaces using either a carpet steam cleaner or wet mopping several times. Put dust into tough sealable plastic bags. Alternatively, some contract cleaning services offer an effective chemical method of removing lead dust.Do not use a broom, compressed air or a vacuum cleaner without a HEPA filter as it will spread lead dust.Wipe down all surfaces in the work areas with a damp cloth. Follow by washing area with 25 grams of 5% trisodium phosphate (TSP) in 5 litres of hot water or sugar soap. Renew the solution frequently to prevent it becoming contaminated. Dispose of cloths and mops to avoid spreading lead dust during cleaning.When surfaces are dry, vacuum a second time paying particular attention to skirting boards, architraves, window sills, casings, shelves and counter-tops until no dust or residue remains.Dampen dusty outside areas with spray from a garden hose. Sweep and collect debris. Avoid dry sweeping since it spreads lead dust. Shovel paint debris into heavy-duty plastic bags.If soil has been contaminated, remove the top layer and put into tough sealable plastic bags.Clean your tools with TSP solution or sugar soap. Clean respirators after use and store them in a container away from the lead source.Remove contaminated clothing before leaving the work area. Put clothes in a plastic bag until washed and wash separately. - Clean up the site frequently throughout the day and vacuum at the end of each day.
Disposal of Lead Contaminated Waste Place lead-containing debris into heavy-duty plastic bags which have been deflated to prevent bursting and seal them. Lead-contaminated water generated as a result of wet scraping or sanding, or during clean-up, should be poured into a strong, securely sealed container.Provide short-term secure storage.Transport debris and solid waste materials containing lead to waste systems. Seek advice from the waste management section of your local council as to how the waste should be disposed. Ensure that all bulky items are covered during transportation. - Ensure that debris is not consigned for incineration.
Workplace Health and Safety Legislation The Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 sets out the laws about workplace health and safety in Queensland. The legislative framework also includes Advisory Standards and Regulations. The Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 1997 requires employers and self-employed persons to notify Workplace Health and Safety about lead risk jobs. Workplace Health and Safety requires employers to fill out three forms in relation to lead-risk jobs The forms are: notification of lead-risk job health surveillance report - summary of health surveillance reports
Information provided courtesy of Queensland Master Painters Association | 
