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June 2013. Continuous Improvement in Employee Blood Lead Reduction. 18 th International Lead Conference Prague, 19-21 June 2013 Troy A. Greiss MS, CIH, CSP East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc. East Penn Manufacturing Campus Lyon Station, Pennsylvania. Overview.
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Continuous Improvement in Employee Blood Lead Reduction 18th International Lead Conference Prague, 19-21 June 2013 Troy A. Greiss MS, CIH, CSP East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Overview Applications Of Industrial Hygiene Principles Routes of Entry Hierarchy of Controls Engineering Administrative Personal Protective Equipment Lead Exposed Population Trends Legacy Issues Closing Remarks
Routes of Entry Inhalation - Involves airborne contaminants that can be inhaled directly into the lungs. - Particularly important because of the rapid nature the toxic material being absorbed in the lungs and pass into the blood stream. - Influence of particle size Ingestion - Pathway, employees unknowingly eat or drink harmful chemicals. - Toxic materials can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood stream. - Inhaled toxic dusts can also be ingested. It is important to know the route of entry when evaluating the work environment.
Hierarchy of Control Engineering Controls Administrative Controls Personal Protective Equipment Employee Consults and Audits
Engineering Controls Engineer out the Hazard by design specification Apply methods using isolation, enclosure or local exhaust Engineering should be the first control strategy
Administrative Controls Reduce exposure by adjusting work regime; job share, job rotation Housekeeping Employee training Work Practices Hygiene Practices Incentives
Housekeeping Wet Floor Scrubbers Vacuum Systems Wet Down Techniques
Work Practices Minimize dust generation • Place don’t throw • Place don’t drop • Clean up accumulated dust Work close to local exhaust ventilation Keep ventilation free from obstruction
Personal Hygiene Practices No eating, drinking and smoking in the Workplace Hand/Arm/Face Washing and Shower Removal of Personal Protective Equipment (Gloves, Uniforms) Hand to Mouth Contact (biting finger nails) Once Clean – Stay Clean
Personal Protective Equipment Application, Selection and Use Proper Fit Donning/Doffing Storage Cleaning
Employee Consults and Audits Employee Training: Healthy Hygiene Habits Blood Lead Consult Checklist and Action Plan Lead Check (Hand/Nail) Procedure New Employee Orientation Coaching Increased Sample Frequency
Closing Remarks • Local Exhaust ventilation and Engineering Controls are essential elements in the first phase of employee exposure control and reducing employee blood leads • Administrative Controls through Enhanced Personal Hygiene/Work Practices coupled with Individual Employee Consults produced a 3 ug/dl reduction in the average Blood Lead within 1 Year • Continue with Employee engagement efforts and supplement with PPE to foster a further individual employee Blood Lead reduction strategy, case-by-case basis.