Lead paint

[Novachris]

Hi, i am working on an old (1953) comercial ship.

we are carring out a bit of maintenance inside,i have been asked to chip off some old paint below deck,it looks original circa 1953,the top coat is white and the coat next to the steel looks like some kind of thin black tar.

Am I wise to be wary of how we take this paint off?

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

I would say so yes. id you take precautions (not that kind!) the worst that happnes is that you are over protected for a more modern paint!

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Lead Based Paint Precautions When Chipping

Yes you are wise as it is likely to contain lead as most industrial paints pre 1975 or therabouts contained leads, so I believe. My drill crews wear safety boots, coveralls (over the boots), gloves, lead dust approved dust masks and eye protection when chipping paint. This is based on a standard risk assessment that we have in place for this type of routine job.

The chipping process can release small puffs of dust depending on the amount of rust on the surface hence the dust masks reduce the exposure to inhaled nuisance dust, the gloves protect against absorption through the skin as the dust accumulates on the hands and of course the eyes are protected from flying chips by safety glasses (goggles actually).

You must not sand, grind, blast or needle gun (air operated chipping device) lead based paint unless the devices have vacuum systems approved for handling lead dust. The accumulated chippings are a source of lead contamination which is a greater hazard than just the chipping operation in itself as the potential to release large quantities of lead based dust exists through sweeping and handling for disposal.

Normally we use a sheet on the floor to collect the chippings which is dampened down with a water spray. I am not sure about UK law but lead chippings are hazardous waste in some of the countries that we work in and require a specialist contractor to handle.

You must avoid the build up of dust in the air or on your body as it can be absorbed through skin, breathed in and ingested by hand to mouth inadvertently. Loads of stuff on Google.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/KeepingSafeAtHome/DG_179814

 

[Novachris]

Thanks for the replys esp "Blowingoldboots" I thought as much,my boss originaly wanted us to use a blow lamp to clean this paint off, but after protests from my gang, he relented.

We are using ordinary dust masks which ,i guess are no good.

thanks for the heads up,I look forward to him blowing a gasket in the morning when he gets this gem.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Recommended dust mask for lead dust is EN143 P2 readily available. Details here: -

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/chemicals/specific/lead/