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Disclaimer: This resource has been prepared to help the workplace parties understand some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and regulations. It is not legal advice. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations. For further information please see full disclaimer.
A key feature of this guideline is the classification of work. It is the classification of the work that determines the appropriate respirators, measures and procedures that should be followed to protect the worker from lead exposure. In this guideline, lead-containing construction operations are classified into three groups, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 operations, and can be thought of as being of low, medium and high risk. Some groups, Type 2 and Type 3, are further subdivided. From Type 1 to Type 3 operations, the corresponding respirator requirements, and measures and procedures become increasingly stringent.
The classification of typical lead-containing construction tasks is based on presumed airborne concentrations obtained from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Ontario Ministry of Labour, and published research studies. The classification of Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 operations are grouped based on the following concentrations of airborne lead:
Type 1 Operations | Type 2 Operations | Type 3 Operations | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Type 2a | Type 2b | Type 3a | Type 3b | |
≤ 0.05 mg/m3 | > 0.05 to 0.50 mg/m3 | > 0.50 to 1.25 mg/m3 | > 1.25 to 2.50 mg/m3 | > 2.50 mg/m3 |
* Effective implies that the dust collection system should be capable of controlling airborne lead concentration levels to below 0.05 mg/m3. Employers should follow manufacturer's recommendations and maintenance specifications for optimal function.
Employers, supervisors, and workers should be able to recognize and classify lead-containing operations in order to provide appropriate respirators, measures and procedures. Respirator requirements are listed in Table 1 for Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 operations.
Operations | Required Respirator |
---|---|
Type 1 (0 to 0.05 mg/m3)
|
Respirators should not be necessary if the general procedures listed in Section 6.1 are followed and if the level of lead in the air is less than 0.05 mg/m3. However, if the worker wishes to use a respirator, a half-mask particulate respirator with N-, R- or P-series filter, and 95, 99 or 100% efficiency should be provided. |
Type 2a (>0.05 to 0.50 mg/m3)
|
NIOSH APF = 10
Half-mask particulate respirator with N-, R-or P-series filter, and 95, 99 or 100% efficiency. |
Type 2b (>0.50 mg/m3 to 1.25 mg/m3)
|
NIOSH
APF = 25
Powered air purifying respirator equipped with a hood or helmet, and any type of high efficiency filter. Supplied air respirator equipped with a hood or helmet and operated in a continuous flow mode. |
Type 3a (>1.25 to 2.50 mg/m3)
|
NIOSH APF = 50
Full-facepiece air-purifying respirator with N-, R-or P-series filter, and 100% efficiency. Tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirator with a high efficiency filter. Full-facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in demand mode. Half-mask or full-facepiece supplied air respirator operated in continuous-flow mode. |
Type 3b (more than 2.50 mg/m3)
|
NIOSH APF = 1000
Type CE abrasive-blast supplied respirator operated in a positive pressure mode with a tight-fitting half-mask facepiece. |
Type 3b (more than 2.50 mg/m3)
|
NIOSH
APF = 1000
Full-facepiece supplied-air respirator operated in pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode. |
* NIOSH APF = National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Assigned Protection Factor
Note: It is recommended that compressed air used to supply air respirators should meet the breathing air purity requirement of CSA Standard Z180.1-00 (View CSA standards). Where an oil-lubricated compressor is used to supply breathing air, a continuous carbon monoxide monitor/alarm must be provided.
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Disclaimer: This web resource has been prepared to assist the workplace parties in understanding some of their obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the regulations. It is not intended to replace the OHSA or the regulations and reference should always be made to the official version of the legislation.
It is the responsibility of the workplace parties to ensure compliance with the legislation. This web resource does not constitute legal advice. If you require assistance with respect to the interpretation of the legislation and its potential application in specific circumstances, please contact your legal counsel.
While this web resource will also be available to Ministry of Labour inspectors, they will apply and enforce the OHSA and its regulations based on the facts as they may find them in the workplace. This web resource does not affect their enforcement discretion in any way.
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