eTools Home :Lead: Secondary Lead Smelter Scope | Definitions | References | Credits
Lead: Secondary Lead Smelter



Overview
Overexposure to lead is a leading cause of workplace illness in the lead industry. Employees working in secondary lead smelter plants are exposed to one of the highest lead exposure levels among all lead-related industries.

Smelting is the process of reducing reclaimed lead compounds to elemental lead

Environmental Controls
Refining and Casting
Smelting
Engineering Controls
Raw Materials Processing
Maintenance
OSHA Lead Requirements


Respiratory protection and medical surveillance are not addressed in this eTool. However, they are essential for controlling lead exposure levels and preventing lead-related disease when engineering controls do not reduce airborne lead levels below the permissible exposure limit. Please refer to respiratory protection and medical surveillance for more information.


The OSHA Lead Standard requires the employer to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level through the use of engineering and work practice controls (1910.1025(e)(1). The engineering and work practice controls addressed in this eTool have been shown to reduce employee exposure and are provided to assist employers and employees in complying with the OSHA Lead Standard. It is the employer's responsibility to evaluate the sources of exposure and the specific controls for operations that are necessary to comply with the Lead Standard.

eTools Home :Lead: Secondary Lead Smelter Scope | Definitions | References | Credits