Lead based Paint and Plaster Preparation

Official university administrative procedure

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Procedure Information

Lead based Paint and Plaster Preparation

Effective

March 2013

Number

DEHS Industrial Hygiene 6

Applicability

Administrative Authority

Senior Associate Vice President for Operations

Responsible Unit

Environmental Health & Safety
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
502-852-6670
dehs@louisville.edu

History

Revision Date(s):

Reviewed Date(s):

Categories

Statement

When previous paint layer is lead-based and surface is chipping or peeling, or when small areas of plaster (less than 5 sq ft) are unsound and must be repaired:

  1. If paint chips/dust have already fallen, preclean the area with a HEPA vacuum prior to laying down the plastic.
  2. Lay 6- mil plastic dropcloth under the area to be scraped and secure to the cove base with duct tape. Cover other surfaces that might become contaminated with paint chips/dust such as convectors and immovable furniture.
  3. If the work requires you to walk on paint chips and dust that may fall on the plastic, wear tyvek shoe covers while working and remove them before stepping off the plastic.
  1. Wet scraping/sanding - mist surface with detergent/water solution prior to scraping or sanding, remist as required to control dust.
  2. When scraping is complete, pick up any chunks too large for the HEPA vac and place in a bag labeled "Lead Contaminated Waste". Then use the HEPA vac to vacuum any paint chips or dust from plastic dropcloth.
  3. Mist plastic and wipe plastic with disposable towel. Discard towels and shoe covers as lead contaminated waste. Plastic may be reused or discarded in regular trash.
  4. Wash hands and face prior to eating, drinking, or smoking.
  5. Contact DEHS at 2956 for delivery of containers for disposal of lead contaminated waste. When container is ready for disposal fill out a pick-up form on-line at https://louisville.edu/dehs/waste-disposal.


When previous layer of lead-based paint is powdering (airborne lead hazard), or for large areas of plaster (more than 5 sq ft) are in need of repair:

  1. Do not disturb or perform repairs. A special project set up with personal protective equipment and air sampling is needed to determine the degree of hazard from airborne lead.
  2. Contact DEHS for assistance it assessing hazard.

Reasoning

  1. Protect workers and occupants from airborne exposure to lead and dusts.
  2. Protect carpet and flooring from lead contamination and avoid tracking lead-based paint chips and dust to other parts of the building.
  3. Ensure lead-based paint chips, dust, and lead contaminated wastes are collected for proper disposal.