Handling and Installation of Lead Containing Materials

 

• Lead lined drywall must always be kept out of the sun and stored indoors in a cool dry place as the sheet lead readily absorbs heat and causes the gypsum drywall to "sweat" and crumble or become soft and prone to crack,fracture and fold.    
• NEVER STORE LEAD DRYWALL IN SUN OR EXPOSE TO ANY MOISTURE
• If the drywall is transported in the back of a delivery truck on a hot day or in the sun, promptly cover the drywall with cardboard or another sheet of regular drywall and let the lead drywall "cool" prior to moving or stocking it. Preferably park the delivery truck in cool shade and stock only in the early morning
• Never transport or stock in the rain or allow the drywall to get wet.
• Never expose or store materials in direct sun,heat or moisture.
• Always keep in mind the heavy weight of the drywall and be sure the drywall cart or elevators can easily handle the total weight.
• Never exceed or over load carts,forklifts,gradalls,trucks or elevators beyond their stated capacities.
• Lead lined drywall panels are very heavy and must be carefully secured and stocked flat on a level ground surface on a minimum of 4 or more evenly spaced blocks or other wood supports,and NEVER against a wall or leaned against a vertical surface which materials may tip or fall over or collapse causing potential damage or serious injury to the installers or others.

 

These handling suggestions are only for new stocking for an installation of new lead materials and does not involve any disturbing of existing lead materials or demolition or lead abatement procedures or protocols.

 

Ray-Bar does not offer or provide any abatement services and consulting, or demolition, or perform services potentially disturbing any existing lead materials.

 

All other construction trades must be complete with framing,all utility rough-ins and related inspections prior to scheduling stocking and installation of any lead containing shielding materials. (Contractor fully responsible to co-ordinate,inform and strictly control all related trades and subcontractors and confirm)

 

• Room(s) to be completely clean of other debris, refuse and other trades and subcontractors materials or products prior to lead lined drywall material stockers or installers arrival.
• No other trades or persons allowed to work in,occupy or enter room at any time during stocking, storage or installation of lead containing materials. (Contractor fully responsible to notify and advise all potentially related trades,subs or persons of this important requirement)
• Yellow or red caution tape should be applied around room perimeter prior to stocking and remain during storage installation,and final clean-up of all debris.
• Caution warning signs should be posted stating: "No Admittance --Lead Work in Progress--Authorized and Properly Trained Personnel Only".
• Sticky mats for dust and debris control should be installed on the floor at every entrance to each room(s).
• All stockers must be properly trained and documented as knowledgeable in the safe handling,good hygiene practices and completed any required monitoring and carefully reviewed the installation instructions and MSDS of all lead materials and products utilized on each project in compliance with all applicable Federal,State or local safety and environmental regulations,codes and laws.
• All materials for installation will be only stocked in the actual room they are to be installed in and that room must be yellow  or red caution taped with proper signage at all entrances to room to restrict access of any unauthorized persons.
• Environmental monitoring of work areas,personel and air,biological monitoring of stockers/installers and final clearance wipe tests may be required. If monitoring is required only use professionally licensed and certified services and independent laboratories as required by your applicable safety or environmental regulations.
• All stockers of lead containing materials must wear new clean fresh Tyvek work overalls and protective gloves daily.
• All stockers of lead containing materials must wear approved construction grade work boots.(No tennis or athletic shoes)
• All stockers of lead containing materials must never take or wear work uniforms,gloves or work boots home.
• Stockers of lead containing materials must never chew gum or use any type of tobacco products when handling lead products.
• Stockers of lead containing materials must never touch their face, or put fingers in mouth or nose when handling lead products and must thoroughly wash prior to touching face, mouth or nose. 
• Stockers of lead containing materials must thoroughly clean face, arms and hands including under finger nails prior to eating,drinking,leaving room or going home.
• Absolutely no food, eating, drinking or smoking permitted in stocking area or installation room. 
• Stockers of lead containing materials must thoroughly wash hands, finger nails and arms before eating, drinking, using bathroom or leaving premises.
• Stockers of lead containing materials must bring clean TSP wash-wipes for wiping hands, arms and face to jobsite daily.
• Stockers of lead containing materials must be trained, tested,  and acquire proper medical respiratory clearance to wear NIOSH N100 or P100 rated disposable or cartridge respirators only if performing "trigger tasks" as defined by Federal OSHA or Cal-OSHA 1532.
• No other trades or persons may pick up,touch,remove,handle or clean up sheet lead trimmings,remnants or lead containing materials / products. (General Contractor is fully responsible to notify and advise all related trades, subs or persons)
• Lead containing remnants must be properly disposed or recycled by a certified metals recycling company in compliance with all current local state and federal health, safety and environmental laws, codes and regulations.
• Lead containing remnants must never be allowed to be thrown into general waste or trash, or taken home.
• Room(s) to be thoroughly cleaned and HEPA vacuumed and TSP wet mopped by the trained installers when their installation is complete and prior to leaving premises.
• Above is a very brief and short confidential summary guide of just some of the lead handling and material stocking of project procedures: (These procedures are provided as a basic courtesy and do not necessarily or fully reflect an entire complete lead handling safety program or IPP or potential monitoring requirements as this is an individual responsibility of the persons and companies involved in each project to review all current local state and federal health,safety and environmental laws,codes and regulations,MSDS and unique project conditions.) This information is provided as a courtesy only and rough guide and Ray-Bar does not provide environmental consulting services or guarantee or assume any responsibility of accuracy in the information provided herein.
• Lead abatement procedures and protocols do not apply to stocking or installing new lead construction materials as long as there is no demolition activities disturbing and existing lead,and there is no power tools utilized to cut lead or lead drywall and no welding, torching, burning or soldering of lead.

Contact Us if You Have Any Questions Regarding the Handling of Lead Containing Materials for Your Application

For over 80 years, Ray-Bar Engineering has been a leading manufacturer of top-tier radiation shielding solutions for medical, hospital, and industrial NDT facilities worldwide. Our radiation protection shielding products are designed and manufactured with precision to meet the strictest U.S. and international radiation and building safety standards.

Contact us to learn how Ray-Bar's radiation shielding products can provide superior protection in your application. You can also request a quote online for pricing estimates on your project. For radiation shielding solutions that meet the highest industry standards, choose Ray-Bar Engineering.