Utility worker safety

Responding is Karen Santoyo, RN, COHN, director, medical services, Examinetics, Overland Park, KS.

Lead remains a significant threat for utility workers, particularly those in the telecom industry who share utility poles with overhead electrical lines. Electrical line workers may also be inadvertently exposed to lead from existing lead-sheathed telecom cables simply by climbing over them. Additionally, underground utility vaults, where cables are regularly spliced, pose further risks of lead exposure.

Meticulous containment of lead exposure is crucial for both workers and employers, as elevated blood lead levels can severely affect reproductive health long before reaching OSHA’s removal limits. Chronic lead exposure can lead to reproductive issues in both men and women, including decreased sex drive, impotence and infertility in men; birth defects, miscarriages and fertility issues in women; and abnormal menstrual cycles. Children born to parents exposed to high lead levels are at a greater risk for developmental issues, including birth defects, behavioral disorders or increased mortality in infancy.

Although personal protective equipment is crucial, it isn’t sufficient on its own. Effective housekeeping practices are essential to prevent lead contamination, which can unknowingly spread to workers’ vehicles, homes and laundry. Cleaning lead is both difficult and costly; thus, proactive measures are necessary to contain its spread.

Workers should be aware of exposure levels and adhere to organizational policies designed to mitigate risks. Maintaining clean work areas and practicing good hygiene are vital. To clean lead dust, employees should avoid using compressed air or sweeping. Instead, they should employ wet cleaning methods and use lead cleaning wipes that are specifically formulated for this purpose.

Regular handwashing is critical. Workers should avoid touching their face, especially in lead-exposed areas, and refrain from eating or drinking in such environments. It’s important to wash hands thoroughly before any activities that involve the face, such as eating or applying lip balm.

To further minimize risk, work areas should be well-ventilated. If possible, workers should open windows and employers should ensure closed exhaust systems are in place, as feasible. Lead-exposed employees should have designated locker spaces to store clean clothes separately from work attire. After finishing work, they should change out of contaminated clothing in a designated area, storing these items in clean plastic bags.

If showers are unavailable at the workplace, lead removal soap should be used to wash thoroughly before changing back into street clothes. For employers who provide a lead laundry service, employees should ensure their work clothes are left in the appropriate area for pickup. Care should be taken not to shake out or unnecessarily handle dirty clothes.

In situations in which no laundry service is provided, workers should carry their contaminated clothes home in sealed plastic bags and wash them separately from other laundry. Proper storage and cleaning of work boots is also important; boots should remain at the workplace and be cleaned with lead wipes before being removed.

Taking rigorous precautions against lead exposure is imperative to protect the health of workers and their families.

Editor's note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be considered a National Safety Council endorsement.