CSLB C-33 Painting & DecoratingSafetyHard
A painting contractor is supervising a project where workers are using power sanders to prepare surfaces previously coated with lead-based paint. What is the MINIMUM respiratory protection required for these workers, assuming engineering controls are insufficient to reduce lead dust below the PEL?
- AN95 filtering facepiece respirator
- BSupplied-air respirator (SAR) with full facepiece
- CFull-face air-purifying respirator with P100 cartridges
- DHalf-mask air-purifying respirator with P100 cartridges
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Half-mask air-purifying respirator with P100 cartridges
OSHA's lead standard (1926.62) requires at least a half-mask air-purifying respirator with P100 filters when lead dust exposure exceeds the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) but is less than 10 times the PEL. Power sanding generates significant lead dust.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. N95 respirators are not sufficient for lead dust exposure above the PEL due to their lower filtration efficiency (95% vs 99.97% for P100).
- B. A supplied-air respirator (SAR) offers the highest level of protection (up to 1000 times the PEL or more) but is typically required for extreme lead concentrations or in situations where air-purifying respirators are inadequate or prohibited.
- C. A full-face air-purifying respirator with P100 cartridges offers higher protection (up to 50 times the PEL) but is not the minimum required for this scenario; it might be necessary for higher concentrations.
Lead Dust Respiratory Protection
Respiratory protection for lead dust must be selected based on exposure levels, with P100 filters generally required when lead exposure exceeds the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL).
- P100 filters are 99.97% efficient against airborne particulate contaminants.
- Half-mask respirators with P100 are effective up to 10x PEL.
- Full-face respirators with P100 are effective up to 50x PEL.
- Supplied-air respirators are for highest concentrations.
Memory trick: Lead Levels Limit Lung Layers.