Lead paint removal/residential buildings audit checklist

Has a test to determine the lead in paint been conducted?

What method of testing was used?

Will any of the following methods be used to remove lead based paint?

• wet scraping and wet sanding?

• on site chemical strippers?

• removal by heat gun and scraper?

• sander with HEPA dust extraction facility attached?

• other methods not listed?

Is a lead process being carried out?

Has a risk assessment been conducted?

Is this a lead-risk job?

Has a record of assessment been kept?

Has Workplace Health and Safety Queensland been notified, in the approved form, of the lead-risk job?

Is exposure less than the National Exposure Standard for lead?

Is exposure controlled, as far as is practicable, by ways other than the use of PPE?

Has the employer ensured that lead used in the lead process area does not, as far as is practicable, contaminate other areas of the workplace?

Has the employer ensured that the following provisions are made:

• Workers are not exposed to the risk of lead in an area provided by the employer for eating and drinking?

• Before moving from the lead process area to an area used for eating and drinking, workers wash their forearms, hands and face at the washing facilities provided at the workplace?

• No one eats, chews gum, smokes or carries anything used for smoking in a lead process area?

• No one in a lead process area drinks from anything other than a drinking facility that is made free from lead contamination?

• The lead process area is not cleaned by compressed air or other compressed gas or dry sweeping?

• A worker does not take lead contaminated clothing home for laundering?

• Lead contaminated clothing is laundered?

Have containment control measures as listed been implemented:

• Physical barriers to restrict access?

• Exclusion of persons from the work area?

• Security of the work area?

• Regular clean up and disposal of debris?

• Physical barriers to contain lead dust?

• Has a disposable polyethylene ground sheet been placed below the work area?

• Does the sheeting extend to two metres from the base of the building and an additional metre for each storey?

• Are there provisions made to hold the sheeting in place?

• Are systems in place to ensure the maintenance of the ground sheet? (tear)

• Is there a tarpaulin or plastic sheeting enclosure to prevent dust from travelling to neighbouring properties?

• Is a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter available for particulate removal?

• What other systems are in place to prevent lead dust and debris from spreading to the immediate area?

Have the following preparation precautions been taken:

• Have windows, doors, ventilators and other openings including eaves been adequately sealed?

Are the following systems in place to ensure workplace health and safety of workers:

• Project surveillance by a responsible person?

• Are there documented policies and procedures regarding implemented control measures and safe systems of work?

• Is water from wet processing collected and not disposed of to the sewer or stormwater outlet?

• Is all process water handled as hazardous waste?

Are the following decontamination systems in place:

• Frequent removal of accumulated debris to prevent spreading from the immediate work area?

• Provision of a HEPA vacuum cleaner for removing the remaining dust and particles from the surrounding area?

• Systems to wet wash the surrounding area with sugar soap solution and rinsing with clean water?

• Disposal of the polyethylene sheeting or covers, or washing them down, and collecting the residue for safe disposal?

• Removal of paint dust from ledges, windows and walls with a damp cloth, and disposing of the cloth along with the paint debris?

• Is equipment cleaned thoroughly of dust and paint fragments before it leaves the work area?

What PPE is provided?

• disposable overshoes, overalls and head covering for workers working within the work area

• wet sanding - half face respirator with P2 particulate filter

• chemical stripping - half face respirator with filter for organic vapours

• wet hand sanding - half face respirator with P2 particulate filter

• low temperature heat processes - half face respirator with P2 particulate filter

• dry power sanding with HEPA vacuum attachment sanding - half face respirator with P2 particulate filter

Is appropriate PPE provided?

Are contaminated overalls contained in a clean polyethylene bag before being removed from the work area?

Are boots and gloves cleaned with a HEPA vacuum cleaner and then washed or wet wiped at the end of each working day?

Are systems in place to ensure workers use PPE when exposed to lead?

Is there a PPE maintenance program in place?

Has atmospheric monitoring been conducted?

Have monitoring results been recorded?

Is lead exposure less than the National Exposure for lead?

Is health surveillance conducted?

Does a designated doctor conduct health surveillance?

Is health surveillance conducted as per Section 237 (1) to (10) of the Regulation?

Has Workplace Health and Safety Queensland been notified, in the approved form of the summary of health surveillance reports?

Has the employer provided information and training about lead to workers who may be exposed to lead?

Are training records kept?

Are procedures in place for the final clean-up of lead dust paint?

Is equipment as listed provided for clean-up procedures:

• plastic work gloves

• spray bottle with water

• sugar soap cleaning solutions (tri-sodium phosphate), mixed in the ratio of at least 25 gm of 5% tri-sodium phosphate to each 5L of hot water

• disposal of cleaning items, such as lint-free towels, rags, sponges and mops

• HEPA filter vacuum cleaner

Will there be any clearance testing done to determine if there has been a significant impact on the property and surrounding areas from the work and if the building is safe for normal use?

Has the local council been contacted to find out how to dispose of lead waste?