Chronic exposure to heavy metals, particularly lead and cadmium, presents significant occupational health hazards that can severely impact worker health.
Commonly found in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and recycling, these toxic metals can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact.
Lead exposure remains especially concerning due to its neurotoxic effects, leading to developmental impairments and long-term cognitive deficits. Even worse, it most significantly affects those most vulnerable, particularly children and pregnant women. Cadmium primarily affects the kidneys and bones, resulting in serious health complications over time.
Both metals accumulate in the body over time, increasing the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular issues and kidney damage.
In a recent investigation, OSHA found that one recycling company, based in Janesville, Wisconsin, has continued to expose its workers to hazardous levels of lead and cadmium. This alarming discovery follows a previous citation for similar violations just a year earlier, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding workplace safety in the recycling industry.
Here, we’ll break down what went wrong, and offer some useful tips to help protect workers from adverse effects of lead and cadmium exposure.
Related Article: Heavy Metal Testing Should Not Be Taken Lightly.
Related Article: Keep Your Worksite Cadmium-Proof with this Checklist.
Background of the Investigation
The follow-up inspection conducted in April 2024 was prompted by repeated concerns surrounding employee safety while dismantling cathode ray tubes from outdated televisions. These components are known to contain toxic metals, which pose significant health risks to workers if not managed properly.
Despite receiving citations for serious violations in April 2023, the company failed to implement necessary changes to protect its employees.
According to OSHA Area Director Chad Greenwood, chronic exposure to lead and cadmium can lead to severe health issues affecting the blood-forming, nervous, urinary, and reproductive systems. This underscores the critical need for similar companies to prioritize worker safety through effective engineering controls, rather than relying solely on personal protective equipment (PPE).
Violations and Penalties for Lead and Cadmium Exposure
OSHA’s findings resulted in the company being cited for eight violations, including two repeat serious violations and one other-than-serious violation.
The total proposed penalties amount to $202,820. The specific areas of non-compliance identified by OSHA include:
Biological Monitoring: The company failed to conduct biological monitoring of employees for overexposure every six months.
Exposure Sampling: They did not collect samples for representative full-shift exposures to both lead and cadmium.
Contaminated Clothing: Workers were not required to remove protective clothing contaminated with lead and cadmium at the end of their shifts.
Showering Protocols: Employees exposed to these toxic metals were not mandated to shower after their shifts.
Regulation Area Establishment: There was no designated regulation area established to minimize contamination spread when employees were exposed above permissible limits.
Employee Training: The company neglected to train employees on the additive effects of lead and cadmium.
These violations highlight a systemic failure within the company to address known hazards effectively.
Importance of Engineering Controls
OSHA emphasizes that engineering controls are essential for reducing employee exposure to hazardous air contaminants. Personal protective equipment should be considered a last line of defense rather than the primary means of protection.
Effective engineering controls may include improved ventilation systems, better containment methods for hazardous materials, and regular maintenance of equipment used in recycling processes.
By focusing on these proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of exposure and enhance overall workplace safety. It is crucial for organizations in industries dealing with toxic materials to adopt a culture of safety that prioritizes health over productivity.
Company Response and Next Steps
This company has 15 business days from the receipt of citations and penalties to either comply with OSHAs findings, request an informal conference with the area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. This period is critical for the company as it navigates its obligations under federal workplace safety regulations.
This ongoing situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of compliance with OSHA standards. Companies must take proactive steps to ensure that their operations do not endanger their employees’ health.
Broader Implications for Occupational Health
Unfortunately, the case of this recycling company is not isolated. It reflects broader challenges within the recycling industry regarding occupational health and safety. As electronic waste continues to grow, so does the potential for worker exposure to hazardous substances like lead and cadmium.
OSHA’s National Emphasis Program on Lead aims to address these concerns by focusing resources on industries where workers are at risk from lead exposure. This program highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that include regular inspections, employee training programs, and strict enforcement of safety regulations.
- See CDC’s report on Metal Exposures in an Electronic Scrap Recycling Facility.
- See OSHAs publication on Green Hazard Jobs- Recycling: Waste Management and Recycling.
- See OSHAs standards on Cadmium and Lead.
Key Takeaways
Given that even low levels of exposure to both metals can pose significant health risks, it’s crucial for workplaces to implement stringent safety measures to mitigate these hazards and protect workers’ health.
Maintaining a safe work environment is paramount in industries handling hazardous materials. As an employer responsible for the safety of your team, you’ll want to prioritize engineering controls over reliance on PPE alone.
By doing so, you can protect their workforce from serious health risks associated with toxic metal exposure, while fostering a culture of safety that benefits everyone involved.
Stay In Compliance With Worksite Medical
In most cases, OSHA requires medical surveillance testing, and at no cost to employees.
Worksite Medical makes that program easier with mobile medical testing.
We conduct silica exam physicals, on-site respirator fit tests(including N95 masks), audiometric exams, as well as pulmonary function tests and heavy metal lab work, and much more, right on your job site. We also keep accurate, easy-to-access medical records for your convenience. You’ll keep your employees at work, and stay ahead of OSHA inspections.
With Worksite Medical, a mobile medical testing unit — we can bring all the resources of a lab to you. Our certified lab technicians can perform both qualitative and quantitative respirator tests to ensure a perfect fit.
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Give us a call at 1-844-622-8633, or complete the form below to schedule an on-site visit or to get your free quote!
