TABLE 2.
Deficiencies contributing to elevated blood lead levels identified during the investigation of an indoor firing range — CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, California, 2013
| Deficiency type | Problem observed |
|---|---|
| Engineering control deficiencies | |
| Range ventilation system | Airflow at the firing line contained regions of backflow, causing lead to be carried back into the shooter’s breathing zone instead of downrange. The range air supply diffusers produced turbulent jets of air, creating uneven air distribution at the firing line. The downrange airflow was not evenly distributed and did not have the minimum recommended airflow of 30 ft/min (15 cm/sec). The range filters did not have a minimum efficiency reporting value of 18 or 19, so contaminated air was released outside. The range filters did not have side and face gaskets to prevent air from bypassing the filter; this allowed lead-contaminated air to be distributed to other areas served by the ventilation system. |
| Building ventilation system | Openings in the wall between the firing range and the rest of the building allowed lead to be circulated throughout the building. |
| Housekeeping deficiencies | |
| Range housekeeping | Carpet and porous materials were present inside the shooting range. Uniforms worn by employees who cleaned the range were reused, laundered infrequently, and stored in an open storage room. |
| Building housekeeping | Lead was detected on carpets, desks, tables, counters, eating surfaces, and ventilation supply and return air ducts outside the range. It was also detected inside the clean clothing bins and on towels that had been laundered by a commercial launderer. Lead was detected on employees’ shoes as they prepared to leave work. No showering facilities were available for employees. Employees’ hands and street clothes were contaminated with lead. |
| Medical surveillance deficiencies | |
| Employees | No employees had undergone the required medical surveillance. The physician who evaluated employees to determine their fitness to wear a respirator did not complete the required forms properly. |