Anyone work at an indoor range? Question about lead levels.
- Thread starter carlrodd
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I'm not entirely sure what you're wanting. It could be quite safe to quite dangerous depending on how smart you and your employer are about it.
Here's an osha download that might get you started http://www.rangeinfo.org/resource_library/facility_mngmnt/environment/Lead-OSHA.pdf Be safe.
Here's an osha download that might get you started http://www.rangeinfo.org/resource_library/facility_mngmnt/environment/Lead-OSHA.pdf Be safe.
armoredman
Member
I worked part time and full time at an indoor range, one very poorly designed, I might add. We wore the full bunny suits with OSHA mandated respirator, (which I still have), when working with lead. We had lead sticks every 6 months. I forget what the bad levels were, but mine went up very slightly in the 1.5 years I had working there. Also, the lead you get at the range CAN be flushed away over time. One guy had a high level, (didn't like his respirator...), so was banned from the range for 6 months. That's the best perk of the job, so we made darn sure to never let OUR levels get high!
BTW, that poorly designed, badly ventilated range was closed, stripped, and rebuilt into the much more modern, safe, and clean Marksman II, here in Tucson, AZ.
BTW, that poorly designed, badly ventilated range was closed, stripped, and rebuilt into the much more modern, safe, and clean Marksman II, here in Tucson, AZ.
OBXMIKE
Member
Local range I shoot at frequently just had a clean up day to empty the trap....they hauled out almost 10,000 lbs of lead! I had no idea they let them go that long before cleaning them out. Scary.
Yes.
Without some simple precautions you can get elevated blood lead levels that can go very high.
Smart range operators have a lead or scrap recycler come in and pay the range to clean the traps and collect the brass. This removes the exposure potential from range employees and frees the range operator of a lot of liability and regulatory responsibility.
If part of your duties involves cleaning the range do not use a vacuum cleaner that isn't a commercial HEPA type. Do not dry sweep. Wear coveralls, a hat and shoes you can chage out of. Wash hands and face with cool soapy water. Best if you use a disposable tyvek with booties and a hood.
Without some simple precautions you can get elevated blood lead levels that can go very high.
Smart range operators have a lead or scrap recycler come in and pay the range to clean the traps and collect the brass. This removes the exposure potential from range employees and frees the range operator of a lot of liability and regulatory responsibility.
If part of your duties involves cleaning the range do not use a vacuum cleaner that isn't a commercial HEPA type. Do not dry sweep. Wear coveralls, a hat and shoes you can chage out of. Wash hands and face with cool soapy water. Best if you use a disposable tyvek with booties and a hood.
I shoot at an indoor range that is not very well ventilated.
most of us shot 1-2 times a week for about 3 hours at a time
A few of us got our lead levels tested and the results were in the 30's
low-to no exposure is 3-6
slight exposure 9-15
"acceptable" exposure from people who work around lead is 25 or less
We started wearing masks and shot cleaner(total jacketed) ammo) and many of us got our numbers down to around 15-18.
Just check your levels every 3 months and take precautions
most of us shot 1-2 times a week for about 3 hours at a time
A few of us got our lead levels tested and the results were in the 30's
low-to no exposure is 3-6
slight exposure 9-15
"acceptable" exposure from people who work around lead is 25 or less
We started wearing masks and shot cleaner(total jacketed) ammo) and many of us got our numbers down to around 15-18.
Just check your levels every 3 months and take precautions
Desk Jockey
Member
Everyone should be so lucky as to have a range like this available to them.
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