Page 68 - Highway Engineering Handbook Building and Rehabilitating the Infrastructure

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES 51

1.5.8 Specifications Guidelines
Specifications for scraping or blasting lead-based paint from structures should be written
with worker safety and environmental issues in mind, so that qualified contractors who can
adhere to a high level of quality and compliance are selected for the project. These specifi-
cations should
• Describe the extent of surface preparation and the degree of containment required and let
the contractor propose how to accomplish this.
• Identify key health and safety and environmental regulations to ensure that the con-
tractor is aware of these regulations and plans compliance strategies in the bid.
• Clearly state that the paint to be removed is lead based. The highway department should
have had the paint tested prior to contract bid if there is any doubt whether the paint is
lead based. The cost differential is too great to make the assumption or let a contract with
the lead concentration factor as an unknown.
• Specify how the waste is to be treated, tested, handled, and disposed of.
• Identify the worker protection standards and requirements that the contractor’s health and
safety plan must meet at a minimum.

1.5.9 Management of Industrial Lead-Based Paint
Removal Projects
The following steps have been developed for managing lead-based paint removal projects
based on procedures in Trimbler’s Industrial Lead Paint Removal Handbook.

Initial Project Evaluation. In the initial project evaluation, the owner or specifier must
determine whether the coating contains lead-based paint either by reviewing earlier plans
and specifications for the structure or by sampling and analysis.
Prebid Assessment of Paint Removal Methods and Debris Generated. The owner or
specifiers should estimate how much waste will be generated by methods evaluated to be
appropriate to the size and circumstances of the project. Designing a testing program to
evaluate the toxicity of waste generated may be appropriate for large paint removal
projects.
Understanding the Regulations before Preparing the Specifications. The regulations
regarding air quality, water quality, soil cleanup, unauthorized releases, worker protection,
and hazardous waste generators should be thoroughly understood. How these regulations
are enforced should be discussed with both state and local officials.

Preparing the Project Specifications. Both painting and lead removal requirements
should be addressed in the specifications. These should identify the methods for surface
preparation and the coating system to be applied. The relevant regulations, the degree of
containment, and the evaluation of performance criteria should all be specified.

Developing a Worker Protection Plan. Prior to start-up, the contractor should provide
a worker safety plan that addresses exposure monitoring, the compliance program, the
respiratory protection program, personal protective equipment, housekeeping issues,
hygiene facilities and procedures, medical surveillance, employee removal for exposure