Workers exposed to unsafe levels of lead at a Washington gun range

June 12, 2013 (Press-News.org) Workers exposed to unsafe levels of lead at a Washington gun range

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A Washington gun shop and a construction contractor working on remodeling the shop have been fined for exposing their workers to toxic lead. The incident is said to be one of the largest in recent history, both in terms of the number of people exposed and the severity of their exposure, and it demonstrates how workers may suffer injury or illness on the job.

The Seattle Times reports that the exposure happened in September and November of 2012 when workers cleared lead bullet fragments from a sand berm in a process known as "mining" and built a second floor on the indoor gun range. Public Health -- Seattle & King County reported that 47 workers had elevated levels of lead in their blood, and 24 workers reported symptoms of lead poisoning, including vomiting and cramps, according to the Seattle Times. Some children and spouses of the workers even had elevated levels of lead in their blood from secondary exposure that occurred when the workers returned home with lead dust on their clothing.

The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries fined the gun range $23,480 for 17 health and safety violations and fined the construction contractor $10,750 for nine violations relating to lead exposure. Some of the violations included:
-Failure to adequately monitor air conditions
-Failure to ensure that workers used properly fitted respirators
-Failure to regularly test exposed workers' blood levels
-Using a broom instead of a vacuum to pick up bullets and lead dust

Exposure to lead can cause serious health problems, and it can be fatal at high levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, children under age 6 are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning, but it also can cause severe illness in adults.

The NIH reports that overexposure to lead can lead to health problems such as:
-Hearing problems
-Kidney damage
-Anemia
-Headaches
-Abdominal pain and cramping
-Seizures

Further, work in certain industries has been associated with a higher risk of lead poisoning. The Washington Department of Labor & Industries reports that people who work in lead production or smelting, machinery and auto repair, remodeling and demolition, and at gun ranges or in ceramic glaze mixing are particularly at risk for lead exposure. Accordingly, safety precautions must be taken to protect these workers.

If you have been exposed to lead at your workplace or have experienced symptoms of lead poisoning, it is important to seek medical care immediately. Then contact a workers' compensation attorney to learn more about making a workers' compensation claim for your illness.