Regardless of whether your shooting range employs a closed-loop or a direct exhaust ventilation filter, federal regulations require the use of a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The use of these filters is the single best way to capture airborne lead dust particles and prevent the particles from harming range users or employees. High-quality lead-dust filters work by pulling in the air of your firing range and collecting the heavier lead dust. This step keeps it from circulating in your air. The benefits of this filtration method are huge for a firing range. Mostly, it can ensure that the risk of lead poisoning is minimized. This step can help make it a safer and better place to visit. Installing One in A Firing Range There are several steps you need to take when installing this kind of filter in a firing range. First, assess the cubic feet of your firing range. Do this by measuring the length, width, and height of the room. Multiple these together to get your cubic footage. Now, seek out a filter that is strong enough to meet this demand. The filtering capacity should be printed on the filter box. Now, it is important to install it near where you fire the guns. This step is crucial because it will capture a majority of the lead dust that originates when you fire the gun. It is also a good idea to install an air-input line from the outside. This helps to draw in fresh air and keeps your filter running smoothly. However, incorrectly changing these filters can actually increase employee lead exposure levels. Proper care is of the utmost importance when changing HEPA filters in any firing range. Tips to Reduce Lead Dust Contamination in Your Indoor Firing Range By now, the hazards of lead exposure are well documented. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) all have strict guidelines for how lead should be handled and disposed of, due to the potentially harmful health effects caused by being exposed to too much lead. Crackdowns in recent years have led to a few firing ranges closing their doors; however, with responsible maintenance, indoor firing ranges can mitigate the lead dust that contaminates the range, reducing exposure hazards for employees and shooters alike. To reduce lead dust exposure, you should pay close attention to the following tips:
Safety Measures for Changing HEPA Filters Ultimately, you should ensure you follow manufacturer recommendations when changing your HEPA air filters, or the upstream filters used in a closed-loop system. Some additional things to keep in mind are:
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), filters containing lead should always be changed out by personnel who are properly trained in both filter removal and lead safety. Recognize that changing filters greatly increases a worker’s exposure to toxic lead particles and take the appropriate safety measures. Are You Improperly Managing Your Firing Range Filters and Other Waste? Improperly managed range waste such as filters, debris, soil or other backstop material like rubber, along with incorrectly collected, containerized and stored lead bullets or shot can trigger US EPA RCRA hazardous waste requirements and obligations for a range. Range owners or managers interested in the new MT2 Firing Range Services Filter Treatment Technology service are encouraged to contact us today to save 50% (typically $10,000/yr.) by Never Generating Hazardous Waste, Guaranteed! Contact us today.
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May 2019
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