HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1987/05/26 Item 4 COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 4
// Meeting Date 5/26/87
ITEM TITLE: Resolution, Approving an agreement between the City
of Chula Vista and I.T. Corporation for cleaning and
decontaminating the Chula Vista Police Department Shooting
Range
SUBMITTED BY: Director of Personnel
Director of Public Safety
REVIEWED BY: City Manager(,�j (4/5ths Vote: Yes No X )
Due to concerns about potential employee lead exposure, the City requested
Cal/OSHA Consultation Service to perform an industial hygiene survey in the
Police Department shooting range. The survey results indicated that the
Permissible Exposure Limit (P.E.L. ) for airborne lead and lead dust from wipe
samples is exceeded during a normal qualifying shoot.
The City has taken several steps to correct lead exposure which are outlined
in this report. The final step is the cleaning and decontamination of the
range itself.
Since the City does not employ any individuals experienced in toxic waste
clean-up and removal , three qualified companies were asked to submit
proposals. I.T. Corporation was selected as the qualified company proposing
the lowest cost to perform the necessary work. The cost is $17,567.24.
Sufficient funds are in the 1986-87 Police Training budget to cover this
unanticipated expense.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution approving agreement.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: Not applicable.
DISCUSSION:
A Cal/OSHA Consultation Service industrial hygiene survey in the Police
Department shooting range, conducted in July, 1986, showed airborne lead in
excess of the Permissible Exposure Limit (P.E.L. ) during a normal qualifying
shoot. In addition, wipe samples from the surfaces of furniture in the range
were found to be excessive. The primary reason for excessive lead in the
range is due to the use of reloaded bullets, that is, bullets which are
manufactured from recycled lead bullets. The advantage of using reloaded
bullets is that they are inexpensive. The disadvantage is that they contain a
high concentration of lead dust which is difficult to ventilate out of the
range with the existing exhaust system.
Page 2, Item 4
Meeting Date 5/26/87
The City has taken three of the four steps recommended by Cal/OSHA
Consultation Service to correct lead exposure in the range. These are:
1 . Switch from reloaded ammunition to factory issued ammunition.
Factory issued ammunition is approximately three times more expensive than
reloaded ammunition; however, it contains much smaller concentrations of
lead dust. It is believed that this one step will reduce the P.E.L. below
the current maximum limit of .05 milligrams per cubic meter.
The initial and ongoing cost of implementing this action have been
accomplished through budget transfer and the normal 1987-88 budgetary
process.
2. Require range instructors to spend less time in the range with shooters
and to wear full face respirators when in the range.
It is difficult for instructors to spend less time in the range with
new Peace Officers; however, because their exposure is greatest, full
face respirators can be worn in the range when it is practical, and
removed for brief periods of actual instruction.
The City has purchased five full face respirators for the Range
Masters and they have been trained in their appropriate care and use.
3. Require those involved in emptying and cleaning the lead trap to wear a
full face respirator.
The bulk of the lead dust collects in a trap at the end of the
range. A full face respirator will protect the individual who cleans
the trap. Generally, this task is performed by a Range Master;
however, the custodial staff has received training on the care and
use of the respirators as well .
4. Clean and decontaminate the shooting range.
The cost of implementing this action is $17,567.24. The range has
not been cleaned since its construction thirteen years ago. With the
implementation of this step and step # 1 , it is anticipated that the
range will need cleaning infrequently, perhaps every 7-10 years,
however, future monitoring of lead dust will determine how often this
work must be done.
In addition to the four steps recommended by Cal/OSHA Consultation Service,
the City has installed a warning sign on the range door which states that no
eating, drinking or smoking can occur in the range and employees leaving the
range are to wash their hands.
The Range Masters have blood tests performed periodically. Blood tests are
used to assess lead absorption and are useful in detecting workplace
situations where lead exposure is uncontrolled.
Page 3, Item 4
Meeting Date 5/26/87
Two alternative plans were explored before implementing the Cal/OSHA
recommendations.
The first alternative involved the improvement or replacement of the existing
ventilation system in the range. This measure, if successful in controlling
lead levels, would still require capture and dust velocity studies to be
performed every three months. The hygienist from Cal/OSHA Consultation
Service does not recommend this step as it is generally expensive to
reconstruct an existing ventilation system and its effectiveness always
remains questionable. For this reason, this alternative plan was rejected.
The second alternative might be to utilize an outdoor range belonging to the
U.S. Border Patrol or the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
Unfortunately, these ranges are in use by other agencies most of the time and
reserving is difficult given the number of Peace Officers who must qualify
quarterly. In addition, a significant amount of overtime would have to be
paid to Officers involved in travel time and/or extra work hours as a result
of using an off-site range.
At some point in the future, the Police Department may want to explore the
feasibility of developing an outdoor range in Chula Vista; however, there are
no plans to do so at this time.
Therefore, staff believes that the logical next step is to implement # 4 of
the Cal/OSHA recommendations to have the range cleaned and decontaminated.
FISCAL IMPACT: $17,567.24 available in Account 1020-5224.
WPC 0653K
Y tip City Co 1r1oi! of
Chula Vista, California
Dated � GXj