Ohio Department of Corrections Training Academy "Gets the Lead Out" | Firing Range Safety is Top Priority

Arvada, CO, September 18, 2014 (Newswire.com) - After years of shooting at the Ohio Department of Corrections Training Academy (CTA), firing range berms were saturated with lead, which increased the likelihood of “splashback” (rounds that ricochet off lead left behind in the berm and send metal fragments back at the shooter). The more bullets you shoot, the more likely the splashback, and the greater the potential for injury to officers.

Although the CTA was not obligated to conduct range lead abatement, they chose a proactive approach to improve officer safety and mitigate potential hazards associated with lead in range soils and berms. This approach incorporated the US Environmental Protective Agency (USEPA) Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges. According to the US EPA BMPs, “the most important BMP for lead management is lead reclamation.” In addition to concerns for shooter safety, lead is a toxic material that can potentially leach into groundwater or be ingested by wildlife.

"I am very satisfied in the quality of work performed by MT2's experienced staff. They conducted their work in a very professional manner, meeting and exceeding CTA's expectations."

Jerry R Juniper, CTA Safety & Health Coordinator

“I am very satisfied in the quality of work performed by MT2’s experienced staff. They conducted their work in a very professional manner, meeting and exceeding CTA’s expectations."

Jerry R Juniper
CTA Safety & Health Coordinator

To implement firing range remediation and improvements for officer safety, CTA reached out to an experienced firm, MT2, LLC (MT2) of Colorado to conduct lead reclamation and range maintenance at the range. MT2 has been “Getting the Lead Out” since 2000; they have completed over 800 firing range projects nationwide and recovered over 11,000,000 lbs of lead. The recent tasks completed by MT2 included removal of spent lead bullets and bullet fragments to improve shooter safety and to protect the environment by preventing lead from leaving the range.

MT2’s firing range maintenance tasks included the use of its specialty lead recovery equipment and field technologies to successfully remove nearly 100,000 lbs (50 tons) of lead for recycling and restoring the range berms to meet recommended safety specifications. MT2 completed all tasks in less than two weeks, working with the CTA to provide minimal impact to the officer’s training schedule. Jerry R Juniper, CTA Safety & Health Coordinator commented “I am very satisfied in the quality of work performed by MT2’s experienced staff. They conducted their work in a very professional manner, meeting and exceeding CTA’s expectations. My recommendations for MT2 have been and will be expressed.”

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