Search results
If an employee is exposed to lead for more than 8 hours in any work day, the permissible exposure limit, as a time weighted average (TWA) for that day, shall be reduced according to the following formula: Maximum permissible limit (in µg/m 3) = 400 ÷ hours worked in the day.
- Medical Surveillance Guidelines
3. Employees removed from exposure to lead because of an...
- Lead
The lead standards establish a permissible exposure limit...
- Table Z-1
(m) See Table Z-3 for the exposure limit for any operations...
- Medical Surveillance Guidelines
- Overview
- Information For Employers
On This Page
•Lead Exposure Limits
•Protect Your Workers From Lead
•Available Resources To Protect Your Workers From Lead
Lead Exposure Limits
Workplace exposure limits are meant to protect workers from hazardous exposures in the workplace. Exposure limits incorporate safety margins to ensure that workers won’t be overexposed to hazardous chemicals or materials. Employers must ensure exposure limits are not exceeded. NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) A time-weighted average (TWA) of 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) over an 8-hour workshift. OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) •OSHA’s PEL states lead exposure cannot be greater than 50 µg/m3 as a TWA over an 8-hour workshift. •If working shifts longer than 8 hours, the exposure limit is reduced depending on the number of hours worked using the equation PEL = 400/hours worked. For example, The PEL for a 10-hour workshift (400/10) would be 40 µg/m3 The PEL for a 12-hour workshift: (400/12) would be 33.3 µg/m3 The Action Level for lead in general industry and the construction industry is a TWA of 30 µg/m3 over an 8-hour workshift. At this level, an employer must begin specific compliance activities, including blood lead level testing for exposed workers. OSHA’s lead standards also include medical surveillance, exposure monitoring, and hygiene facilities and practices that are critical in preventing lead exposure and elevated blood lead levels. OSHA Lead Standards •Safety and Health Topics: Lead •Lead Standards: General Industry •Safety and Health Regulations for Construction: Lead
Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) help determine if lead is in a chemical.
Employers must keep SDSs for each chemical used in the workplace. SDSs can be acquired from the chemical manufacturer. Learn more about the format and contents of Safety Data Sheets. Employers and safety professionals should examine the work area and task(s) workers perform to determine if work materials and equipment contain lead. Review Safety Data Sheets or test to determine if lead is present. If lead is present, use the hierarchy of controls to figure out the most effective way(s) to control exposures. The following steps in the hierarchy of controls are listed in order of the most effective to least effective ways to reduce lead exposure: Image by NIOSH 1.Eliminate the lead source (physically remove the lead source from the workplace). Where possible, remove lead-containing materials or equipment from the process. 2.Substitute the lead source with a material that is less toxic or has a lower lead content. For example, use lead-free bullets in place of leaded bullets or lead-free solder if it is not possible to remove the source completely. 3.Engineering Controls ensure that the work area or equipment is designed to keep lead away from the worker. Examples include enclosing or isolating the lead emission source or using local exhaust ventilation to draw airborne lead away from the employee’s work area. For engineering controls to be effective, the control must be maintained and operated properly. 4.Administrative Controls modify the way people work.
Hand washing with soap and water is not effective at removing lead residue from hands.
1.Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be provided to workers if the other controls methods are insufficient or while better control methods are being implemented. •PPE may include eye protection, gloves, boots, coveralls, and respiratory protection. •Employers should also provide methods to clean or dispose of contaminated PPE.
People also ask
What is a lead exposure limit (PEL)?
What is a permissible exposure limit?
What is a permissible exposure limit (PEL)?
What is the exposure limit for lead in construction industry?
Upon completion of this section, you will be able to Describe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) reference value for lead in children’s blood, Describe the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for lead in workplace air, Describe the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) drinking water regulation for lead ...
3. Employees removed from exposure to lead because of an elevated blood lead level: Every 1 month: Every 1 month: Every 1 month: Every 1 month: Every 1 month. C. Permissible airborne exposure limit for workers removed from work due to an elevated blood lead level (without regard to respirator protection) 100 µg/m 3 8 hr TWA: 50 µg/m 3 8 hr ...
Dec 3, 2012 · Permissible Exposure Limit. The lead standard requires employers to ensure that no employee is exposed above the PEL. In 1971, OSHA set the initial PEL for lead at 200 μg/m 3 as an 8-hour TWA. The PEL was based on American National Standards Institute consensus standard z37.11-1969.
