View Rule

OSHA is considering rulemaking to revise its standards for occupational exposure to lead. OSHA lead standards provide medical removal levels of 60 µg/dL in general industry, 50 µg/dL in construction and the return of the employee to former job status at a blood lead level (BLL) below 40 µg/dL. Recent medical findings indicate that lower blood lead levels in adults can result in adverse health effects including hypertension, cognitive dysfunction, and effects on renal function and reproductive systems. OSHA is seeking input on reducing the current BLL triggers in the medical surveillance and medical removal protection provisions of the general industry and construction standards for lead, and about how current ancillary provisions in the lead standards can be modified to reduce worker BLLs in industries and occupations where elevated exposure to lead continues to occur.  OSHA is seeking this input from the public to help the agency identify possible areas of the lead standards for revision to improve protection of workers in industries and occupations where preventable exposure to lead continues to occur.