Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1926.62. This

program is essential to minimize worker risk

of lead exposure. Construction projects vary

in their scope and potential for exposing

workers to lead and other hazards. Many

projects involve only limited exposure, such

as the removal of paint from a few interior

residential surfaces, while others may involve

substantial exposures. Employers must be in

compliance with OSHA’s lead standard at all

times. A copy of the standard and a brochure

— Lead in Construction (OSHA 3142) —

describing how to comply with it, are available from OSHA Publications, P.O. Box

37535, Washington, D.C. 20013-7535, (202)

693-1888(phone), or (202) 693-2498(fax); or

visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.

Major Elements of OSHA’s Lead

Standard

• A permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50

micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air,

as averaged over an 8-hour period.

• Requirements that employers use engineering controls and work practices, where

feasible, to reduce worker exposure.

• Requirements that employees observe

good personal hygiene practices, such as

washing hands before eating and taking a

shower before leaving the worksite.

• Requirements that employees be provided

with protective clothing and, where necessary, with respiratory protection accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.

How You Can Become Exposed to Lead

Lead is an ingredient in thousands of products widely used throughout industry, including lead-based paints, lead solder, electrical

fittings and conduits, tank linings, plumbing

fixtures, and many metal alloys. Although

many uses of lead have been banned, leadbased paints continue to be used on bridges,

railways, ships, and other steel structures

because of its rust- and corrosion-inhibiting

properties. Also, many homes were painted

with lead-containing paints. Significant lead

exposures can also occur when paint is

removed from surfaces previously covered

with lead-based paint.

Operations that can generate lead 

dust and fumes include:

• Demolition of structures;

• Flame-torch cutting;

• Welding;

• Use of heat guns, sanders, scrapers, or

grinders to remove lead paint; and

• Abrasive blasting of steel structures

OSHA has regulations governing construction worker exposure to lead. Employers of

construction workers engaged in the repair,

renovation, removal, demolition, and salvage

of flood-damaged structures and materials

are responsible for the development and

implementation of a worker protection program in accordance with Title 29 Code of

FactSheet

Protecting Workers from Lead Hazards

Cleaning up after a flood requires hundreds of workers to renovate and repair, or

tear down and dispose of, damaged or destroyed structures and materials. Repair,

renovation and demolition operations often generate dangerous airborne concentrations of lead, a metal that can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys,

blood forming organs, and reproductive system if inhaled or ingested in dangerous quantities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has

developed regulations designed to protect workers involved in construction 

activities from the hazards of lead exposure.
• A requirement that employees exposed to

high levels of lead be enrolled in a medical

surveillance program. 

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

Additional Information

For more information on this, and other

health-related issues impacting workers, visit

OSHA’s Web site at www.osha.gov.

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov

(800) 321-OSHA

For more complete information:

DSTM 9/2005