Occupational Lead Program recommends health-based improvements to OSHA Lead Standards, by Peggy Hall, EVP, PHCC of California
Submitted by PHCCcali_admin on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 11:46am
Every year, workers in California are poisoned by lead at work. The OSHA lead standards require employers to take steps to protect their workers from lead hazards on the job; however, these standards are based on lead toxicity information that is now over 30 years old. Current medical information clearly demonstrates harmful effects of chronic and low-level exposures to lead in adults, levels well below those currently allowed by the standards.
The CDPH Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OLPPP) reviewed the recent scientific information and made health-based recommendations to Cal/OSHA for revising the General Industry and Construction Lead Standards for the protection of workers who are exposed to lead on the job. In response, Cal/OSHA has convened an Advisory Committee to look at revising the standards.
OLPPP’s proposed revisions to Cal/OSHA’s lead standards are available below.
CDPH/OLPPP Recommendations for Cal/OSHA Lead Standard Revisions
CDPH/OLPPP Recommendations for Cal/OSHA Lead Standard Revisions
- General Industry Lead Standard -- Summary of Recommended Changes (PDF)
- Lead in Construction Standard – Summary of Recommended Changes (PDF)
For the full language of the regulations with tracked changes
- Current General Industry Lead Standard with Proposed Revisions (PDF)
- Current Lead in Construction Standard with Proposed Revisions (PDF)
For more information on newly recognized hazards of lead in adults/workers
- Indecent Exposure: Lead Puts Workers and Families at Risk (PDF) – UC Berkeley Health Research for Action, 2009
- New Health Dangers from Lead (PDF)– 2011 OLPPP newsletter and materials order form
For more information on our work in this area, seeThe Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
For information about the Cal/OSHA Lead Standards Advisory Committee meetings, including dates, location, agenda, and related materials, visit http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/DoshReg/5198Meetings.htm.
