BY: ED STUBER
A reminder for all Health and Safety professionals working in California: significant updates to the OSHA lead standard went into effect this January, and it’s critical to ensure your workplace programs are up to date. These changes lower both exposure thresholds and action levels, requiring a more proactive approach to lead monitoring, medical surveillance, and worker protection.
Here’s a snapshot of what’s changed and how SGS can help you stay compliant:
Key Changes to the Cal/OSHA Lead Standard
- Lower Airborne Lead Exposure Limits:
The new permissible exposure limit (PEL) is now 10 µg/m³, a significant reduction from the federal OSHA limit of 50 µg/m³.
The Cal/OSHA action level is now 2 µg/m³, compared to 25 µg/m³ under federal OSHA.
- Enhanced Medical Surveillance Requirements:
Workers with a Blood Lead Level (BLL) of 10 µg/dL or higher now require more frequent testing and direct communication of results and follow-up care between medical providers and employees.
- Updated Medical Removal Protection (MRP) Provisions:
Employees must be removed from exposure if their BLL reaches or exceeds 20 µg/dL, or if their average BLL is ≥20 µg/dL over a six-month period.
- Expanded Requirements for Hygiene, Housekeeping, and Training:
Employers must adopt more rigorous protocols to reduce lead dust accumulation and provide comprehensive employee training on lead hazards and safe work practices.
Stay Ahead of Compliance Requirements
With stricter exposure limits and more robust monitoring protocols, now is the time to assess your industrial hygiene programs and ensure you’re aligned with the new standard. SGS provides the technical expertise, analytical precision, and regulatory knowledge to support your compliance strategy from sampling through analysis and interpretation. Our AIHA LAP, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory in Carson, California offers precise and reliable lead testing services using ICP-OES and mass spectrometry (MS) technologies.
Whether you’re updating your sampling strategy or implementing a new monitoring program, SGS provides the technical expertise and analytical capabilities to support your compliance efforts.
Contact our award-winning Client Service Representatives in a number of different ways:
- Call toll-free or text in real-time at +1 888 432 5227
- Email ehs.clientcare@sgs.com
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