Occupational Health Watch: September 2011

Occupational Lead Program Recommends Health-Based Improvements to OSHA Lead Standards

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 on the OLPPP website.

For more information on our work in this area, see The Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Visit the Cal/OSHA Lead Standards Advisory Committee website for more information on meetings, including dates, location, agenda, and related materials.

Resources

Recommendations for Improving the Cal/OSHA Lead Standards - OLPPP web page

Cal/OSHA Lead Standards Advisory Committee - website

Email Occupational Health Watch (OHW@cdph.ca.gov) with feedback or change of address.