Cal/OSHA Stricter Lead Exposure Standards (Jan. 2025)
Summary: California substantially lowered the lead PEL (to ~10 µg/m³ TWA) and tightened action levels and medical/cleaning requirements. Cal/OSHA lowered the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead in general industry: from 50 µg/m³ to 10 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA). The action level also dropped from 30 µg/m³ to 2 µg/m³. Source: Cal/OSHA
Cal/OSHA clarifications on construction abrasive blasting and lead (special limits & controls) (Clarifications released May 2025)
Summary: Cal/OSHA issued clarifications on lead limits for abrasive blasting, time limits, and respiratory protection specifics (e.g., interim limits for abrasive blasting until 2030). Source: Cal DIR
Regulation requires employers to perform exposure assessments for employees who may be exposed to lead on the worksite, to determine their employees’ actual exposure. This includes employees who conduct dry abrasive blasting. Until the employer performs the assessment and determines actual employee exposure, the maximum amount of time an employee can conduct dry abrasive blasting is limited to five hours per day, and after January 1, 2030, the amount of time must be limited to 2 hours per day.