Lead

Overview

Lead is a soft metal that has many uses, but it is also a strong poison that can make you sick and kill you. It is possible to get lead into your body by breathing or swallowing lead dust and lead fumes. Lead dust can also get on your hands and face or in your food, and drinks. When lead gets into your body, it can damage your nerves, stomach, intestines, kidneys, reproductive functions, and red blood cells. You can be exposed to lead for years and not have any symptoms. But the more you are exposed, the greater your risk of showing symptoms and being poisoned.

All available content

Publications

Brochures/Guides
- Lead in construction quick guide
  Helps small business owners understand and comply with the requirements of Oregon OSHA’s lead rule for the construction industry, 1926.62.
  English Order printed copy 08/13/2020
Fact sheets
- Lead in construction
  Covers the key requirements in 1926.62, Oregon OSHA's lead rule for the construction industry.
  English 06/15/2018
Quick facts
- ¡No lleve el polvo de plomo a su casa!
  Don’t take lead dust home!
  Algunos tipos de trabajo producen humo o polvo de plomo. Su patron tiene que cumplir con leyes específicas para protegerle contra el envenenamiento. Aprenda cómo protegerse contra el plomo en el trabajo. - | - Some kinds of work make lead dust or fumes and your employer must follow special laws to protect you from lead poisoning. Learn about lead in the workplace and how to protect yourself from lead on the job.
  Spanish 01/24/2017
- El plomo y el envenenamiento por plomo
  Lead and lead poisoning
  Datos Rápidos para trabajadores - Describe los efectos y síntomas de envenenamiento por plomo y las maneras más comunes en las que usted puede estar expuesto al plomo en el trabajo. | Quick Facts for employees - Describes the effects and symptoms of lead poisoning, and the most common ways you can be exposed to lead at work.
  Spanish 08/25/2016
References
- Rules with requirements
  We get many calls and emails from employers asking the same question. It begins: “Which of your rules have requirements for…” You can finish the sentence with words like “recordkeeping,” “employee training,” and “written documents.” To answer those questions, we’ve organized these rules requirements into a filterable, sortable, searchable table.
  English 05/10/2019

Education and training

Rules and rule-related

Advisory group

Permissible Exposure Limits

Lead PEL

Final Rules
- Division 2, Subdivision Z, 1910-1025, Lead
  3-2019 Word version
- Division 3, Subdivision D, Occupational Health and Environmental Controls
  3-2019 Word version
- Division 4, Subdivision Z, Chemical/Toxins
  Administrative Order 4-2022 Word version
Interpretations
- Clarification of lead standard
  06/30/1998
- Exposure to lead, arsenic and hydrocarbons
  01/08/1998
- Lead in construction: observer respirator requirements
  11/14/1994
Program Directives
- Lead: Brass and Bronze Ingot Manufacturing Industry Compliance Requirements
  Purpose: This instruction changes compliance requirements and compliance dates for enforcement of the engineering and work practice controls provisions of the Lead Standard (29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)) in the brass and bronze ingot manufacturing industry.
  A-230 01/30/2001
- Lead: Exposures in Construction
  Purpose: This instruction provides uniform inspection and compliance guidance for lead exposure in construction, 1926.62, Lead, effective in Oregon on November 1, 1993.
  A-208 06/07/2005
- Lead: Guidance for Prophylactic Chelation
  Purpose: To transmit instructions to compliance officers concerning the appropriate action to be taken with regard to evidence of prophylactic chelation therapy among lead exposed workers.
  A-010 05/08/2000
- National Emphasis Program (NEP): Lead in general industry and construction
  Purpose: This instruction describes policies and procedures for implementing a national emphasis program (NEP) to reduce occupational exposures to lead in accordance with the provisions of the Field Information Reference Manual (FIRM).
  A-273 06/29/2017
- Welding, Cutting, or Heating Metals Coated with Lead Based Paint
  Purpose: This directive explains the requirements imposed by rules 1926.353(c)(1) through 1926.354 when welding, cutting, or heating is performed in an enclosed space on metals coated with lead-bearing paint.
  A-009 06/06/2000