Oakland, CA – Cal/OSHA has clarified its lead exposure prevention rules for the construction industry, specifically focusing on employers’ responsibilities for protecting workers performing dry abrasive blasting. These updates align with amended lead standards that went into effect on January 1, 2025, under Title 8, Section 1532.1 of the California Code of Regulations.
Key Rule: Exposure Assessment Required
Employers must now perform exposure assessments for any employee who may be exposed to lead on a worksite. This requirement includes workers engaged in dry abrasive blasting. Until the assessment is completed, Cal/OSHA limits abrasive blasting to:
- 5 hours per day through 2029
- 2 hours per day starting January 1, 2030
After an employer completes the required exposure assessment, blasting time limits no longer apply. However, employers must still ensure employee exposure stays below the permissible exposure limit (PEL), accounting for respirator protection.
Exposure Limits and Respirator Protection
The PEL for lead exposure during abrasive blasting is:
- 25 µg/m³ until January 1, 2030
- 10 µg/m³ starting January 1, 2030
For example, if employees properly use respirators with an assigned protection factor (APF) of 1,000, they can work in environments with airborne lead concentrations of:
- Up to 25,000 µg/m³ through 2029
- Up to 10,000 µg/m³ starting in 2030
Respirator Use and Assigned Protection Factors
Cal/OSHA emphasizes that APFs are only valid when employers follow proper respiratory protection protocols, including training and fit testing, as outlined in Section 5144. The agency has provided a full Table 1 of APFs to guide employers in choosing compliant respiratory equipment.
Updated Lead Standards and Employer Resources
Cal/OSHA’s amended lead standards were approved on February 15, 2024, and apply to both the construction (Section 1532.1) and general industries (Section 5198). New employer resources include:
- Lead in Construction Guide for Employers
- Executive summaries, fact sheets, and a bilingual consultation hotline at 833-579-0927
These updates reflect Cal/OSHA’s continued commitment to protecting workers from lead hazards, especially in high-risk industries such as construction.
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