Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Information for Workers & Employers
Lead in the Workplace
Lead poisoning continues to be a major problem in the U.S. There are many ways a person can be exposed to lead, but most adults with harmful lead levels are exposed on the job. Lead serves no useful purpose in the body, and it can cause serious and permanent health problems. Even low levels over years or decades can cause damage. That's why it is important for workers and employers to do everything they can to lower the amount of lead in the workplace.
You can find more information on how to prevent lead poisoning in the workplace below. If you have any questions about workplace lead safety, you can contact our program, the Occupational Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OLPPP): 1-866-627-1587, toll-free in California, or email OLPPP.
Industry-Specific Resources
General Industry (Non-Construction)
- Cal/OSHA's General Industry Lead Standard - Full text (PDF) - Title 8 CCR Section 5198
- Basics of a Lead Health & Safety Program (PDF) - checklist
Construction Industry
- Cal/OSHA Construction Industry Lead Standard - Full text (PDF) - Title 8 CCR Section 1532.1
- Construction Basics of a Lead Health & Safety Program (PDF) - checklist
- Lead's Revenge! ¡La Venganza del Plomo! - a training video about lead paint and ladder safety
Shooting Ranges
- Frequently Asked Questions for Shooting Range Operators
- Frequently Asked Questions for Shooting Range Workers
- Lead Hazards at Shooting Ranges (PDF)
- Evaluation of Lead and Copper Exposure at an Indoor Shooting Range (PDF) - NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation
- Health Dangers from Lead (PDF) | Spanish
- Don't Take Lead Home from Your Job (PDF) | Spanish | Hindi | Hmong | Korean | Simplified Chinese | Tagalog | Traditional Chinese | Urdu | Vietnamese
- Common Jobs, Hobbies & Other Sources of Lead (PDF) | Spanish
Workplace Hazard Alert - Health Dangers from Lead (PDF) | Spanish - worker factsheets
- Lead Safety - Doing It Right (PDF)
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Basics of a Lead Health & Safety Program - A checklist for employers in General Industry (PDF) and Construction (PDF)
How to Use Half-Mask Respirators to Prevent Lead Poisoning (PDF, 1.4MB) - easy-to-read factsheet
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Blood lead testing and respirator evaluations- occupational medicine providers that offer blood lead level testing and respirator evaluation services to employers
- Workplace materials for employers