EPA Worker Health, Safety & PPE 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which OSHA standard establishes the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead in construction?
- 29 CFR 1910.1025
- 29 CFR 1926.62 (Correct answer)
- 40 CFR 745
- 29 CFR 1926.55
Correct answer: 29 CFR 1926.62
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62 is the lead standard specifically for the construction industry, setting the PEL at 50 µg/m³ as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
Question 2: What is the OSHA action level for airborne lead in construction that triggers additional protective measures?
- 10 µg/m³
- 25 µg/m³ (Correct answer)
- 30 µg/m³
- 50 µg/m³
Correct answer: 25 µg/m³
OSHA's action level for lead in construction is 25 µg/m³ as an 8-hour TWA, triggering requirements for exposure monitoring, medical surveillance, and training.
Question 3: When must a lead-certified contractor provide blood lead level (BLL) testing for workers?
- Only after a worker complains of symptoms
- At least every 6 months when workers are exposed above the action level (Correct answer)
- Once per year regardless of exposure
- Only at initial hire
Correct answer: At least every 6 months when workers are exposed above the action level
OSHA requires blood lead level monitoring at least every 6 months for workers exposed above the action level, with more frequent testing at higher exposures.
Question 4: What type of gloves should lead abatement workers wear when handling lead paint debris?
- Latex surgical gloves
- Leather work gloves
- Disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves (Correct answer)
- Mesh cut-resistant gloves
Correct answer: Disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves
Disposable nitrile or vinyl gloves prevent lead from contaminating the skin and can be discarded in the work area to prevent cross-contamination.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the 'change area' established outside a lead abatement work zone?
- To store unused abatement materials
- To allow workers to remove and store contaminated PPE before leaving the work area (Correct answer)
- To conduct clearance testing
- To prepare chemical stripping agents
Correct answer: To allow workers to remove and store contaminated PPE before leaving the work area
The change area prevents lead contamination from being tracked out of the work zone by providing a designated space for removing protective clothing and gear.
Question 6: Under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62, when a worker's blood lead level reaches 50 µg/dL, what must the employer do?
- Issue a written warning
- Remove the worker from lead exposure until BLL drops below 40 µg/dL (Correct answer)
- Increase PPE requirements only
- Notify OSHA within 24 hours
Correct answer: Remove the worker from lead exposure until BLL drops below 40 µg/dL
OSHA's medical removal protection requires employers to remove workers from lead exposure when their BLL reaches 50 µg/dL and maintain removal until BLL is below 40 µg/dL.
EPA Worker Health, Safety & PPE 1
Which OSHA standard establishes the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for lead in construction?