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Cal/OSHA Lead-in-Construction Special Emphasis Program
As of November 1, 1996 Cal/OSHA implemented a Lead-in-Construction Special Emphasis Program to prevent lead exposure to construction workers who perform activities such as cutting, burning, welding, painting, abrasive blasting and the like of structures coated with lead-containing paints or during any other disturbance of lead-containing materials. This Program is one in a series of Cal/OSHA activities aimed at identifying high hazard employers and eliminating preventable occupational injuries and illnesses.
When the construction contractor or employer is identified from the F.W. Dodge reporting service or referrals from unions or other governmental agencies, the Cal/OSHA inspector is required to conduct an inspection and perform the following:
- A review of the employer's programs which include the:
- Injury and Illness Prevention (IIP) Program,
- Hazard Communication Program,
- Lead-in-Construction Compliance Program including bulk sampling results, personal air monitoring, medical surveillance, medical removal and recordkeeping,
- Other programs as applicable.
- A review of the Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (Log 200) for occurrences of one (1) or more serious construction injuries such as an electrocution, impalement, fall from height or musculoskeletal injuries in the current or previous calendar year.
- Interview of selected employee(s) to determine (1) the effectiveness of the IIP Program and other programs, (2) occurrence of injuries and illnesses not recorded in the Log 200, and if applicable, (3) presence of imminent or serious hazards in the workplace.
If the review of programs and the interview(s) are deemed to be in compliance (acceptable), the inspector is required to terminate the inspection. If the review of the programs and/or the interview(s) reveal problems such as the employer has no workers' compensation insurance, no or ineffective IIP Program, or no air monitoring of employees when lead is present in the building material, the inspector is required to expand the scope of the inspection and conduct a comprehensive inspection which encompasses an evaluation of the entire worksite for the presence of safety and health hazards.
For any questions regarding the Lead-in-Construction Special Emphasis Program, contact for Northern California Scott McAllister, Regional Senior Industrial Hygienist, at (707) 576-2419 or for Southern California Andy Morita, Regional Senior Industrial Hygienist, at (714) 935-2726.
"Information or recommendations contained in these articles were obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the date of publication. Information is only advisory and does not presume to be exhaustive or inclusive of all workplace hazards or situations."
The above evaluations and/or recommendations are for general guidance only and should not be relied
upon for legal compliance purposes. They are based solely on the information provided to us and relate
only to those conditions specifically discussed. We do not make any warranty, expressed or implied, that your workplace is safe or healthful or that it complies with all laws, regulations or standards.
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