OSHA is conducting its regulatory review of the lead in construction standard -- a process mandated by federal guidelines -- to determine if the standard is needed and if it should be amended.
"In this case, the review requests comments as to the necessity for the agency to modify this standard to make implementation more practical, reduce the regulatory burden on small business, and improve its effectiveness, while still protecting worker health," said OSHA Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor Jonathan Snare.
The construction industry employs millions of workers in jobs where lead exposures are most likely to occur, such as paint removal, building and bridge renovation, plumbing and water system repair and replacement. Overexposure to lead can cause serious damage to the body's blood-forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems.
OSHA's lead in construction standard establishes procedures for minimizing the level of exposure to lead for all workers covered.
Public comments are welcome and must be sent in triplicate by Sept. 6 to Docket Office, Docket No. H023, Technical Data Center, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments also may be faxed to (202) 693-1648, or submitted online at http://www.regulations.gov or http://ecomments.osha.gov.
The June 6 Federal Register has details on the lead in construction standard's regulatory review.