Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to revise its standards for occupational exposure to lead.
AFS is in the process of forming a working group to seek input from foundries and suppliers using lead in their facilities. AFS will be formally commenting on the ANPRM. We plan to hold our first working group meeting via Zoom soon.
If you are interested in participating in the AFS Lead Rule Working Group, email Greg Kramer, AFS Technical Director, at gkramer@afsinc.org.
Background
Recent medical research on workplace lead exposure shows adverse health effects can occur in adults at lower blood lead levels than recognized previously in the medical removal levels specified in OSHA's lead standards.
The ANPRM seeks public input on modifying current OSHA lead standards for general industry to reduce the triggers for medical removal protection and medical surveillance and prevent harmful health effects in workers exposed to lead more effectively.
OSHA asks the public to comment on the following areas of the lead standards:
- Blood lead level triggers for medical removal protection
- Medical surveillance provisions, including triggers and frequency of blood lead monitoring
- Permissible exposure limit
- Ancillary provisions for personal protective equipment, housekeeping, hygiene and training
The ANPRM also requests comments on employers' current practices that address workplace lead exposure and associated costs and other areas of interest. Read the Federal Register notice on the ANPRM here. Comments are due Oct. 28.