1910.1025(c)(1): Lead PEL of 50 Micrograms
Employers must make sure no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(c)(1) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 35 times in the last 3 years, in 35 inspections, with $195,454 in current penalties.
- Most citations: MI (5), TN (4), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1910.1025(c) Permissible exposure limit (PEL) (39 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(c)(1) is one requirement inside 1910.1025 Lead, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(1) The employer shall assure that no employee is exposed to lead at concentrations greater than fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period. 35 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1025.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 13 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: MI (5), TN (4), NJ (2), KY (2), CT (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| LONG SHOT PISTOL & RIFLE, LLC | SECAUCUS, NJ | $28,000 |
| NYRSTAR CLARKSVILLE INC. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $17,500 |
| OLIN WINCHESTER, LLC | EAST ALTON, IL | $16,550 |
| SHOOTERS WORLD, LLC | TAMPA, FL | $11,585 |
| EDWARD ARNOLD SCRAP PROCESSORS, INC. | CORFU, NY | $11,585 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1025(c)(1), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1025(c)(1).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1025(c) Permissible exposure limit (PEL) 39 citations
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
What is the lead PEL?
Fifty micrograms per cubic meter of air (50 µg/m3) averaged over an 8-hour period.
Who is responsible for keeping exposure below the PEL?
The employer.
Is the limit an instant or average reading?
It is averaged over an 8-hour period.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.1025 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-21
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.