1910.1025(e)(1)(i): Lead Controls for Exposure Over 30 Days a Year
When any employee is exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year, employers must use engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce exposure on the schedule in Table I, unless they show the controls are not feasible. If controls cannot get exposure to or below the limit, employers must still use them to reach the lowest feasible level and add respirators.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(e)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 28 times in the last 3 years, in 28 inspections, with $42,750 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PA (3), TN (3), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1910.1025(e) Methods of compliance (96 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(e)(1)(i) 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
(i) Where any employee is exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year, the employer shall implement engineering and work practice controls (including administrative controls) to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead in accordance with the implementation schedule in Table I below, except to the extent that the employer can demonstrate that such controls are not feasible. Wherever the engineering and work practice controls which can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce exposures to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection which complies with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this section. 28 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1025.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Top states: PA (3), TN (3), NJ (2), IL (2), FL (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| NYRSTAR CLARKSVILLE INC. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $17,500 |
| CLARIOS INC. | SAINT JOSEPH, MO | $9,500 |
| COM2 COMPUTERS AND TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | CAROL STREAM, IL | $5,646 |
| BLUE TRAIL RANGE | WALLINGFORD, CT | $5,469 |
| HEARING PROTECTION LLC | WATERTOWN, WI | $4,635 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1025(e)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1025(e)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1025(e) Methods of compliance 96 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(3) Compliance program 39 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(1) Engineering and work practice controls 30 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(3)(i) 23 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(4) Mechanical ventilation 20 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(4)(i) 18 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(3)(ii) 10 citations
- 1910.1025(e)(4)(ii) Recirculation of air 2 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
When does this paragraph apply?
When any employee is exposed to lead above the permissible exposure limit for more than 30 days per year.
Are administrative controls included?
Yes. Work practice controls include administrative controls.
What if controls are not enough?
They must still be used to reduce exposure to the lowest feasible level, supplemented by respiratory protection.
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.