1910.1025(j)(2): Blood Lead Testing Schedule
Employers must offer blood testing for lead and ZPP to covered employees at least every 6 months, at least every two months when the last result was at or above 40 µg/100 g, and at least monthly during medical removal. A follow-up test is required within two weeks after a result at or above the removal level, and labs must meet accuracy and CDC standards.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(j)(2) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 13 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $43,863 in current penalties.
- Most citations: WI (2), TN (2), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1910.1025(j) Medical surveillance (33 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(j)(2) ("Biological monitoring") is one requirement inside 1910.1025 Lead, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 9 sub-paragraphs. 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
(2) Biological monitoring — 13 citations
(i) Blood lead and ZPP level sampling and analysis. The employer shall make available biological monitoring in the form of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels to each employee covered under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section on the following schedule: Open (j)(2)(i) 11 citations
(A) At least every 6 months to each employee covered under paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section; 6 citations
(B) At least every two months for each employee whose last blood sampling and analysis indicated a blood lead level at or above 40 µg/100 g of whole blood. This frequency shall continue until two consecutive blood samples and analyses indicate a blood lead level below 40 µg/100 g of whole blood; and 2 citations
(C) At least monthly during the removal period of each employee removed from exposure to lead due to an elevated blood lead level.
(ii) Follow-up blood sampling tests. Whenever the results of a blood lead level test indicate that an employee's blood lead level is at or above the numerical criterion for medical removal under paragraph (k)(1)(i)(A) of this section, the employer shall provide a second (follow-up) blood sampling test within two weeks after the employer receives the results of the first blood sampling test. Open (j)(2)(ii) 1 citations
(iii) Accuracy of blood lead level sampling and analysis. Blood lead level sampling and analysis provided pursuant to this section shall have an accuracy (to a confidence level of 95 percent) within plus or minus 15 percent or 6 µg/100ml, whichever is greater, and shall be conducted by a laboratory licensed by the Center for Disease Control, United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (CDC) or which has received a satisfactory grade in blood lead proficiency testing from CDC in the prior twelve months. Open (j)(2)(iii)
(iv) Employee notification. Within five working days after the receipt of biological monitoring results, the employer shall notify in writing each employee whose blood lead level is at or above 40 µg/100 g: 1 citations
(A) Of that employee's blood lead level; and
(B) That the standard requires temporary medical removal with Medical Removal Protection benefits when an employee's blood lead level is at or above the numerical criterion for medical removal under paragraph (k)(1)(i) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.1025.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
Top states: WI (2), TN (2), NJ (2), MI (1), PA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSAL RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | JANESVILLE, WI | $16,131 |
| UNITED BRASS WORKS, INC. | ERIE, PA | $6,332 |
| LONG SHOT PISTOL & RIFLE, LLC | SECAUCUS, NJ | $6,000 |
| HOFFMAN'S GUN CENTER, INC. | NEWINGTON, CT | $4,966 |
| MAHONEY FOUNDRIES, INC. DBA VERMONT FOUNDRY COMPANY | VERMONT, IL | $4,823 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1025(j)(2), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- [De Minimis] Violation Notices: Blood Laboratory Proficiency Testing and Approval (2018-10-01)
- Lead Standard medical removal requirements and blood lead level testing (1990-12-12)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1025(j) Medical surveillance 33 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(1) General 15 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(1)(i) 15 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(2)(i) Blood lead and ZPP level sampling and analysis 11 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(3) Medical examinations and consultations 5 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(3)(v) Written medical opinions 1 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(2)(ii) Follow-up blood sampling tests 1 citations
- 1910.1025(j)(3)(iii) Multiple physician review mechanism
- 1910.1025(j)(3)(v)(B)
- 1910.1025(j)(4) Chelation
- 1910.1025(j)(2)(iii) Accuracy of blood lead level sampling and analysis
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Frequently asked questions
How often must blood lead tests be offered?
At least every 6 months to covered employees, more often in certain cases.
When does testing go to every two months?
When the last blood lead level was at or above 40 µg/100 g, until two consecutive results are below 40.
When is a follow-up blood test required?
Within two weeks after the employer receives a result at or above the medical removal criterion.
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.