1926.62(j)(1)(i): Initial Blood Lead Testing
Construction employers must make initial medical surveillance available to employees occupationally exposed on any day to lead at or above the action level. This consists of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels.
Key takeaways
- 1926.62(j)(1)(i) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 12 times in the last 3 years, in 12 inspections, with $3,535 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (3), IL (2), WI (2).
- Related part: 1926.62(j) Medical surveillance (15 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.62(j)(1)(i) is one requirement inside 1926.62 Lead, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). 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) The employer shall make available initial medical surveillance to employees occupationally exposed on any day to lead at or above the action level. Initial medical surveillance consists of biological monitoring in the form of blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels. 12 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.62.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Top states: NY (3), IL (2), WI (2), MA (1), CT (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| DIMITRI PAINTING CORP | CENTRAL ISLIP, NY | $2,000 |
| RUIZ & R LLC | WINCHESTER, VA | $1,535 |
| JD CORDAGE LLC | PLYMOUTH, MA | $0 |
| CORNERSTONE IMPROVEMENT, LLC | HARTFORD, CT | $0 |
| JEFF ABRAHAMSON | ENDICOTT, NY | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.62(j)(1)(i), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.62(j)(1)(i).
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.62(j) Medical surveillance 15 citations
- 1926.62(j)(1) General 12 citations
- 1926.62(j)(2) Biological monitoring 2 citations
- 1926.62(j)(2)(iii) Accuracy of blood lead level sampling and analysis
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
Who must be offered initial lead testing?
Employees occupationally exposed on any day to lead at or above the action level.
What does the testing include?
Blood sampling and analysis for lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels.
Does one day of exposure count?
Yes. The rule applies to exposure on any day at or above the action level.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.62 (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 2026-10-20
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.