1910.1025(d)(6): How Often to Monitor Lead Exposure
Employers must repeat lead monitoring at least every 6 months when exposure is at or above the action level but below the PEL, and quarterly when it is above the PEL. Monitoring continues until two consecutive measurements at least 7 days apart fall below the relevant level; if initial monitoring is below the action level, it need not be repeated except as (d)(7) provides.
Key takeaways
- 1910.1025(d)(6) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910).
- OSHA cited it 14 times in the last 3 years, in 13 inspections, with $57,940 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (3), WI (2), MI (2).
- Related part: 1910.1025(d) Exposure monitoring (195 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.1025(d)(6) ("Frequency") is one requirement inside 1910.1025 Lead, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910). It includes 3 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
(6) Frequency. 14 citations
(i) If the initial monitoring reveals employee exposure to be below the action level the measurements need not be repeated except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(7) of this section.
(ii) If the initial determination or subsequent monitoring reveals employee exposure to be at or above the action level but below the permissible exposure limit the employer shall repeat monitoring in accordance with this paragraph at least every 6 months. The employer shall continue monitoring at the required frequency until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least 7 days apart, are below the action level at which time the employer may discontinue monitoring for that employee except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(7) of this section. 6 citations
(iii) If the initial monitoring reveals that employee exposure is above the permissible exposure limit the employer shall repeat monitoring quarterly. The employer shall continue monitoring at the required frequency until at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least 7 days apart, are below the PEL but at or above the action level at which time the employer shall repeat monitoring for that employee at the frequency specified in paragraph (d)(6)(ii), except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d)(7) of this section. 8 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 | 1 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: TN (3), WI (2), MI (2), CA (1), MN (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HANKOOK & COMPANY ES AMERICA CORP. | CLARKSVILLE, TN | $30,000 |
| DYNAMIC LIFECYCLE INNOVATIONS, INC. | ONALASKA, WI | $7,116 |
| NORMA PRECISION INC. | GARDEN CITY, GA | $6,668 |
| UNITED BRASS WORKS, INC. | ERIE, PA | $6,332 |
| LONG SHOT PISTOL & RIFLE, LLC | SECAUCUS, NJ | $4,000 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.1025(d)(6), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.1025(d)(6).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.1025(d) Exposure monitoring 195 citations
- 1910.1025(d)(2) Initial determination 140 citations
- 1910.1025(d)(7) Additional monitoring 13 citations
- 1910.1025(d)(8) Employee notification 8 citations
- 1910.1025(d)(5) Negative initial determination 3 citations
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Frequently asked questions
How often is lead monitored above the PEL?
Quarterly.
How often is it monitored between the action level and the PEL?
At least every 6 months.
When can monitoring stop?
After at least two consecutive measurements, taken at least 7 days apart, are below the action level, except as (d)(7) provides.
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.