29 CFR 1926 · Construction · Subpart D

1926.62(e): Lead Controls and Compliance Program

By Black Belt Safety Editorial Team Official text as of October 15, 2026 Data updated October 19, 2026 5 min read

In plain words:

Construction employers must use feasible engineering and work practice controls to reduce worker lead exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit, and add respirators when controls alone are not enough. Before the job starts, they must set up a written compliance program describing each lead-emitting activity, the control methods, technology considered, air monitoring data and an implementation schedule.

Key takeaways

  • 1926.62(e) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
  • OSHA cited it 34 times in the last 3 years, in 27 inspections, with $36,608 in current penalties.
  • Most citations: OR (8), RI (6), CT (5).
  • Related part: 1926.62(e)(2) Compliance program (27 citations).
  • Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
34citations, 3 years
$36,608current penalties
27inspections
0linked injury cases
In this article
  1. What this rule covers
  2. Official text
  3. Where and how often it was cited
  4. Free toolbox talk
  5. OSHA interpretation letters
  6. Related parts of this rule
  7. Get your crew competent
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. About this page

What this rule covers

29 CFR 1926.62(e) ("Methods of compliance") is one requirement inside 1926.62 Lead, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). It includes 22 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

(e) Methods of compliance — 34 citations

(1) Engineering and work practice controls. The employer shall implement engineering and work practice controls, including administrative controls, to reduce and maintain employee exposure to lead to or below the permissible exposure limit to the extent that such controls are feasible. Wherever all feasible engineering and work practices controls that can be instituted are not sufficient to reduce employee exposure to or below the permissible exposure limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section, the employer shall nonetheless use them to reduce employee exposure to the lowest feasible level and shall supplement them by the use of respiratory protection that complies with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this section. 5 citations

(2) Compliance program. Open (e)(2) 27 citations

(i) Prior to commencement of the job each employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program to achieve compliance with paragraph (c) of this section. Open (e)(2)(i) 21 citations

(ii) Written plans for these compliance programs shall include at least the following: 2 citations

(A) A description of each activity in which lead is emitted; e.g. equipment used, material involved, controls in place, crew size, employee job responsibilities, operating procedures and maintenance practices; 2 citations

(B) A description of the specific means that will be employed to achieve compliance and, where engineering controls are required engineering plans and studies used to determine methods selected for controlling exposure to lead;

(C) A report of the technology considered in meeting the PEL;

(D) Air monitoring data which documents the source of lead emissions;

(E) A detailed schedule for implementation of the program, including documentation such as copies of purchase orders for equipment, construction contracts, etc.;

(F) A work practice program which includes items required under paragraphs (g), (h) and (i) of this section and incorporates other relevant work practices such as those specified in paragraph (e)(5) of this section;

(G) An administrative control schedule required by paragraph (e)(4) of this section, if applicable;

(H) A description of arrangements made among contractors on multi-contractor sites with respect to informing affected employees of potential exposure to lead and with respect to responsibility for compliance with this section as set-forth in § 1926.16.

(I) Other relevant information.

(iii) The compliance program shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of job sites, materials, and equipment to be made by a competent person. 2 citations

(iv) Written programs shall be submitted upon request to any affected employee or authorized employee representatives, to the Assistant Secretary and the Director, and shall be available at the worksite for examination and copying by the Assistant Secretary and the Director. 1 citations

(v) Written programs must be revised and updated at least annually to reflect the current status of the program. 1 citations

(3) Mechanical ventilation. When ventilation is used to control lead exposure, the employer shall evaluate the mechanical performance of the system in controlling exposure as necessary to maintain its effectiveness.

(4) Administrative controls. If administrative controls are used as a means of reducing employees TWA exposure to lead, the employer shall establish and implement a job rotation schedule which includes:

(i) Name or identification number of each affected employee;

(ii) Duration and exposure levels at each job or work station where each affected employee is located; and

(iii) Any other information which may be useful in assessing the reliability of administrative controls to reduce exposure to lead.

(5) The employer shall ensure that, to the extent relevant, employees follow good work practices such as described in appendix B of this section. 2 citations

Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.62.

Where and how often it was cited

YearCitations
20231
202420
202510
20263

Top states: OR (8), RI (6), CT (5), NY (4), AK (2)

Largest penalties

EmployerLocationPenalty for this rule
DR COLORS LLCPROVIDENCE, RI$8,595
CORNERSTONE IMPROVEMENT, LLCHARTFORD, CT$8,296
NJ TRANSIT, RAILWAY MAINTENANCE DIVISIONRED BANK, NJ$3,750
1ST FINE CONSTRUCTION, INC.KINGSTON, NY$3,547
WEATHERIZATION SERVICES LLCSHEBOYGAN, WI$3,310

Free toolbox talk

A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.62(e), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.




OSHA interpretation letters

None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1926.62(e).

Related parts of this rule

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 if engineering controls cannot get lead below the limit?

The employer must still use them to reduce exposure to the lowest feasible level and supplement them with respiratory protection.

When must the written compliance program be in place?

Prior to commencement of the job.

What goes in the written program?

A description of each lead-emitting activity, the means of compliance, technology considered, air monitoring data, an implementation schedule and a work practice program, among other items.

About this page

Sources

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.

Written and reviewed by

Black Belt Safety Editorial Team

Site Safety Officer and Safety Professional

OSHA 30 · CPR · USACE CQM

Written and reviewed by the Black Belt Safety team. Every post is checked against the OSHA standard or agency source it cites.

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