Construction Supervisor License Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Exam Prep Guide

The employee maximum permissible exposure limit to lead, averaged over an eight-hour workday, is established to ensure the safety and health of workers who may be exposed to lead. This limit is set at 50 micrograms per cubic meter.

Lead is a toxic metal that can cause serious health issues, particularly affecting the nervous system, blood, and kidneys. To mitigate the risk of lead exposure in the workplace, regulatory agencies, like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), have established permissible exposure limits (PELs) based on extensive research and health impact studies.

The eight-hour time-weighted average is significant because it reflects a standard work shift, allowing for consistent monitoring and compliance. By maintaining exposure levels at or below 50 micrograms per cubic meter, the aim is to protect workers from the harmful effects of lead over time, reducing the potential for chronic health complications associated with long-term exposure to this hazardous substance.