Lead Safety in Construction

The Lead Safety in Construction course from the American Institute of Safety Professionals provides dedicated training on OSHA 29 CFR 1926.62 (Lead in Construction), the standard protecting construction workers from lead exposure during renovation, demolition, bridge work, and any activity that disturbs lead-based paint or lead-containing materials. Lead causes neurological damage, kidney disease, reproductive harm, and anaemia — effects that can be permanent. Buildings and structures constructed before 1978 (when lead paint was banned for residential use) are presumed to contain lead-based paint.

The curriculum covers lead health effects, lead sources in construction (paint disturbance, cutting/welding painted steel, demolition, bridge abrasion), OSHA 1926.62 requirements (action level 30 µg/m³, PEL 50 µg/m³), exposure assessment methodology, lead-safe work practices (wet methods, HEPA vacuuming, containment, prohibited practices), respiratory protection, blood lead level (BLL) monitoring, medical removal protection, hygiene facilities, EPA RRP Rule awareness for residential work, and the written compliance programme. All training is delivered 100% online through the American Institute of Safety Professionals LMS. Upon completion, graduates receive a certificate, wallet card, and transcript, employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

Upon completing this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify lead sources in construction: lead-based paint (pre-1978 buildings), lead in steel coatings (bridges, industrial structures), lead soldering (older plumbing), and the construction activities that generate lead exposure (scraping, sanding, cutting, welding, demolishing painted surfaces).
• Apply OSHA 1926.62 exposure limits: action level (30 µg/m³ triggers monitoring, medical surveillance, training), PEL (50 µg/m³ triggers engineering controls, RPE, hygiene facilities), and the interim protection measures required until exposure assessment is completed.
• Implement lead-safe work practices: wet methods, HEPA-filtered vacuuming, containment, prohibition against open-flame burning of lead paint, prohibition against dry scraping large areas, and the work practices that minimise airborne lead generation.
• Manage blood lead level monitoring: baseline BLL before assignment, periodic monitoring every 2 months (monthly if BLL ≥40 µg/dL), medical removal trigger (BLL ≥50 µg/dL), return criteria (BLL <40 µg/dL on two consecutive tests), and the medical removal protection benefits.
• Apply EPA RRP Rule for residential work: firm certification, renovator training, lead-safe work practices, and the EPA requirements that apply in addition to OSHA when working in pre-1978 housing.

Core Curriculum Topics

• Lead Health Effects: neurological, kidney, reproductive, anaemia, children's vulnerability
• Lead Sources in Construction: paint, coatings, solder, plumbing, demolition debris
• OSHA 1926.62: action level 30 µg/m³, PEL 50 µg/m³, interim protection
• Exposure Assessment: initial determination, monitoring methods, representative sampling
• Lead-Safe Work Practices: wet methods, HEPA, containment, prohibited practices
• Respiratory Protection: APR with HEPA, powered APR, supplied air, fit testing
• Blood Lead Monitoring: baseline, periodic, frequency escalation, trend analysis
• Medical Removal: BLL ≥50 trigger, return <40 on two tests, MRP benefits
• Hygiene Facilities: change rooms, showers, clean eating areas, handwashing
• EPA RRP Rule: firm certification, renovator training, residential requirements
• Written Compliance Programme: elements, documentation, annual update

• No prior training required
• No academic degree required
• All instruction in English

Upon completion, graduates receive an American Institute of Safety Professionals certificate, wallet card, and transcript. Employer-verifiable at amiosp.com/student-verifications.

• Renovation workers disturbing lead-based paint in pre-1978 buildings
• Bridge workers performing abrasive blasting and painting
• Demolition workers on older structures
• Safety officers managing lead exposure programmes
• Painters and coating applicators on older structures

• Lead Safety in Construction — YOU ARE HERE
• Renovation and Demolition Safety (lead within broader reno/demo)
• Health Hazards in Construction (lead as one health hazard)
• Silica Dust Safety in Construction (another construction health standard)
• International Diploma in Advanced Industrial Hygiene