OSHA’s Kansas City office announced today a special regional
emphasis program aimed at reducing occupational exposure to
lead, one of the leading causes of workplace illnesses, for
workplaces under OSHA’s jurisdiction in the Midwestern states of
Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The potential for lead
exposure depends on the industry, but generally speaking, lead
is an ingredient in thousands of products widely used, including
lead-based paints, lead solder, electrical fittings and
conduits, tank linings and plumbing fixtures. Some common
operations that can generate lead dust and fumes include
demolition operations; flame-torch cutting; welding; use of heat
guns, sanders, scrapers, or grinders to remove lead paint; and
abrasive blasting of steel structures. "Occupational exposure to
lead continues to be one of the most prevalent overexposures
found throughout industry," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA's
regional administrator in Kansas City. "It is imperative we do
all we can to reduce that exposure to worke