According to OSHA, if an exposure assessment is not available, what assumption must be made regarding exposure levels?

When no exposure assessment is available, OSHA guidelines stipulate that it is necessary to assume that exposure levels are above the permissible exposure limit (PEL). This assumption aligns with the precautionary principle in occupational safety, which emphasizes the importance of worker safety and health in uncertain situations.

If an exposure assessment has not been conducted, it typically indicates a lack of reliable data regarding the potential risks involved. Therefore, OSHA directs that the default assumption should be that workers may be exposed to hazardous levels that exceed the established safety thresholds. This ensures that necessary protective measures, monitoring, and controls are implemented proactively, minimizing health risks for workers.

In this context, stating that exposures could be 10 times over or 5 times under the PEL would not be based on the approach taken by OSHA, which prioritizes caution and the safeguarding of workers’ health. Thus, it is crucial to adhere to the assumption that without a clear assessment, exposure is likely to be significantly higher than safe levels.