410 - Workplace Alphabet Soup: Making Sense of Occupational Exposure Limits

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are fundamental to ensuring workplace safety, yet they are often misunderstood. This presentation will provide an introductory exploration of three primary OELs—OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs), NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limits (RELs), and ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). These limits serve as tools for occupational health professionals to help protect workers from hazardous workplace exposures. However, their differences in purpose, development process, and implementation can create confusion. This presentation will discuss how OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH establish these limits. Key distinctions between the enforceable and advisory limits will be explored. Participants will improve their understanding of the strengths and limitations of each type of limit and how to better interpret their use in various occupational settings.