The likelihood of developing a disease caused by an environmental agent increases with the amount of exposure to the agent. Therefore OSHA has established limits of exposure that present a likelihood that the agent will result in disease. These standards are reported as permissible exposure limits. In the construction and shipyard industries, employers must provide education and training for employees exposed above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) and for all employees involved in certain, identified work classifications. In general industry, employers must provide training to all employees exposed above PELs. Employers must also provide asbestos awareness training to employees who perform housekeeping operations covered by OSHA standards.
