NIOSH Alert: Preventing Occupational Exposure to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges

Employers and firing range operators should take steps to protect their workers and shooters from exposure to hazardous lead concentrations and noise levels at indoor firing ranges.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requests help in preventing injury and illness in workers at indoor firing ranges in the United States. Workers are potentially exposed to hazardous amounts of lead and noise at these ranges. They include thousands of employees at the firing ranges as well as more than a million Federal, State, and local law officers who train regularly at these facilities. In addition to workers, 20 million active target shooters are potentially exposed to lead and noise hazards at indoor firing ranges.

This Alert presents five case reports that document lead and noise exposures of law enforcement officers and students. The Alert examines firing range operations, exposure assessment and control methods, existing regulations, and exposure standards and guidelines.

Preventing Occupational Exposures to Lead and Noise at Indoor Firing Ranges [PDF – 839 KB]

Document Development History

Peer review and public comment