Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CHL Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is primarily responsible for establishing permissible exposure limits (PELs) for hazardous substances in the workplace. These limits are regulatory standards that define the maximum amounts of chemical substances or physical agents to which workers may be exposed during an eight-hour workday or 40-hour workweek. OSHA's role is critical in ensuring a safe work environment by setting and enforcing these standards, which are grounded in research and established health criteria.

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also deals with exposure limits, its focus is more on environmental standards rather than workplace exposures. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts research and makes recommendations regarding occupational safety but does not set regulatory requirements. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidance on health issues at a global level but does not establish exposure limits for workplace environments. Thus, OSHA’s regulatory authority makes it the primary organization responsible for setting PELs.