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Working with lead

Issue date
Health for Work Adviceline logo
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What is lead and where is it found?

Lead and compounds of lead are substances that have the potential to damage health: excessive exposure can cause lead poisoning. Lead is most commonly found in the following industries:

  • lead smelting, melting and burning;
  • vitreous enamelling on glass and metal;
  • glazing pottery;
  • the manufacture of lead compounds such as red and white lead and lead colours;
  • manufacture of lead accumulators;
  • shipbuilding/shipbreaking;
  • painting and spray painting of some vehicles;
  • paint stripping from old buildings, doors and windows;
  • plumbing and soldering operations;
  • manufacture of rubber.

How can lead exposure affect staff?

When lead and items containing lead are processed, worked or recovered from scrap or waste, they can create lead dust, fumes or vapour which can be breathed in or swallowed. This can occur particularly when people eat, drink, smoke or bite their nails (especially if they have not washed their hands). Some types of lead can be absorbed through the skin. Once lead is absorbed into the body, it will accumulate in the bones, and large amounts will produce serious health effects. These can include headaches; tiredness; irritability; constipation; nausea; stomach pains; anaemia and weight loss.

Further absorption of lead can cause more serious effects, such as kidney damage, nerve and brain damage and infertility.

An unborn child is particularly at risk from exposure to lead, especially in the early weeks before pregnancy is known, therefore women of childbearing age must be aware of the implications of working with lead.

The law gives greater protection to young people under 18 and women capable of having children and they are barred from working in lead smelting and refining, and in most jobs in the manufacture of lead acid batteries.

What are employers' responsibilities?

There is a legal duty on employers to protect the health of people at work by preventing (or where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlling) exposure to lead. Employers also have to monitor the amount of lead absorbed by employees so that individuals whose work involves significant exposure to lead can stop work that is putting them in danger before their health is affected.

Your employer is also obliged to provide washing and changing facilities, places free from lead contamination for eating, and information and training. In some circumstances they also have to ensure that you receive regular checks by a specialist doctor. You would be advised to notify your union for advice and support if you have any concerns over this or you are found to have levels of blood above the action level (see below).

The law sets out two levels where action is required - action levels and suspension levels. These appear below, however your employer should seek to ensure that your exposure is as low as reasonably possible. Once blood lead levels reach the action levels, employers must investigate and try to reduce them. If levels reach the suspension level despite control measures, doctors will usually decide against continued work with lead. An employer must act on a doctor's decision, and employees will not be able to work with lead again until it is safe to do so.

Category

Action level

Suspension level

General employees

50 µg/dl

60 µg/dl

Women capable of having children

25 µg/dl

30 µg/dl

Young people under 18

40 µg/dl

50 µg/dl

What help is available for employees?

The Health for Work Adviceline, 0800 0 77 88 44, can advise you on whether any part of your work would be covered by the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 and whether medical checks would be required. The Adviceline can also advise on acceptable lead levels in the bloodstream, and how lead may affect you.

You can also contact your union or health and safety representative for advice if you have any issues relating to lead.

Further sources of information

The HSE have a section on their website dedicated to issues to do with lead at work.

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