Lead

Working with lead

Lead is a naturally occurring metal which has historically been used in many products, for example pigments, paints, solder, stained glass, lead crystal glassware, ammunition, ceramic glazes, jewellery and toys.

Due to its toxic nature, working with lead and its compounds can pose a health risk if exposure is not controlled. It is imperative that good work practices and good personal hygiene are followed at all times.

Health effects

There are two possible types of exposure, high levels for a short time and lower exposure over a longer period.

Exposure to high levels of lead in a short time can result in stomach upset, mood changes, poor attention span, headaches, hallucinations, and damage to the brain and kidneys in severe cases.

Lower level exposure to lead over a long time can lead to anaemia and low blood pressure, damage to the nervous system, brain, and kidneys as well as effects on male and female reproduction.

Exposure to lead for a prolonged period of time may result in miscarriage, stillbirths or premature births. Children who are exposed to lead in the womb may have a lower IQ, behavioural problems, nerve damage or delayed growth. Lead may also affect both male and female fertility.

It is important that any exposure to lead is minimised by following good work practices and procedures. A main route of entry into the body is usually by ingestion, so good personal hygiene is paramount. Inhalation is another principal way by which lead can enter the body.

A significant exposure to lead is defined as follows:

• where any employee is, or is liable to be exposed to a concentration of Lead in the atmosphere exceeding half the occupational exposure limit for lead
• where there is a substantial risk of any employee ingesting lead
• if there is a risk of an employee’s skin coming into contact with lead alkyls, or any other substance containing lead, in a form which can also be absorbed through the skin

The occupational exposure limits for concentrations of lead and lead alkyls in the atmosphere (air) are outlined within the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 as follows:

• lead other than lead alkyls - 0.15 mg/m³
• lead alkyls - 0.10 mg/m³

How can I protect my employees?

Employers should carry out a risk assessment and then implement controls to protect employees. You should consider the following:

• can the use of lead be eliminated
• can an alternative, safer material be used instead of lead
• what engineering controls can be put in place to protect employees
• can you reduce the amount of lead used or the amount of time employees are exposed to lead
• use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Employers should ensure there are effective decontamination and skin care procedures in place. Ensure you provide:

• clean changing facilities with separate storage for clean and contaminated work clothing
• facilities with warm water, mild skin cleansers, and soft paper or fabric towels for drying - avoid abrasive cleansers
• pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash contamination from the skin, and after-work creams to replace skin oils

Employers must also ensure that workers are properly trained and supervised, and that they understand:

• the hazards associated with working with lead
• how to use dust controls, and how to check that they are working correctly
• how to maintain and clean equipment safely
• how to clean, maintain and store PPE correctly
• what to do if something goes wrong

Check workers:

• use the controls provided
• follow the correct work method
• turn up for medical surveillance
• follow the rules on personal hygiene

How workers can protect themselves

Employees can become contaminated by lead in different ways. This can be by breathing in lead dust, fume or vapour whilst working with it, or ingesting it when you eat, drink, smoke or bite your nails without washing your hands and face.

As a worker you can protect your health by:

• making sure you have the information and training you need to work safely with lead
• using the equipment provided by your employer and following the instructions for use
• making sure all protective equipment fits correctly and is in good condition
• keeping your work area clean and tidy
• appropriately disposing/recycling of any lead waste at the end of the shift
• not taking home any protective clothing or footwear for washing or cleaning
• wearing appropriate protective equipment for the task and return it to the designated place for storage or cleaning as provided by your employer
• reporting any damaged or defective equipment to your employer
• thoroughly washing your hands, face and arms before eating, drinking or smoking
• only eating, drinking and smoking in designated areas which must be free from lead contamination
• attending all medical surveillance appointments with the doctor
• practicing high levels of personal hygiene at all times

Medical surveillance

Where exposure to Lead is significant, as defined in Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, the employer should ensure that the employee is under medical surveillance.

Significant exposure means exposure in the following circumstances:

• where any employee is, or is liable to be exposed to a concentration of Lead in the atmosphere exceeding half the occupational exposure limit for lead
• where there is a substantial risk of any employee ingesting lead
• if there is a risk of an employee’s skin coming into contact with lead alkyls, or any other substance containing lead, in a form which can also be absorbed through the skin

Employees who do not have ‘significant exposure’ may still require to be under medical surveillance if a doctor certifies that it is necessary, for example if poor work practices or hygiene are observed.

The purpose of medical surveillance is to:

• make an initial assessment of an employee’s suitability to carry out work with lead
• evaluate the effect of lead absorbed by employees and to advise them on their state of health
• monitor the exposure of female employees of reproductive capacity
• assess the suitability of an employee to carry on working where there is continuing exposure to lead
• detect early signs of excessive lead absorption or early adverse health effects, and to remove employees from exposure to prevent lead poisoning and other health effects developing
• help employers in their duty to control the exposure of their employees to lead

Medical surveillance should be conducted prior to any exposure and then at 12 monthly intervals. For details on how to find an appointed doctor, please see HSENI’s Appointed doctors webpage:

• Appointed doctors

An initial medical assessment should always be carried out on all new employees employed in an activity liable to expose them to lead, and who have been exposed to lead at work in a previous job in the last three months, irrespective of whether their exposure to lead in their new employment is likely to be significant.

Biological monitoring

Biological monitoring involves the measuring of a person’s blood-lead concentration (for exposure to metallic lead and its compounds) or urinary lead concentration (for exposure to Lead Alkyls).

Where workers meet the criteria for ‘significant exposure’ blood lead levels should (as per ACOP para 276) be measured every three months. Once a consistent blood level pattern has been established, which may take several months, the intervals can be extended to the table below, except for women of reproductive capacity and for young persons for whom the interval should not be extended to more than three months.

For information on the HSE list of laboratories for blood lead analyses see the following link:

• Lead - Health surveillance - (hse.gov.uk)

Analysis of Lead Alkyls contamination is by urine monitoring rather than blood. The arrangements are broadly similar to the assessment of lead, however, at least once a year blood monitoring must also be carried out.

Table note:
*Represents the level at which the employee will come under closer medical surveillance
**Represents the level above which the doctor will certify the employee as unfit for work which exposes the employee to lead

The frequency of medical surveillance and monitoring of blood and urinary Lead level concentrations is explained in further detail in the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) ACOP L132:

• Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 Approved Code of Practice and guidance - (hse.gov.uk)

Action and suspension levels

Biological monitoring measurements may indicate that an employee has elevated blood-lead or urinary lead levels. The level of lead in blood (for metallic lead exposure) or urine (for Lead Alkyls exposure) can detect any absorption of lead before clinical effects become evident.

All employees who are liable to be exposed to lead at work are subject to a suspension level. Suspension levels are concentrations of lead in blood or urine at which employees would normally be removed from work exposing them to lead to prevent the risk of lead poisoning.

The Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 specifies the following suspension levels:

• blood-lead concentration of:
  • women of reproductive capacity - 30 μg/dl
  • young persons (under the age of 18) - 50 μg/dl
  • any other employee - 60 μg/dl

Or:

• urinary lead concentration of:
  • women of reproductive capacity - 25 μg Pb/g creatinine
  • any other employee - 110 μg Pb/g creatinine

Action levels are concentrations of lead in blood set below the appropriate suspension limit.

Blood-lead concentration action levels for metallic lead exposure as specified within the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 are:

• women of reproductive capacity - 25 µg/dl
• young persons (under the age of 18) - 40 µg/dl
• any other employees - 50 µg/dl

There are no blood-lead concentration action levels for employees exposed to lead alkyls.

Where an action level has been reached, the employer must establish why it has been reached, review control measures, and take appropriate action.

Any employee whose blood-lead or urinary-lead concentration reaches the appropriate suspension level should have the test repeated urgently.

Employers should ensure that every effort is made to obtain the result of the repeat test within 10 working days of the initial result becoming available.

Where an initial blood-lead concentration result relates to a young person or a woman of reproductive capacity, or it reaches or exceeds of 70 µg/dl for all other employees, the employer should consult the relevant doctor and consider whether to remove the employee concerned from work involving exposure to lead until the result of the repeat test becomes available. The same action applies where an initial urinary-lead concentration relates to a woman of reproductive capacity, or it reaches or exceeds 110 µg Pb/g creatinine for all other employees.

If the result of the repeat test is also equal to or greater than the appropriate suspension level, the doctor should certify that the employee be taken off work which could further exposes them to lead.

Key legislation

• Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 -  (legislation.gov.uk)
• Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 -(legislation.gov.uk)

Resources

• Appointed doctors topic page
• Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS)
• Control of lead at work: Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 ACOP - (hse.gov.uk)
• GB statistics - Exposure to lead - (hse.gov.uk)
• Lead - Health surveillance - (hse.gov.uk)
• Lead and you: Working safely with lead (INDG305) - (hse.gov.uk)

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