Relevant Statutes:
- Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998
While primarily directed at manufacturing and similar processes onshore, the Regulations impose requirements for the protection of employees who may be exposed to lead at work and of other persons who may be affected by such work Lead is interpreted as meaning lead or lead alloys, lead alkyls, compounds of lead and lead as a constituent of any substance of material liable to be inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed by persons.
Where work may expose persons to lead employers must-
- Assess the risk i.e. the exposure level including that to non-employees
- Dependent upon the results of the assessment, adequate control measures are required including the provision of protective clothing and, unless the exposure is insignificant, adequate monitoring procedures to measure concentration of lead in air.
- Prevent eating, drinking and smoking in areas that are, or may be,
- contaminated by lead.
- If exposure is significant, place employees under medical (health) surveillance.
- Provide employees with information, instruction and training.