LEGISLATION

Under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 employers have a duty to prevent, or control, employee exposure to lead, irrespective of the source of that exposure.

The Regulations apply to any type of work activity e.g. maintenance, repairing, disposal etc. which has the potential to expose employees, and any other person, to:

• Metallic lead, its alloys, and all its compounds including lead alkyls
• Lead when it is a component of any substance or material (for example paint)

The lead must be in a form where it can be:

• Inhaled (e.g. dust, fume etc.)
• Ingested (e.g. powder, dust, paint etc.)
• Absorbed through the skin (e.g. alkyls)

Under the Regulations employers must:

• Assess the risk
• Identify potential for significant exposure (as additional control measures must be implemented)
• Implement adequate control measures and safe working procedures (including air monitoring and medical surveillance if there is likely to be significant exposure)
• Provide employees with information, instruction and training

WHAT CAN WE DO

We can conduct a lead-in-paint test prior to any planned refurbishment, maintenance or construction work in order to identify if lead is present.  This will help you to determine if the paint needs to be removed under controlled conditions and if the waste produced needs to be disposed of as hazardous waste.

Should it be identified that lead is present we can then help you to identify and implement suitable control measures in order to protect your employees, and other persons, during the course of the planned work.