The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 exposure values and associated guidance

1.1 Lead, including its compounds, is a substance that has long been known to have the potential to damage health. Excessive exposure can cause lead poisoning. Specific regulations controlling the exposure of workers to harmful levels of lead have been in place since 1980 in Great Britain (GB).

1.2 Exposure to lead can result in a range of serious medical problems including:

• changes in the blood which might lead to anaemia
• effects on the nervous system
• effects on the kidney 
• altered functioning of the testicles which could lead to infertility
• elevated blood pressure

1.3 HSE’s latest statistics for lead in blood exposure show there were 5,094 workers (4,799 males and 295 females) under medical surveillance in 2023/24. The main HSE industry sector categories in which significant levels of lead exposure may currently occur are:

• Paint removal,
• Lead battery manufacture,
• Work with lead and lead containing alloys,
• Smelting, refining, alloying and casting
• Lead battery recycling 
• Scrap industry (including pipes, flashing and cables)