Health Surveillance for Lead

Working with lead (either directly or indirectly for example lead based paints, or lead shots in rifle ranges)

Medical surveillance by an HSE Appointed Doctor is required when 

• the exposure of the employee to lead is, or is liable to be, significant
• the blood-lead concentration or urinary lead concentration of the employee is measured and equals or exceeds the levels detailed in the regulations
• a relevant doctor certifies that the employee should be under such medical surveillance

An initial medical assessment by an HSE appointed doctor should always be carried out on all new workers 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.

A HS1 form should be completed for referral to UOHS for all new workers 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.

To inform UOHS the department are asked to provide information whether exposure is considered significant in the HS1 form. To determine this, please refer to: Control of Lead at Work

In particular:

• page 24 Table 1 lists Work liable to result in significant exposure
• page 26 Table 2 lists Work unlikely to result in significant exposure
• page 18 onwards for Regulation 5, ACoP and Guidance on assessing the risk*

Note a suitable and sufficient assessment should take account of all possible routes of routes of exposure i.e. inhalation (fume vapour dust), skin absorption and ingestion. The age and sex of the employee also needs to be considered (young persons and women of reproductive capacity require more stringent controls).

Note any respiratory protective (RPE) with a tight-fitting face piece must be face fit tested to the individual wearer. This must be arranged via the area or divisional safety officer.

The employee may be enrolled onto a relevant medical surveillance programme.

HSE's Working Safely with Lead guidance pages

Please refer to your supervisor, departmental or divisional/ area safety officer if you need further assistance in interpreting this information and how it relates to the work, and the risk assessment that is being undertaken.