Exposure to Lead and Your Workers' Health

Under Work Health & Safety Regulations (WHS) Lead is used in the workplace in a variety of products including, batteries, radiation shielding and ammunition. It was used extensively in lead paints and lead fuels before these products were banned, and may still be present in some workplaces.

Exposure to lead can cause adverse health effects which may include :-

• reduced fertility, and birth defects and developmental delays in children.

• cancer

• cardiovascular disease

• kidney damage

• effects on the nervous system, including difficulty concentrating, hearing loss, loss of balance, tremors

• behavioural changes like aggression, anxiety and depression

• anaemia

Health monitoring is provided to workers undertaking lead risk work before the worker first starts the work and one month after. This will include:-

• demographic, medical and occupational history

• physical examination, and

• biological monitoring, (taking a blood sample and measuring the blood lead level.)

Health monitoring can be used to help identify whether existing control measures are working effectively or whether more effective control measures should be implemented.

The WHS Laws are regularly reviewed and updated and we will ensure compliance.

In summary, the process is as follows:-