Working safely with lead
When lead and lead compounds are processed,
worked or recovered from scrap or waste they can
create lead dust, fume or vapour. This can be absorbed by your body through breathing or swallowing. Exposure to lead can lead to a range of medical problems.
HSE Statement: lead exposure
6 November 2009: There has been some media interest in lead recently, read the HSE response here.
Guidance on risks and management of exposure to lead
When are you most at risk?
When you work in industrial processes which create
lead dust, fume or vapour. These include:
- blast removal and burning of old lead paint;
- stripping of old lead paint from doors, windows
etc;
- hot cutting in demolition and dismantling operations
and recovering lead from scrap and waste.
- lead smelting, refining, alloying and casting;
- lead-acid battery manufacture and breaking;
- manufacturing lead compounds;
- manufacturing leaded-glass;
- manufacturing and using pigments, colours and
ceramic glazes;
- working with metallic lead and alloys containing
lead, for example soldering;
- some painting of buildings; some spray-painting
of vehicles;
Related information
Contacting an appointed doctor:
To find out more about appointed doctors and other HSE specialists contact
HSE Infoline.
