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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.

Guidance on risks and management of exposure to lead

Relevant legislation

Health surveillance

Related information

Contacting an appointed doctor:

To find out more about appointed doctors and other HSE specialists contact HSE Infoline.

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;