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What is lead and how can I be exposed?
Lead is a metal obtained from mining lead ore, which is used in a number of forms including pure metal, alloys (mixtures of metals) and as lead compounds. It has many uses including vehicle batteries, solder, paint pigments and as a stabiliser to protect plastic from sun damage.
The definition of lead is provided in Schedule 9 of the Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008.
Some of the workplace activities exposing people to lead include:
- dry machine grinding, discing, buffing or cutting of lead
- manufacturing or recycling lead-acid batteries
- repairs to radiators or vehicle exhaust systems
- melting or casting of lead or alloys containing lead e.g. lead dampcourse, trophies, yacht keels, leaded brass
- removal of lead paint from surfaces by dry sanding, heat or grit blasting
- demolition involving oxy-cutting of structural steel primed with lead paint
- fire assay involving lead
- handling of lead compounds causing lead dust e.g. from dry lead pigments, lead UV stabilisers
- spray painting with lead paint (> 1% lead by dry weight).
A list of lead process activities is provided in Schedule 9 of the Workplace Workplace Health and Safety Regulation 2008.
Last updated 21 August 2008
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