Need to Re-evaluate Lead Exposure Limits

People attending the Construction Safety Campaign (CSC) yearly general meeting passed an unopposed resolution in favour of a ban on lead and import of lead products, along with a resolution to make workplaces lead-free. The resolutions was inspired by recent reports published in Hazard magazine that lead exposure lesser than the permitted HSE level can also lead to adverse effects on workers’ health in the long run.

Tony O’Brien, National Secretary at CSC, explained that the AGM has looked at a number of lead poising incidents in recent times. One of the incidents involved workers employed in a massive project undertaken in Liverpool and the other involved East European immigrants working in a renovation project of a Scottish mansion.

Lead present in the windows, pipes, roofing materials and paints of ancient buildings can prove to be dangerous to construction, demolition and salvage workers. O’Brien also pointed out that there is no basis for refusing to use more secure substitutes in construction work instead of lead. The CSC is convinced that HSE needs to reassess its existing levels of lead use as quickly as possible based on these new discoveries and approve its safer alternative proposal.

After the new discoveries were revealed by Hazards magazine, a HSE spokesperson has spoken to Workplace Law and has stated that HSE rules and legislations dealing with lead completely adhere to the EU regulations. The spokesperson added that HSE takes into account all new developments while deciding standards and guidelines for employers and workers on any hazardous substance, including lead, so that the protective practices are sufficient.

For anyone involved in major building, maintenance or refurbishment work compliance with Construction (Design and Management) Regulations is compulsory. Click CDMC for advice and assistance in the necessary measures to ensure organisations are aware of their health and safety obligations and remain compliant with CDM Regulations.