Control of lead within the workplace

There are a number of industries where the use of lead gives rise to substantial exposure of individuals in the workplace. Such exposure may be via inhalation, ingestion or skin absorption, the latter being important only in the case of lead alkyls. 

In a recent document, the UK Health and Safety Commission defines two classes of lead worker those whose exposure is considered significant and those whose is not [17]. Exposure is considered significant if workers are exposed to (a) levels of airborne lead which are liable to be in excess of one half of the industrial hygiene standard (see later), (b) a substantial risk of ingesting lead or (c) any risk of skin contact with concentrated lead alkyls. Work which is regarded as significant appears in Table 5.11 and that which is insignificant is in Table 5.12. 

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