Targeting dutyholders who work with, or are exposed to lead, an online survey is running until 23:59 on Wednesday 18th June 2025.
A link to the survey is - Complete the survey: Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW 2002) – and the HSE are also keen to stress that the “information you provide is for HSE’s research purposes only; it will not be used for HSE’s operational intelligence, targeting or regulatory work.”
In the UK, sources of lead exposure include lead paint, and to a lesser extent lead pipes, particularly in older properties, scrap metal processing, soldering work, working with batteries (lead acetate) and some glass making. Lead has also been found as a contaminant in certain adulterated imported goods, such as traditional medicines, cosmetics, and spices.
In Great Britain during 2023/24 (HSE figures):
- 5,094 - Lead workers were under medical surveillance;
- 11 - Lead workers were suspended from work due to excess blood-lead levels;
- 4,799 (94%) of the workers under surveillance were male and 295 (6%) female;
- The paint removal sector accounted for the highest number of males under medical surveillance during the three-year period 2021/22-2023/24;
- Work in other lead processes accounted for the highest number of females under medical surveillance during the three-year period 2021/22-2023/24;
- 30 male workers had a blood-lead level at or above 50µg/100ml recorded and 5 female workers had a blood-lead level at or above 25µg/100ml recorded.