Health and Safety Policy Arrangements – Lead
Lead, commonly used in paints, roofing, and other construction materials, poses significant health risks, including lead poisoning, which can cause serious neurological and physical health issues. As a small business owner in the UK, it’s vital to manage these risks in compliance with the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002. This involves conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential lead exposure and implementing control measures such as using lead-free alternatives, ensuring proper ventilation, and providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, it is crucial to provide training for employees on the hazards of lead and safe working practices, as well as conducting regular health surveillance to monitor lead levels in workers’ blood. By effectively managing the use of lead in your business, you can protect your employees’ health, ensure legal compliance, and maintain a safer working environment.
Take a look at the information below for things you might want to include in your own H&S policy…
Feel free to copy / paste this list, and you can find out more about our full H&S policy here.
The [Proprietor / Directors] of [My Company] will ensure that;
- Use of lead will be avoided wherever possible by using a suitable alternative.
- Where lead is used, operatives will be provided with suitable information, instruction and training. The method of work will be written so as to avoid / minimise contact with the lead and generation of lead dust and/or fumes.
- Where work with lead is required, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment will be carried out by a competent person. The risk assessment will include inhalation of fumes / smoke, ingestion / absorption of lead into the body and fire hazards (during welding).
- Any control measures identified in the above assessments will be put in place to prevent, reduce or control risks to personnel and/or others.
- The results/outcomes of any/all of the above assessments and any method statements, written procedures, safe systems of work, permits to work, control measures, PPE requirements, etc. produced from the above assessment will be communicated to the relevant personnel, who will also receive any training required to ensure that the outcomes of the above assessments are met.
- Any personal Protective Equipment selected and supplied as a last resort control measure will be assessed as to ensure its suitability to; the person, the task, the environment, combinations of PPE, etc.
- Specific assessments will be carried out for young persons, persons with disabilities and new or expectant mothers.
- All the above assessments and subsequent control measures will be regularly monitored and reviewed as appropriate, taking into account new materials, equipment, legislation, work practices etc.
- Operatives working with lead will be placed under a health surveillance programme (Ref 4.1g. Health Surveillance). They will also be provided with training in the identification of illness associated with lead.
- Suitable and sufficient welfare facilities will be provided including wash rooms and changing rooms. Clothing contaminated with lead will be left on site and laundered if necessary or disposed of.
- Any work being undertaken which involves the cutting or welding of lead will be risk assessed and carried out in a suitable area. Such areas will have suitable ventilation to prevent build-up of gases. (Ref 4.2x. Hot Works)
- All incidents of lead poisoning will be recorded, investigated and reported under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013.
Our minimum health and safety performance standards will be obtained from; but not restricted to;
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
- L132 – Control of Lead at Work
- Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013
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