Code of practice: Lead

What it contains

If your work involves lead processes, there are specific duties and obligations you need to comply with under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS Act) 2004 and Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHS Regulations) 2017.

On 1 July 2005, the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985 was repealed and replaced by the OHS Act. The OHS Act does not provide for making codes of practice. Therefore, complying with a code of practice may not necessarily mean compliance with a duty under the new Act.

This code of practice has been made available as a source of practical guidance, and will contribute to industry state of knowledge and assist those who must comply with health and safety laws.

This information is particularly relevant for you if you’re an employer, self-employed person or employee at a workplace where lead processes are carried out. It is also relevant for health and safety representatives at these workplaces. It uses examples and tools you can apply to your own situation.

It includes information on:

• what lead processes are
• the duties for employers working with lead processes
• how to assess the risks to health from lead exposure
• how to control risks associated with lead exposure
• additional requirements for controlling lead-related risks
• medical examinations and biological monitoring
• the duties for employees working with lead processes

Amendments to the regulations for working with lead

Amendments to Part 4.3 (Lead) of the OHS Regulations came into effect on 5 June 2020.

For example, changes were made to:

• the airborne lead exposure standard
• the definition of lead-risk work
• requirements for the frequency of biological monitoring
• blood lead level thresholds for removal from, and return to, lead-risk work.

For information on the amended requirements see the guidance Lead: A guidebook for workplaces