SafeWork SA plan to reduce occupational lead exposure

A proactive compliance campaign focusing on lead risk work was launched early this week in South Australia.

SafeWork SA said inspectors will visit businesses in metropolitan and regional areas on 4 July 2022 to ensure workers are protected from lead exposure.

The safety watchdog added that Persons Conducting Businesses or Undertakings (PCBU) will also be educated to ensure they know their work health and safety obligations and how to appropriately manage lead exposure risks.

SafeWork SA said, “Exposure to lead has the potential to cause adverse health effects. Lead can be inhaled through dust or fumes or swallowed through eating contaminated food.”

“Lead risk work is work in a lead process which is likely to cause a worker’s blood lead level to exceed 5µg/dL (0.24µmol/L) for a female of reproductive capacity, or 20µg/dL (0.97µmol/L) for other cases.”

Read the full story on the SafeWork SA website.