Multiple workers exposed to lead (8 July 2025)

In January 2025 SafeWork NSW was notified of elevated blood lead levels in workers from the same workplace. The workplace was notified, and further testing showed more workers had elevated blood lead levels.

Inside a warehouse with yellow brick walls, piles of black and red cables are scattered on the ground. On the left, the back of a worker wearing a high-visibility vest is visible.
Five large industrial cable cut in half, revealing contaminated lead inside. The cables are stacked in a row on the ground.

Photos of workplace showing cables that contained lead or were contaminated with lead

                                                             

Safety information

Exposure to lead can cause headaches, stomach pains and anaemia - or worse, damage to the kidneys, nerves or brain, infertility and even death. Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working with lead.

Ensure:

  • you identify if lead presents in any form in your workplace
  • you Identify if any of the work conducted would be a lead process
  • the risk of lead exposure is eliminated or if not possible minimised by implementing effective control measures to prevent lead related health problems
  • workers are provided information on the risks and health effects of working with lead before beginning any lead process
  • Safework NSW is notified of the lead risk work  occurring at the worksite
  • details are provided to workers about health monitoring and the need for health monitoring
  • containment of lead within the workplace is limited to a lead process area
  • personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided to workers including:
    • respirators that are fit tested and appropriate to the individual workers and work tasks
    • coveralls
    • gloves and boots
    • hair protection, and
    • eye protection.
  • there is a decontamination area where contaminated PPE is removed and appropriately cleaned or disposed of
  • a separate dining area, wash basins, shower and toilet facilities are available, away from the lead work area
  • emergency procedures are in place
  • If biological monitoring returns blood lead levels of more than 30µg/dL (1.45µmol/L) for males or females not of reproductive capacity or 10µg/dL (0.48µmol/L) for females of reproductive capacity that those workers are removed from lead risk work and Safework NSW is notified.

Related guidance material

Further information

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