Lead notifications

You must notify us if the work is likely to cause lead levels in a worker’s blood to exceed healthy levels.

Lead risk work involves handling levels of lead that is likely to cause lead levels in a worker's blood to exceed health limits.

This is generally considered anything above:

  • 10 µ/dL (0.48 µmol/L) for a female of reproductive capacity
  • 30 µg/dL (1.45 µmol/L) for all other workers.

You also need to notify us if a worker needs to be removed from working with lead.

Lead risk work is found in various industries, including:

  • shipbuilding
  • manufacturing
  • demolition.

Examples of processes involving lead include:

  • dry lead compounds, lead batteries or pasting or casting lead
  • spraying molten lead metal or alloys containing lead metal
  • foundry process, melting or casting lead alloys
  • recovering lead ore, oxides or other compounds
  • grinding, discing, buffing or cutting alloys containing lead
  • welding, cutting or cleaning metal coated with lead or lead paint
  • radiator repairs
  • fire assays if lead, lead compounds or lead alloys are used
  • spray painting with lead paint
  • removing paint containing lead
  • handling waste containing lead
  • detonators or other explosives that contain lead
  • firing weapons at an indoor firing range

More information on this can be found in the legislation as well as in our guide on lead notifications.

All lead notifications are free.

Notification of lead risk work

You must assess each lead process to determine whether lead risk work is being carried out.

If you cannot determine whether lead risk work is being carried out, then the process is taken to include lead risk work until otherwise and you must notify us.

The notification of lead risk work form must be submitted to us at least seven days before lead work begins.  Each form is valid for the duration of the lead risk work.

Notification of the removal of a worker from lead risk work

Health monitoring must be provided to the worker before lead risk work commences and one month after commencement.

For workers who perform ongoing lead work, biological monitoring must be arranged in accordance with the frequencies published in the WHS Regulation.

A worker must be removed from the lead risk work and you must notify us when:

  • a workers test results exceed the prescribed levels
  • test results indicate that the worker may have contracted a disease, injury or illness from working with lead
  • risk control measures have failed and remedial measures need to be taken including whether the worker can continue to carry out the work (as advised by a medical practitioner in the health monitoring report).

If a worker must be removed from doing lead work then you must complete the form to notify us of the removal of a worker from lead risk work and submit this to us by:

You can also lodge the form at any of our offices.

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