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New legislation governing exposure to lead at work came into force in April 1998. The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998 lowered the blood lead levels at which workers must be removed from work with lead. These suspension levels vary according to sex and age: for women of child-bearing age the blood-lead suspension level is 30 micrograms per decilitre of blood, for young people the level is 50 micrograms per decilitre, and for other workers, 60 micrograms per decilitre. If these blood-lead levels are exceeded, the employer must transfer the worker to other duties not involving exposure to lead, and if such work is not available the worker is entitled to up to six months pay under the Employment Rights Act 1996. The regulations also introduced new action levels below the suspension levels which, if exceeded, mean employers have a duty to investigate and remedy the cause. For women of child-bearing age the blood-lead action level is 25 micrograms per decilitre of blood, for young people the level is 40 micrograms per decilitre, and for other workers, 50 micrograms per decilitre. The HSE estimates 15,500 UK workers are exposed to lead at levels requiring blood lead levels to be measured.

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