The latest results were released on March 18th, 2009 and represent the analysis of blood lead measurements taken over the period from 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008.

The key facts for 2007/08 are:

• 8,069 workers under medical surveillance.
• Smelting, refining, alloying and casting, the lead battery industry and manufacture of inorganic and organic compounds, were the three industry sectors that account for the majority of males working with lead.
• The lead battery sector, the metallic lead and lead containing alloys sector and the smelting, refining, alloying and casting sector, were the three industry sectors that account for the majority of females working with lead.
• 29 male workers were suspended from work; no female workers were suspended during the same time period.

Lead poisoning is a medical condition caused by excessive exposure to and absorption of lead. Symptoms of lead poisoning are varied and can occur in other medical conditions. Exposure to lead can lead to a range of medical problems, which is why a regime of surveillance of workers in lead industries is under taken. The vast majority of individuals with blood lead levels above the suspension level and who are suspended from lead work do not have lead poisoning, but they are removed from further exposure to lead to prevent them developing the condition.

Surveillance involves a doctor or nurse taking a blood sample to measure the amount of lead it contains. This is measured as a number in micrograms of lead for each decilitre (or 100 millilitres) of blood. Serious ill health problems rarely occur unless people have at least 100 micrograms of lead in one decilitre of their blood (this is usually written as 100µg/dl). The doctor may also want to test a sample of urine for the effects of lead.

If the amount of lead in the blood reaches 50µg/dl – which is known as the action level, the employer must take action to reduce it to or below that level. This may involve control measures and checking that they are working properly, making sure that proper hygiene procedures are being followed and consulting the doctor about any additional protective measures. If, despite all the control measures, blood lead level reaches 60µg/dl – which is known as the suspension level – the doctor must repeat the test and if confirmed advise that the employee should not carry on working with lead. (Lower action and suspension levels apply for some employees, specifically women capable of having children and young people under 18). The employer must act on the doctors decision and offer the employee other suitable work that does not expose the employee to lead or in the absence of suitable work, suspend the employee on full pay.