LEAD EXPOSURE MONITORING & ASSESSMENT
Lead is a toxic metal that enters the body mainly by breathing in lead dust or fume, or by swallowing it from contaminated hands, food or cigarettes. Exposure is common in battery manufacturing and recycling, smelting and foundries, scrap metal and demolition, paint removal, soldering, glazing and some mining operations.
Lead builds up in the body over time and can damage the nervous system, kidneys, blood and reproductive health.
WHY IS LEAD EXPOSURE A RISK?
Lead harms health long before symptoms appear, and blood lead results only show what has already been absorbed.
Air monitoring shows where exposure is coming from and whether controls such as extraction, wet methods, hygiene facilities and respiratory protection are working.
Employers are legally required to assess and control employee exposure to lead in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (85 of 1993); Lead Regulations, 2001; Mine Health and Safety Act (29 of 1996), where applicable.
The exposure assessment must be repeated at intervals not exceeding two years, and where exposure exceeds half the occupational exposure limit for lead, air monitoring is required at least every 12 months.
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
OUR SOLUTION
Qualitas Occupational Consulting is a Department of Employment and Labour Approved Inspection Authority (AIA) and a SANAS-accredited (ISO/IEC 17020) inspection body for lead.
We measure employee exposure to airborne lead using recognised sampling methods and accredited laboratory analysis.
Results are reported against the occupational exposure limit with clear, practical recommendations.
- Identification of lead sources, processes and exposed employees, Personal air sampling in the breathing zone, Laboratory analysis by an accredited laboratory, Comparison of results against the occupational exposure limit for lead, Review of existing controls, hygiene facilities and respiratory protection, Practical recommendations to reduce exposure
Clients receive a professional, audit-ready report to support compliance and medical surveillance.
WHAT THE SURVEY INCLUDES
- How often is it required?
Lead falls under the Lead Regulations, 2001, not the HCA Regulations. The exposure assessment is repeated at intervals not exceeding two years (regulation 6). Where exposure exceeds half the lead limit, air monitoring is needed at least every 12 months by an approved lead inspection authority (regulation 7).
What does the report contain?
Personal airborne lead results against the limit, laboratory certificates, a review of controls, and recommendations to support medical surveillance.
What must we prepare?
A list of lead processes and exposed employees, and normal production on the day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Protect your employees from lead exposure and stay compliant. Contact us for an obligation-free quotation or consultation.
