Health and Safety

Lead in its metallic state does not present a health risk provided that a few simple precautions are followed:

• Apply a hand barrier cream before carrying out any work with lead.
• Wear appropriate personal protection equipment including gloves whenever handling lead. Wear a close-fitting FFP2 mask when cutting lead or sweeping a lead storage area.
• Welding or soldering with lead should only be done outdoors or in well-ventilated area. Ideally an air-fed respirator should be used for processes where lead fumes will be generated.
• Wear suitable safety shoes with a protective toe-cap when handling or moving lead items.
• Always wash your hands and forearms as soon as you finish handling lead and before you do anything else. This applies even when wearing gloves.
• Contaminated workwear should be stored and washed separately to prevent cross-contamination. Wash your hands after removing or handling contaminated workwear.
• Re-usable PPE such as air-fed respirators should be cleaned regularly.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke after handling lead until you have washed your hands.
• When sweeping a Lead storage area, wear a protective dust mask and damp down any dust

Calder can provide you with full product safety information when required. In addition, information on how to work safely with lead has been prepared by Lead Sheet Training Academy (LSTA), providing useful information and guidance on working safely with lead sheet in construction.