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NSW Resources

Health-related notifications and authorisations

Use of prohibited carcinogens

Health monitoring must be undertaken by workers who perform work with lead or lead processes that are likely to cause excessive lead exposure.  The purpose of health monitoring for lead is to identify changes in the worker’s health status because of exposure to lead substances.  This monitoring must be arranged in accordance with the frequencies published in the WHS Regulation.

Health monitoring for lead risk work may include:

  • consultation, for example, answering questions regarding previous occupational and medical history or lifestyle, for example dietary, smoking and drinking habits and discussing with the worker how this may affect their health
  • clinical tests, for example, blood samples
     

Lead risk work

'Lead risk work' involves working with lead in a process that is likely to cause lead levels in a worker's blood to exceed healthy limits. These limits are:

  • 5 μg/dL (0.24 μmol/L) blood lead level for a female of reproductive capacity
  • 20 μg/dL (0.97 μmol/L) blood lead level in any other case.

Lead risk work is found in various industries, including mining. 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
  • gold refining
  • foundry processes, 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.
     

More information on this can be found in the legislation, and the Safe Work Australia website.

Notification of lead risk work

All persons conducting or undertaking a business 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 established. 

Mine operators or a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must notify the Regulator where and when lead risk work is being undertaken. The Notification of lead risk work form (DOCX, 108.58 KB) must be submitted at least seven days before lead risk work begins. Forms should be emailed to cau@regional.nsw.gov.au. Each form is valid for the duration of the lead risk work. 

Refer to the Guide – Notification of lead risk work in relation to a mine or petroleum site (PDF, 455.61 KB) before submitting the form.

View the Fact sheet - Lead risk work notifications (PDF, 125.26 KB).

Notification of the removal of a worker from lead risk work

Health monitoring must be undertaken by a 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 worker's test results exceed the prescribed levels (see below)
  • 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).

Blood lead levels for removal of workers from lead risk work

A worker must be removed from lead risk work when biological monitoring shows the worker's blood level is, or more than:

  • 10 μg/dL (0.48 μmol/L) for females of reproductive capacity
  • 30 μg/dL (1.45 μmol/L) for females not of reproductive capacity and males.

The worker may then only return to lead risk work if the medical practitioner is satisfied that the worker is fit to return and the worker’s blood lead level is less than:

  • 5 µg/dL (0.24 µmol/L) for females of reproductive capacity
  • 20 µg/dL (0.97 µmol/L) for females not of reproductive capacity and males.

If a worker must be removed from doing lead work then you must complete the Notification of a worker removed from lead risk work form (DOCX, 77.9 KB) and email to cau@regional.nsw.gov.au 

Refer to the Guide – Notification of lead risk work in relation to a mine or petroleum site (PDF, 455.61 KB) before submitting the form.
View the Fact sheet - Lead risk work notifications (PDF, 125.26 KB).

Notification of adverse health monitoring reports – mine lung dust diseases

Mine operators also have a duty to notify the Resources Regulator of adverse health monitoring reports in accordance with clause 376 of the NSW Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.

Notification to the Regulator is required in the event that a worker receives a health monitoring report which indicates the worker may have contracted a disease due to exposure to airborne contaminants (e.g. pneumoconiosis, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or where a health monitoring report recommends remedial measures, including whether a worker can continue to carry out work in an environment where they may be exposed to airborne contaminants. 

To notify the Regulator of an adverse health monitoring report for mine lung dust diseases complete the Adverse health monitoring section (Notification of adverse health monitoring report in relation to a mine or petroleum site) online form under the Safety and Health Reporting section of the Regulator Portal.

Authorisation for use of prohibited carcinogens

Under section 380 and 381 of the WHS Regulation 2017, authorisation is required:

  • to use, handle or store a prohibited carcinogen referred to in Schedule 10, Table 10.1, column 2 of the WHS Regulation; and
  • to use handle or store a restricted carcinogen referred to in Schedule 10, Table 10.2, column 2 of the WHS Regulation. 

To apply for authorisation read the Authorisation to use, handle or store prohibited or restricted carcinogens guide (PDF, 177.6 KB) and complete the Application for authorisation to use carcinogens form (DOCX, 94.5 KB).