Lead exposure testing failures land Bendigo lab $10K fine

Sentenced in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on 23 June, a Bendigo lab has been fined $10,000 without conviction and ordered to pay $4259 in costs after pleading guilty to failing to arrange for biological monitoring of two workers engaged in lead-risk work at the required intervals.

Between June and September 2024, the two workers conducted lead processing works when using a fire assay to determine the content of core mineral samples sent to the workplace, the court heard. The workers underwent blood tests during this time and the results triggered a requirement under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations for further testing.

The lab had failed to arrange follow-up blood tests within the set timeframes, putting the workers’ ongoing health at risk, WorkSafe Victoria inspectors found when visiting the workplace.

“The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations impose legal responsibilities on employers and employees in relation to lead exposure in workplaces where lead processes are carried out, and further obligations when lead-risk work is being performed,” WorkSafe Victoria advised.

“This includes notifying WorkSafe that lead-risk work is being undertaken, arranging health monitoring of employees, and removing employees from lead-risk work if their blood-lead levels reach certain thresholds.

“Lead-risk work is defined as work performed in a lead process that is reasonably likely to cause an employee’s blood-lead levels to exceed those specified in the regulations.

“WorkSafe’s Compliance Code provides practical guidance for controlling risks associated with lead exposure in the workplace, including requirements for lead-risk work and lead processes.”

WorkSafe Victoria Chief Health and Safety Officer Sam Jenkin said: “Exposure to lead in the workplace can cause a range of illnesses including cancer, kidney damage, nerve and brain damage, paralysis, reduced fertility, and birth defects in children.”

“When working with lead, safety must always be the first priority and WorkSafe has an abundance of practical guidance to help employers follow the correct procedures.”

WorkSafe Victoria resources include:

• Lead: safety basics
• Lead at work: legal duties
• Are you performing lead-risk work?
• Compliance code: lead
   

Image credit: iStock.com/filo