Your input is vital to ensure that our response accurately represents current working conditions, existing mitigation measures, and realistic targets for safe and sustainable practice in the heritage sector.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) plans to revise the thresholds for lead exposure, following growing evidence that even low levels of lead in the blood can pose significant health risks. While we fully support efforts to reduce exposure wherever possible, these proposed changes could have serious implications for the heritage and conservation sector, where lead use is often unavoidable.
We are concerned that the proposed reductions may not be achievable in conservation-restoration contexts where alternatives to lead do not exist - for example, in stained glass, metals, and built heritage conservation. Even with the most rigorous mitigation measures, the proposed levels appear unattainable in practice. We are also concerned that the new thresholds could have a disproportionate impact on women, potentially making it difficult or impossible for them to continue in certain roles. While such measures may be suitable for the wider construction sector, they are not appropriate for conservation work.
The HSE is expected to launch a formal consultation on these changes in late 2025. To ensure that the heritage sector’s response is informed, evidence-based, and representative, we need robust data on current exposure levels, existing control measures, and realistic alternative recommendations.
We are therefore asking practitioners to complete a short survey by Friday 28 November. Your input will help us develop a strong, data-driven response that reflects the realities of conservation work and supports achievable, evidence-based regulation.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at [email protected].
All data will be treated confidentially. Identifiable information will not be shared. The aim of this survey is to understand the sector’s overall position, not to judge individual practice.