These Regulations re-enact, with modifications, the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (S.R. 1998 No. 281) (“the 1998 Regulations”). The 1998 Regulations imposed requirements for the protection of employees who might be exposed to lead at work and of other persons who might be affected by such work and also imposed certain duties on employees concerning their own protection from such exposure.

The Regulations, with the exception of regulations 4, 7, 8, 9(2) and (3) and 10(7) and (11) to (15), implement as respects Northern Ireland Council Directive 98/24/EC (O.J. No. L131, 5.5.98, p. 11) on the protection of the health and safety of workers from risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) insofar as it relates to risks to health from exposure to lead.

In addition to minor and drafting amendments, the Regulations make changes of substance so as to–

In Great Britain the corresponding Regulations are the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/2676). The Great Britain Health and Safety Executive has prepared a regulatory impact assessment in respect of these Regulations and a copy of that assessment, together with a Northern Ireland Supplement prepared by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland is held at the offices of that Executive at 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast BT6 9FR from where a copy may be obtained on request.

A person who contravenes the Regulations is guilty of an offence under Article 31 of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978 and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum (currently £5,000) or, on conviction on indictment, to a fine.