LCA Urges Industry to Respond to Lead at Work Regs Consultation Before Deadline

The Lead Contractors Association (LCA) is calling on all sectors of the roofing industry to engage with the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consultation on changes to the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW).

This consultation, which proposes significantly lower blood lead levels for workers, represents one of the most consequential regulatory developments for the trade in decades, LCA warns.

While the LCA fully supports the ongoing improvement of occupational health standards, there is concern that the proposed changes—if implemented without sufficient industry input—could have unintended and far-reaching consequences.

On Site Practicalities

The health of lead workers must be a priority, but regulation must also reflect practical realities on site, the Association adds. Without a balanced approach, there is a risk of creating compliance frameworks that are unworkable on site, disproportionately burdensome for SMEs, and potentially disruptive to the delivery of essential roofing works.

Lowering the thresholds to the levels currently proposed in a short implementation period could result in:

• Increased frequency of medical surveillance
• Reduced availability of skilled and experienced labour
• Significant cost implications for contractors and clients
• Delays to projects, particularly in conservation and restoration sectors These are practical challenges that could reshape how our industry operates.

Why Your Voice Matters

The consultation process is a genuine opportunity for the industry to inform policy, LCA says. The organisation adds, “The HSE has explicitly invited feedback from those directly affected, and it is vital that everyone in the industry has their say. Without this input, there is a risk that decisions will be made without a full understanding of on-site realities.

“This is about ensuring that change is informed, proportionate, and workable.”

The LCA is actively engaging with the HSE and will be submitting a comprehensive response on behalf of its members. However, a collective industry response carries far greater weight, the LCA says.

“By working constructively with the regulator, we can help shape a framework that protects workers while preserving the viability of our trade,” LCA ends.

Act Before the Deadline

The full consultation document, with detailed proposals, background information and how to respond, is available on the HSE website.

View the consultation and submit comments: Consultation on The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 exposure values and associated guidance.

The consultation runs until 24 May 2026, and all members of the industry are strongly encouraged to review the proposals and submit their response before the deadline.

>> Read more about the consultation here