Course Duration: 30+ minutes
This IIRSM-approved course helps workers recognise and manage the risks of lead exposure. Providing this awareness is essential for compliance with the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW).
Trainees first learn where lead is found, how it affects the body and common oversights that increase the risk of exposure. They then explore practical steps to protect themselves and others when working, including what to do in the event of exposure.
| Course Duration | 30+ minutes |
|---|---|
| Approval body | IIRSM |
| Format | Fully online |
| Assessment | Multiple choice |
| Certification | Same-day digital certificate |
| Certificate Valid For | 3 years |
This course contains the following sections:
Explains what lead is, where it’s still found and why it remains a serious risk in many work environments.
Sets out duties under CLAW for both employers and employees.
Describes how lead enters the body through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact during everyday work tasks.
Highlights the health effects of lead, ranging from short-term symptoms to long-term damage to organs and the nervous system.
Covers effective risk controls, including ventilation, wet methods, task design and access restrictions.
Outlines safe hygiene practices and provides awareness of how personal protective equipment (PPE) and respiratory protective equipment (RPE) can be used to prevent exposure.
Provides clear steps to follow after suspected exposure, including what to document for compliance.
The course certificate includes:
An IIRSM-approved certificate will be available for download and printing instantly upon course completion.
Users must complete a final theory test before earning their certificate.
The end-of-course test is:
A score of 80% is required to pass.
Lead is a widespread and often overlooked hazard. Workers handling pipework, roofing, batteries, car parts and older paints and electronics are all at risk of exposure. And the health risks are serious.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 5,000 workers in Great Britain are currently under medical surveillance for lead exposure, and some have blood lead levels high enough to require medical intervention.
Because the consequences of lead exposure are severe, employers have a legal duty under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW) to manage exposure risks. Compliance requires providing suitable lead hazard awareness training.
Support your duties with this online Lead Awareness course. It builds essential awareness of lead risks and control measures. Workers will be better equipped to recognise when lead may be present, follow safe systems of work and respond appropriately to suspected exposure.
Every trainee who completes the course receives an IIRSM-approved certificate, providing clear evidence of training for clients, contractors and inspectors.
The purpose of awareness training is to help workers recognise specific hazards and understand how to manage them safely. A lead awareness course supports this by building knowledge of how lead exposure happens, what control measures to follow and how to respond to potential incidents. It helps organisations protect their workforce, meet legal duties and avoid delays linked to unmanaged lead risks.
Employers have a legal duty under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 (CLAW) to assess and manage lead exposure risks. This includes identifying where lead may be present, carrying out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, and implementing control measures to reduce exposure. Employers must also provide appropriate information, instruction and training, and arrange health surveillance where required.
Lead exposure can cause a range of serious health problems. Short-term effects may include fatigue, nausea and abdominal pain, while long-term exposure can lead to kidney damage, nerve disorders and cognitive impairment. Because lead accumulates in the body over time, even low-level exposure can become hazardous without proper controls in place.
The course certificate for this IIRSM-approved Lead Awareness Training is valid for 3 years. After this period, it’s necessary to retake the training to renew your certification and refresh your knowledge.
Developing a system that aligns, builds and measures competence with every role for safer work.
