Guidelines for the Management of Lead-based Paint

Published online: 
01 September 2013
Guidelines for the Management of Lead-based Paint.

Summary

Information on handling lead-based paint and avoiding lead poisoning for painting contractors, property owners/managers, safety and health practitioners.

Note: these guidelines were published in 2013. The content on removal of lead-based paint is still relevant. However, since that time some of the legislation referred to in the guidelines has changed.

  • The blood lead absorption notification level in Section B of Schedule 1 of the Health Act was changed in April 2021. The level was reduced from 0.48 (or greater) micromoles per litre (µmol/l) to 0.24 µmol/l (or greater). This is the level at which health practitioners and medical laboratories must report blood tests to the local medical officer of health. Public health units will follow-up and manage notifications of suspected non-occupational exposure. Suspected workplace exposures are to be reported by medical officers of health to WorkSafe New Zealand for follow-up. The reference on pages 11 and 27 of the guidelines to 0.48 micromoles per litre should read to 0.24 micromoles per litre (or 5 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dl)).
  • Text on the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is outdated. This legislation was repealed and replaced with the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, which requires employers to provide a safe working environment for employees. Employees and self-employed people are also required to protect themselves and others from harm. This includes contractors. Information of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 is available on the WorkSafe website. For more information, please contact WorkSafe New Zealand.

The Ministry and WorkSafe New Zealand will update the guidelines in due course.
 

Publishing information

  • Date of publication:
    01 September 2013
  • ISBN:
    978-0-478-19359-6 (print); 978-0-478-19360-2 (online)
  • Citation:
    Ministry of Health and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. 2013. Guidelines for the Management of Lead-based Paint. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
  • Ordering information:
    Only soft copy available to download
  • Copyright status:

    Owned by the Ministry of Health and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.

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