Over recent months, the Institute of Conservation (Icon) has continued to work closely with stained glass conservators, heritage institutions, businesses, MPs, and government ministers regarding the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) proposed changes to lead legislation and the potential impact these could have on the stained glass community in the UK.
As mentioned in previous issues, the HSE proposed new lead legislation to be implemented in the UK from October 2027 and opened a public consultation, which ran between March and June 2026.
While Icon and the wider community fully support a review of the current legislation, it became clear from the outset that the proposed changes represent a significant overcorrection and could pose an existential threat to the stained glass sector.
While the consultation has now closed and we are waiting further updates from HSE, Icon and the working party’s focus has been on ensuring that momentum is kept up, and communications are continued across different channels. Icon has engaged with members of the community, gathered feedback and data, shared information, and participated in discussions with multiple representatives of the industry, as well as direct communications with HSE, members of parliament and the media.
Icon additionally facilitated a visit of HSE senior officials to the York Glaziers Trust in July which highlighted the essential role of lead in preserving historic stained glass and the sector’s strong health and safety culture. During discussions and tours, conservators demonstrated the extensive controls already in place, including PPE, training, monitoring and workplace improvements, while raising concerns that the proposed lower blood-lead thresholds could place many workers into ‘action’ or ‘suspension’ categories despite safe working practices. Particular concern was expressed about the potential impact on women in the profession. The visit was constructive and collaborative, with HSE committing to ongoing engagement with Icon and the wider sector as the consultation progresses, while both organisations continue to advocate for policies that protect conservators and the heritage they safeguard. The Director of the YGT has also been interviewed by local and national press, and the BBC coverage of the story was shared, liked and commented on by thousands of people.
Members of the Icon working party and the wider stained glass community have also been actively researching additional health and safety measures, methods, techniques, and equipment to further reduce lead absorption and enhance protection for conservators and artists. Improved extraction systems, advanced personal protective equipment (PPE), and specialist detergents are among the measures that many studios are exploring or implementing to ensure that the already low exposure levels within their teams are reduced even further.
Icon’s main aim has been, and remains, to raise awareness of the potential consequences of the proposals while encouraging constructive, evidence-based dialogue between the stained glass sector and the HSE. Throughout this process, Icon has sought to support a balanced approach that protects conservators’ health while recognising the importance of protecting essential heritage skills and ensuring the future of both stained glass conservation and the creation of new stained glass work for many years to come.
For further information on the proposed changes, you can visit https://consultations.hse.gov.uk/hse/control-lead-at-work-regs-2002-exposure-guidance/ or https://www.icon.org.uk/resource/icon-raises-concerns-over-hse-proposed-changes-to-the-control-of-lead-at-work-regulations-2022.html
If you are concerned about the severity of the proposed changes and the impact they will have on UK built heritage, traditional crafts, as well as the employment of women and long-service employees in the heritage industry, please consider contacting your local MP and invite them to investigate this issue and escalate it to Parliament level. Government pressure will be instrumental in ensuring that our voices are heard and that important international heritage is not left to decay because of these sweeping sea-changes.