Women Could Lose Jobs at UK’s Oldest Stained Glass Studio After Lead Safety Proposal

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, August 1, 2026

The UK Health and Safety Executive is proposing to lower the allowable blood lead levels for women of reproductive age, which could force female workers at the York Glaziers’ Trust to face suspensions or restrictions due to elevated lead exposure. This regulatory change highlights a conflict between protecting worker health and preserving employment in specialized crafts involving hazardous materials, with the final outcome still under review.

Women employed at the United Kingdom’s oldest stained glass studio face potential job losses following proposed changes to lead exposure limits by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE is considering reducing the allowable blood lead levels for women of reproductive age, a move that could lead to suspensions or restrictions for those working with lead-containing materials.

Currently, the limit for lead in the bloodstream is set at 60 micrograms per decilitre for most adults, with a lower threshold of 30 micrograms per decilitre for pre-menopausal women due to concerns about fetal health risks. The proposed revision would sharply lower this limit to 7.5 micrograms per decilitre for women who could become pregnant. Under these new guidelines, several female conservators at York Glaziers’ Trust, responsible for maintaining the stained glass at York Minster, would exceed the permissible levels. One such employee, Hannah Page, reportedly has a blood lead concentration of 8 micrograms per decilitre, placing her above the proposed limit.

Page expressed apprehension about the impact of the rule change on her employment, stating that it could lead to her suspension despite her decision not to have children. She described the adjustment as infringing on her personal autonomy and employment rights.

The HSE justified the proposal by highlighting that the Control of Lead at Work Regulations have not been updated in over two decades. Advances in scientific understanding suggest that reducing lead exposure even further could improve health outcomes. A spokesperson acknowledged the concerns raised by workers within heritage and craft industries, noting that the agency has engaged with these sectors to assess the potential effects of the new standards.

The discussion reflects broader tensions between occupational health policies aimed at protecting vulnerable populations and the impact such regulations may have on individual workers and specialized crafts requiring exposure to hazardous materials. As consultations continue, the fate of employees like those at York Glaziers’ Trust remains uncertain.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.