Bendigo Laboratory Fined $10,000 Over Lead Testing Failures

What happened?

A Bendigo laboratory has been fined $10,000 after failing to arrange mandatory follow-up blood tests for two workers who were carrying out lead-risk work.

On Site Laboratory Services Pty Ltd was sentenced in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to breaching Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. The company was fined without conviction and ordered to pay $4,259 in costs.

How the breach occurred

Between June and September 2024, two employees carried out fire assay testing, a process used to determine the metal content of mineral samples. Fire assay involves the use of lead, making it classified as lead-risk work under Victorian regulations.

Routine blood tests showed both workers had lead levels that triggered a legal requirement for additional biological monitoring.

However, WorkSafe inspectors later found the company had failed to arrange the required follow-up blood tests within the prescribed timeframes, leaving the workers at risk of ongoing lead exposure without appropriate health monitoring.

Why lead exposure is so dangerous

Lead is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems, particularly after repeated exposure.

According to WorkSafe Victoria, lead exposure can result in:

• Brain and nerve damage
• Kidney disease
• Cancer
• Paralysis
• Reduced fertility
• Birth defects affecting unborn children

Many of these conditions develop gradually, which is why regular health monitoring is a critical part of working safely with lead.

Employers have legal responsibilities

Victorian employers whose workers perform lead-risk work must meet strict legal obligations, including:

• Notifying WorkSafe when lead-risk work is undertaken
• Arranging biological monitoring at required intervals
• Reviewing workers’ blood lead levels
• Removing workers from lead-risk duties if blood lead levels exceed legal thresholds
• Keeping accurate health monitoring records

These requirements are designed to detect exposure early and prevent long-term health problems.

A reminder for workplaces

This case shows that workplace safety isn’t only about preventing immediate injuries. Monitoring workers’ health is just as important when dealing with hazardous substances like lead.

Missing a scheduled blood test might seem like an administrative oversight, but it can delay the detection of dangerous exposure levels and put workers at unnecessary risk.

Businesses working with hazardous chemicals should regularly review their health monitoring programs to ensure they remain compliant with workplace safety laws.

TL;DR

• On Site Laboratory Services Pty Ltd was fined $10,000 after failing to arrange mandatory follow-up blood tests for two workers performing lead-risk work.
• The workers were involved in fire assay testing, which exposes workers to lead.
• WorkSafe found the required biological monitoring was not carried out within the legal timeframes.
• Lead exposure can cause serious long-term health conditions including cancer, kidney damage and neurological disorders.
• Employers performing lead-risk work must ensure workers receive regular health monitoring and are removed from lead-risk duties if blood lead levels exceed prescribed limits.

Source: WorkSafe Victoria, “Bendigo lab fined $10,000 over lead testing failures”, 1 July 2026.