The dangers of being exposed to lead have been highlighted after a metal manufacturing firm and its director were fined.
Anglia Lead, based in Norwich, admitted breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined ?10,000, with costs of ?10,556.
Furthermore, director Carlton Edwards admitted committing the same offence and was also fined ?10,000.
Norwich Magistrates Court heard that staff in the Anglia Lead plant suffered exposure to high levels of lead as they cast sheeting, which was to be sold for various uses.
Workers could have breathed in the lead dust, absorbed it into their skin or ingested it orally, the court was told.
Julie Jarvey, Health and Safety Executive inspector, said: "Exposure to lead is very serious and can be damaging to health. Lead is classified as a substance hazardous to health for good reason - when the dust or fumes are ingested or inhaled it can lead to long term ill-effects."
Last month, Ron Couch Building Contractors, based in Pontypool, was fined for carrying out unlicensed asbestos work.