HSE investigates suspected lead poisoning during £800k renovation of Perthshire mansion

Workers have been struck down by a bout of suspected lead poisoning while renovating a Perthshire mansion.

Work on was halted after several construction workers, thought to be Eastern Europeans, required hospital treatment after working on the site.

Aberfeldy-based Blairish Restorations won the £800,000 contract last month to modernise and renovate the baronial mansion of Findynate Estate near Strathtay.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has confirmed that it is investigating the incident. A spokesperson told the Perthshire Advertiser: “A number of construction workers appeared to have raised levels of lead absorption.

“They had been working with lead paint. A lot of it was used in the olden days - this led to the incident and work was stopped.”

The HSE has briefed Blairish Restorations staff, and a spokesperson confirmed that a “safe system of work” is now in place to enable work to continue.

The huge Highlands site was sold last year to a Dutch construction mogul for £8m - double its asking price.

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