Welding fume has been linked to multiple forms of cancer and has been classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
WHAT HAS CHANGED
In September 2023, SafeWork Australia voted to lower the Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume.
In January 2024, Work Health and Safety Ministers approved changes to Australian legislation, formally lowering the Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume in Australia from 5mg/m³ to 1mg/m³.
WHAT THIS MEANS
All Australian workplaces must now comply with the new lower limit by law. This new limit applies to welders and anyone who works around welders.
If you're an employer, it is your legal responsibility to reduce welding fume exposure to as low as reasonably practicable for all persons, not just the welder.
An employer must ensure that no person at the workplace is exposed to welding fume in an airborne concentration that exceeds the exposure standards. However, exposure standards should not be considered as representing an acceptable level of exposure to workers. Exposure standards simply establish a legal maximum upper limit.
Explore these resources to stay informed and discover how you can navigate the legislative changes.
As WA's Leading Welding Supplies and Hire Specialist we offer an extensive range of fume control solutions and are well positioned to assist with your welding fume control needs.
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