Safe Work Australia is seeking feedback on a proposal to reduce the aluminium (welding fumes) workplace exposure standard (WES).
Exposure to welding fumes is known to cause several health disorders and is suspected of causing many more.
These can include cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, infection and ‘metal fume fever’, a flu-like illness caused by exposure to welding fumes.
Safe Work Australia has published a review that recommends a reduction to the WES for such fumes from an 8-hour time weighted average of 5mg/m3 to 1mg/m3.
“This proposed reduction is intended to better protect workers from adverse health effects from exposure to aluminium welding fumes,” Safe Work Australia said.
In the mining industry, electric arc welding is a critical part of a mine’s everyday functioning.
This welding technique is widely used in industry due to its versatility and reliability, and because it allows welders to create strong bonds between different metal parts.
Potentially dangerous fumes form when metal heats above its boiling point. As these fumes cool down, they condense into tiny particles, small enough to be inhaled into the lungs.
Some welding fumes are visible, appearing like smoke or a mist, but many fumes are invisible and can only be detected using special equipment.
It’s crucial to use effective ventilation systems and personal protective equipment (PPE) like respirators and welding helmets to minimise exposure to these harmful fumes and UV radiation.
Submissions to Safe Work Australia will inform recommendations about the proposed reduction to work health and safety (WHS) ministers.
Submissions will close on Friday 28 February 2025.
You can decide how or if your submission is published on the Consultation Hub by choosing from the following options:
- Submission published with your name, your organisation’s name, or a pseudonym
- Submission published anonymously
- Submission not published
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