The law has
changed!
changed!
How did we get here?
In March 2017, the International Agency for Reserch on Cancer (IARC) reclassified welding fume as a Group 1 Carcinogen. This means that there is a direct link between exposure to welding fume and the incidence of cancer in humans.
How has the law changed in 2024?
SEPT 2023
In SEPT 2023Safe Work Australia voted to reduce the Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume
JAN 2024
In JAN 2024Work Health and Safety Ministers agreed to change legislation in Autralia.
what is the workplace exposure standard?
The workplace exposure standard is the average airborne concentration of welding fume inhaled by a worker when calculated over an 8-hour working day, over a five-day working week.
It now must not exceed 1 milligram of welding fume per cubic metre of air.
Feedback from the industry
Based on a recent surver (June 2023) conducted by Apex Welding Safety (sole agent for Speedglas in Australia):
of welders in Australia and New Zealand are still using no form of protection from welding fume
feel that welding fume is not reduced to as low as reasonably practicable at their workplace
of the industry in Australia and New Zealand, are still being exposed to welding fume with no protection
is 1mg of welding
fume per m3 safe?
As per the Safe Work website:
Exposure standards should not be considered as representing an acceptable level of exposure. They establish a statuory maximum upper limit. To comply with the WHS legislation you must take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or minimise the risks from exposure to welding fumes, not just ensuring that exposure is below the WES.
What should impacted people do?
Employers of welders
- Ensure that no person at the workplace is exposed to welding fume.
- Introduce controls to reduce exposure to welding fume to as low as reasonably practicable (under the maximum upper limit).
Welders
- Use appropriate respiratory protection - we always recommend starting with a PAPR.
- Educate yourself on the risk and understand what types of controls can be introduced to reduce exposure to welding fume.
- Involve yourself in the consultation process and selection of suitable welding fume product controls at your workplace.
People in the workplace with welders
- Be aware that even as a non-welder, being exposed to welding fume is harmful.
- Wear appropiate respiratory protection if you need to be in the vicinity of welders.
- Move your workspace aways from welders if possible.
- On-Gun Fume Extraction and Hooded Capture are two methods used to reduce welding fume exposure to all workers by capturing welding fume at the source and removing it from the environment.
What product should we use to reduce exposure for welders?
While a half mask respirator may protect you, this type of mask is always based on fit. If your fit is compromised, then your protection is compromised. Half mask respirators also require the user to be completely clean shaven at all times.
A PAPR on the other hand, doesn’t require fit testing and can be worn with a full beard.
AWS ran a study which found the Speedglas Adflo PAPR was able to reduce welding fume exposure to at least 1/2600 of the workplace air concentration
This means that the unit provided an Effective Protection Factor (EPF) of at least 2,600 times cleaner that the air around it. For reference, the RMPF (Required Minimum Protection Factor) that is required for a PAPR to be sold in Autralia is just 50.
If you had a workplace with 20mg/m3 of welding fume and divided it by the minimum effective protection factor of 2,600 from the study, welding fume exposure would be reduced to 0.0077mg/m3, taking the welder’s exposure to well below the new standard of 1mg/m3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new workplace exposure standard for welding fume in Australia?
Following a 2017 reclassification of welding fume as a Group 1 Carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Safe Work Australia voted in September 2023 to significantly reduce the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fume. As of January 2024, Work Health and Safety Ministers agreed to legislate this change. The new WES requires that the average airborne concentration of welding fume, calculated over an 8-hour working day and 5-day week, must not exceed 1 milligram per cubic metre of air. Importantly, this is a statutory maximum, not a safe target; employers are required to reduce exposure as low as reasonably practicable.
Do employers need to provide respiratory protection for welders under Australia's new WES laws?
Yes. Under the updated WHS legislation, employers must take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or minimise welder exposure to welding fume, not simply stay under the 1mg/m³ limit. This means implementing appropriate controls such as powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), on-gun fume extraction, or hooded capture systems. A PAPR is often the most effective personal protection option because, unlike half-mask respirators, it does not require fit testing and can be worn with a full beard.
How effective is the 3M Speedglas Adflo PAPR at protecting against welding fume?
A study by Apex Welding Safety found that the Adflo PAPR achieved an Effective Protection Factor (EPF) of at least 2,600 - meaning it reduced exposure to welding fume to at least 1/2,600th of the surrounding air concentration. For context, the Required Minimum Protection Factor (RMPF) for a PAPR to be sold in Australia is just 50. In a workplace with 20mg/m³ of welding fume, the Adflo would reduce a welder's exposure to approximately 0.0077mg/m³, well below the new 1mg/m³ standard.
Why are welding fumes dangerous?
Welding fumes can contain harmful metals and particles that may cause respiratory issues and long-term health problems if inhaled.
How can welders reduce exposure to welding fumes?
Using local fume extraction, working in well-ventilated areas and wearing powered air respirators such as the Speedglas Adflo PAPR system can significantly reduce welding fume exposure.
