New welding fume safety standard

22 JANUARY 2024

New nationwide changes regarding the exposure standard for welding fumes took effect on 18 January 2024. The workplace exposure standard for welding fumes is now 1mg/m3 as an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA), reduced from 5mg/m3 TWA. 

The revised standard reflects current thinking about a person’s maximum exposure level to welding fumes or contaminant mixture (from welding processes), without adverse health effects occurring. Exposure to welding fumes can cause short and long-term health effects.

The major risk to a welder's health depends on the welding fume’s composition and the individual’s exposure level. This is determined by:

• the composition and concentration of the welding fumes generated by the type of welding process used 
• the duration and frequency of exposure (the arc time or actual time spent welding)
• welders' posture and head position relative to the welding fume
• location of the welding process, for example: indoors, outdoors, restricted or confined spaces
• the type of controls in place to prevent or reduce exposure to fumes, and their effectiveness.

Depending on the processes and components used, welding fumes may contain specific substances that have their own exposure standards, which could be less than 1mg/m3. In this situation, individuals must not receive exposure to levels exceeding the lower exposure standard.

Under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 and the Tasmanian Workplace Health and Safety Regulations 2022, employers must control the risk of hazardous substances, including airborne contaminants such as welding fumes, and ensure people in a workplace do not receive exposure to levels above any relevant exposure standard.

Employers must control the risk of exposure to airborne contaminants by considering the hierarchy of controls. This means employers must consider whether they can eliminate, substitute, or modify a task. Where this is not practical, employers must then consider lower-level risk controls, for example, using ventilation controls such as on torch extraction or local exhaust ventilation and personal protective equipment (respiratory protection).

A qualified occupational hygienist must conduct atmospheric monitoring when employers cannot guarantee exceeding the exposure standard, or where there may be a health risk.

Read about controlling the risks associated with welding fumes.

Members can contact the VACC OHSE Unit on 03 9829 1265 or ohs@vacc.com.au for any safety-related information or help.