Welding Fume
Workplace Exposure Standard Revised January 2024
SafeWork Australia amended the WES for welding fumes (not otherwise classified) from a TWA of 5 mg/m3 to 1 mg/m3, on the 18th January 2024, as published in the Workplace Exposure Standard for Airborne Contaminants . The NSW Resources Regulator has advised that the new standard is effective immediately in NSW under clause 49 of the Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017.
In an update published on the 1st Feb 2024, the NSW Resources Regulator acknowledged that the welding fumes workplace exposure standard reduction is significant and that duty holders may take time to comply with the new standard. The NSW Resources Regulator will take an education and information approach to help duty holders comply with the standard, including any action required to achieve compliance.
Coal Services recommends that sites review their Airborne contaminants risk assessment and Health control plan to review whether exposure to weld fume in their workplaces complies with the reduced WES. Additional controls may be required to reduce the exposures to welders and other workers in the vicinity when welding tasks are undertaken. Exposure monitoring may be required to assess the effectiveness of additional controls. Further training and education may be required to ensure workers are informed of these changes and how to comply with the reduced WES.
Further information, including control selector tools and toolbox talks, is provided by SafeWork Australia and on the Breathe Freely Australia website
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