New Welding Fume Exposure Standard Introduced in Australia
Australia introduces a new welding fume exposure standard to enhance worker safety, reducing allowable exposure limits to harmful fumes. This aims to protect welders' health and improve workplace conditions. Australia introduces a new welding fume exposure standard to enhance worker safety, reducing allowable exposure limits to harmful fumes. This aims to protect welders' health and improve workplace conditions.
Dated September 2023, SafeWork Australia has reduced the permissible exposure limit from 5mg/m³ to 1mg/m³, a move that highlights the serious health risks associated with welding fume exposure. In the beginning of January 2024, Work Health and Safety Ministers introduced its NEW Workplace Exposure Standard for welding fumes to all Australia workspaces. Therefore this law required welders and workers along with these welders to comply with safety protocols towards harmful fumes at their workspaces.
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Why the Change?
A recent survey revealed alarming statistics: 39% of welders in Australia and New Zealand do not use any form of protection against welding fumes, and 67% believe that their workplace does not adequately reduce welding fume exposure. Given the fact that welding fumes are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, this lack of protection from this gas hazard poses a serious health risk to workers.
What Does This Mean for Employers and Workers?
Employers are now legally required to ensure that no person at the workplace is exposed to welding fumes exceeding the new standard. This involves ensuring effective controls measures to reduce exposure to as low as reasonably practicable. Suggested control methods include fume extraction systems and powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), which have proven to significantly reduce fume levels.
Steps to Compliance
1. Assessment: Evaluate current welding fume levels in the workplace.
2. Controls Implementation: Use engineering controls like fume extraction and LEV systems. For welders, PAPRs offer high protection levels.
3. Education and Training: Ensure that all workers are informed about the risks and the new exposure standards.
This new regulation aims to protect welders from the harmful effects of welding fumes. By adhering to the new exposure limits and implementing recommended control measures, workplaces can ensure a safer environment for their workers.
Therefore, Hampdon Industrial wants to offer a wide range of safety equipment to protect you from being exposed to dangerous welding fumes. For more detailed information and resources on welding fume control, you can also visit AWS Welding Safety.
