Everything you need to know about the changes to Australian Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fumes

Australian Welding Fumes WES Air Quality Update - What you need to know.

Safe Work Australia has announced significant changes to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fumes after Work Health and Safety Ministers endorsed a decision to change legislation in Australia.  The new law sees the air quality standards for an 8-hour weighted average set at just 1mg/m3. This is a significant 80% reduction on the previously allowed 5mg/m3. This change marks a decisive step towards ensuring worker safety by lowering their exposure to hazardous welding fumes.  The new limit applies to welders and anyone who works around welders.

Just months after voting to change the air quality standards in September 2023, the legislation change now means all workplaces must comply with the new lower limit by law. The message behind the decision is clear – you need to take action and it needs to be NOW.

Worker protection in the welding industry has recently come under scrutiny as severe health repercussions have been linked to prolonged exposure to welding fumes – a recognised carcinogen. The swift implementation of the reduction will ensure workplaces proactively mitigate adverse health effects associated with welding activities. It is a decision that also ensures workers can continue to be committed to their roles without the stress of possible long term health impacts of their chosen career.

Implications of the WES changes to welding workers and business owners

The recent update to the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fumes holds significant implications for both welding workers and business owners.

Here's a run-down of how it may impact you.

• Health Protection for Workers: The reduction in the WES to 1mg/m3 from 5mg/m3 is evidence of an industry shift towards prioritising the health and well-being of welding workers. This stricter standard is aimed at minimising the risk of adverse health effects associated with prolonged exposure to welding fumes.
• New Compliance Standards for Business Owners: Business Owners or Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) now have stricter compliance laws surrounding the air quality standards in the welding industry. This will entail undertaking a review of your current compliance measures and ensuring your control measures meet the new standards. This may include purchasing new extraction products to ensure your workplace practices align with the new stricter standard.
• Enhanced Work Environment for the Welding Industry: The reduced WES for welding fumes necessitates the implementation of more stringent control measures by PCBUs. By ensuring compliance businesses not only prioritise health and safety but will foster an enhanced workplace with increased productivity and employee morale.

Meeting the Challenge: Nederman's Solutions for WES compliance in welding

Here at Nederman, we offer our expertise in air extraction and workplace safety as you look towards solutions to the tighter WES guidelines. As the landscape of welding workplace safety evolves, businesses must make sure their workplaces meet new WES standards and that employees are protected by these new regulations. 

Here are just a few ways Nederman can help as you navigate the new Australian WES for welding fumes.

• We are experts in welding safety: We have a profound understanding of welding processes and their associated hazards. We bring 80 years of experience to the table to ensure comprehensive knowledge and support for welding businesses seeking to enhance safety control measures to meet new WES guidelines.
  
  
• We offer premium air-extraction solutions: We have a suite of extraction systems especially designed to capture and filter welding fumes, creating a compliant and safe, efficient work environment for you and your staff.
  
  
• We have energy efficient and sustainable options: We recognised the importance of sustainability, and our solutions offer energy efficiency that ensure your businesses minimise operating costs while aligning with safety laws and sustainability goals.
  
  
• We give you access to Australian offices and specialists: We may operate on an international scale, but we are committed to offering local Australian specialists to ensure that our clients adhere to Australian standards and cater to the specific needs of our Australian clientele. We combine our global expertise with local knowledge to deliver a premium product to the Australian market.

Welding Industry Solutions – Nederman’s Extraction Products for WES Compliance

You can explore Nederman’s comprehensive product range of extraction solutions HERE.

To save you time, we’ve outlined a few of our offerings below that are specifically designed for the welding industry and will ensure compliance with the new WES for welding fumes.

FE 860 – An On-Torch Solution

• Portable source capture for on-torch extraction.
• Specifically designed for on-torch applications, extracting fumes directly at the source.
• Features a knob for setting suction level, automatic start/stop function, and improved motor performance.
• Suitable for maintenance welding applications and compliant with ISO 21904 (W3).
• Equipped with warnings for malfunction and filter status, high-efficiency Nanofiber filter, and designed for torches requiring max 18 kPa at connection point.

MCP-12S-APT – Air Purification Tower

• Self-contained cartridge dust collectors for ambient air cleaning.
• Ideal for factories with welding fumes or suspended dust.
• Can be used standalone or in a network, suitable for various workshop sizes and layouts.
• Compact and efficient design with high-capacity cartridge filters and patented Nanofiber media.
• Flexible configuration with low and high models, quiet fan operation, and user-friendly controller for automation.

FilterCart

• Mobile filter unit for light welding and extraction applications.
• Includes an extraction arm with an integrated spotlight for better visibility.
• Easy to manoeuvre with a long-lasting disposable filter and optional HEPA 13 filter for enhanced efficiency.
• Available in Original and Advanced versions with varying filter efficiencies.

FilterCart Carbon

• Specially designed for extraction of odours and gas contaminants.
• Equipped with an Extraction Arm Standard and optional HEPA filter for maximum efficiency.
• Easy to manoeuvre with optional carbon filter for organic vapours, ensuring a safer working environment.

Secure Your Nederman Solutions through Apex Welding Safety

If you’re in the welding industry and ready to purchasing Nederman solutions to ensure your workplace meets the new WES for welding fumes, you can head to Apex Welding Safety (AWS). Serving as an advocate for welders’ safety in Australia and New Zealand, they have been Nederman's trusted partner for welding solutions since 1994. AWS offers a comprehensive range of products and services, including equipment, consumables, and safety gear. As Nederman's exclusive dealer, AWS provides access to premium welding extraction solutions, facilitating compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Embracing Change and Adapting to New WES for Welding Fumes – Where To From Here?

As your business navigates towards a changed landscape in welding safety and compliance, you’ll require a proactive approach and reliable partnership. By prioritising health protection for workers and ensuring compliance with new regulations while utilising sustainable extraction solutions, businesses can successfully meet new safety requirements whilst simultaneously creating more efficient workplaces.

With our expertise and the trusted support of Apex Welding Safety, welding industry professionals can confidently navigate these changes and continue to uphold the highest standards of safety and excellence in their workplaces.

Links to assist you in your compliance with the new WES guidelines for welding fumes:

Safe Work Australia

Apex Welding Safety

Welding Extraction Solutions from Nederman

Weld Australia

To ensure your compliance with the new WES guidelines, the first step is to contact us, or ask for a Nederman solution from the team at Apex Welding Safety.