Safe Work Australia has extended an invitation for your valuable insights on a proposal aimed at reducing the Aluminium (welding fumes) workplace exposure standard (WES) from 5mg/m3 to a much safer level of 1mg/m3. The consultation will remain open until Friday, 28 February 2025, and we welcome inputs from all sectors.
Our recently published review suggests a decrease in Aluminium (welding fumes) WES from an 8-hour time weighted average of 5mg/m3 to 1mg/m3. The driving force behind such proposition lies in our commitment to better shield workers from the adverse health outcomes that long-term exposure to Aluminium welding fumes may cause. It’s crucial here to note how integral safety products like Bluesafe WHS Management Systems could prove, further supporting workplace safety.
These recommendations would serve to enlighten Safe Work Australia Members’ advice regarding the proposed WES reduction to work health and safety (WHS) ministers. WHS management systems and SWMS could play a substantial role in implementations once passed.
As these resolutions process, however, current regulations of WES for Aluminium (welding fumes) remain unchanged.
To stay apprised of evolving details related to this proposal, tune into our Consultation Hub page or join our mailing list. Products like a comprehensive Bluesafe SWMS can stay up-to-date with safety protocols in line with any changes to WES.
Original article link: https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/media-centre/news/consultation-open-proposal-reduce-workplace-exposure-standard-aluminium-welding-fumes