From 17 November 2025 the workplace exposure standard (WES) for aluminium welding fumes will be slashed by 80%, from an eight-hour time-weighted average of five milligrams per cubic metre of air, to one milligram, after agreement by state and territory WHS ministers.
The reduction will bring the WES for aluminium welding fumes in line with the existing WES for welding fumes (not otherwise classified) to better protect workers from harmful effects of welding fumes.
Reducing the exposure standard for aluminium welding fumes was proposed late last year, after an SWA-commissioned expert report found it should be aligned with the WES for "welding fumes (not otherwise classified)". The report writer, Professor Tim Driscoll, pointed out the International Agency for Research on Cancer's "designation of welding fumes as a human carcinogen was based on total welding fumes, not on any specific component of welding fumes". "Focusing only on the individual constituents runs the risk of not measuring the presence of a relevant constituent or combination of constituents and thus underestimating the relevant exposure of workers," it said.
Safe Work Australia (SWA) advises the aluminium welding industry, particularly the boat building and repair industries, to review and update their welding fume controls to ensure employee exposure remains below the one-milligram limit and to make all efforts to eliminate or minimise the hazard.
Employers should use the model WHS Code of Practice Welding processes, to determine their duties and obligations and identify suitable control measures for welding hazards. However, employers must remember that controls such as ventilation and personal protective equipment can be considered when determining compliance, but only when other reasonably practicable high-level controls in the hierarchy of control have been implemented.
Employers can seek expert advice in they are unsure about their WES compliance and should note that WorkSafe has updated their online guidance to reflect the new Standard.
Download the SWA information sheet: Aluminium (welding fumes) information sheet | Safe Work Australia