Consultation on the proposal to reduce the Aluminium (welding fumes) workplace exposure standard

Safe Work Australia is consulting on the proposal to reduce the workplace exposure standard (WES) for Aluminium (welding fumes) from 5mg/m³ to 1mg/m³.

Consultation information

Safe Work Australia engaged an independent expert to undertake a Review of the Workplace exposure standards for welding fumes (NOC) and aluminium (welding fumes) (review). The review recommends reducing the WES for Aluminium (welding fumes) from an 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) of 5mg/m³ to a TWA of 1mg/m³.

This proposed reduction follows the decision to reduce the WES for Welding fumes (Not otherwise classified (NOC)) to 1mg/m³ that was implemented in January 2024.

Submissions to this consultation will be used to inform Safe Work Australia Members’ decision on whether to recommend the proposed reduction to work health and safety (WHS) ministers.

Until a decision is made by WHS ministers, the current WES for Aluminium (welding fumes) applies (TWA of 5mg/m³).

Making a submission

Submissions are sought by 11:59 pm (AEDT) on Friday 28 February 2025. You can make a submission via the link under the Have your say section.

You can decide how or if your submission is published on the Consultation Hub by choosing from the following options:

  • submission published with your name, your organisation’s name, or a pseudonym
  • submission published anonymously, or
  • submission not published.

Demographic data will be collected as part of making a submission to this consultation. You may choose to provide your contact details (including your name and contact number or email) for SWA to contact you to clarify your feedback, if required. This information will not be published on the Consultation Hub.

For further information contact Chemicals Policy at chemicals@swa.gov.au