Welding Fume in the Western Australian Mining Industry: Impact of a Change to the Workplace Exposure Standard

Matthew Oosthuizen, Kerry Staples, Adelle Liebenberg, Kiam Padamsey, Marcus Cattani, Andy McCarthy and Jacques Oosthuizen ()
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Matthew Oosthuizen: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Kerry Staples: Department of Health (Western Australia), Epidemiology Directorate, Perth, WA 6004, Australia
Adelle Liebenberg: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Kiam Padamsey: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Marcus Cattani: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Andy McCarthy: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia
Jacques Oosthuizen: School of Medical and Health Sciences, Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, WA 6027, Australia

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the Western Australian (WA) Safety Regulatory System (SRS) database to assess compliance of the WA mining sector regarding workers exposure to welding fumes and to identify trends over time. De-identified data analysed to assess the impact of reducing workplace exposure standards (WES) for general welding fumes on industry compliance. Historical trend analysis shows a shift from 100% compliance to 100% non-compliance, based on mean values and 95% confidence intervals, with exposure levels remaining consistent over time. These findings highlight the need for current, innovative engineering solutions, and raise questions about the validity of current sampling methods. Powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) integrated with welding helmets can reduce exposures by up to 99.96%, making their adoption as industry best practice critical, yet current sampling methodologies measure welding fume levels outside PAPRs, thus potentially misclassifying workers who are adequately protected as non-compliant. The sampling method is also influenced by other particulate matter present in the workplace that may be due to grinding or other dust generating activities in the vicinity of the welder. Lower WES values necessitate a review of exposure assessment and reporting methods to accurately reflect worker exposures.

Keywords: welding fume; exposure assessment; sampling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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