Review of Workplace Exposure Standards (WES) for Airborne Contaminants

We haven’t seen the proposed Workplace Exposure Standard for welding yet, but we do expect that there will be a recommendation to lower the WES. Ai Group is aware that as of 2017, IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) has reclassified welding fumes to Group 1 classification as “Carcinogenic to Humans” hence the expected lowering of WES. The best way to get an understanding of your current level of airborne contaminants – for all chemicals – is to engage an occupational hygienist to undertake air monitoring for you. They can also advise on how best to implement controls for the type of work and contaminants in the workplace.

Safe Work Australia has set exposure standard for general dust; the current level is 10mg/m3 for inhalable fraction of dust. General dust is also known as nuisance dust or dust not otherwise specified and generally considered to be of low inherent toxicity when inhaled in minute amount. One needs to keep in perspective that the general dust can come from varied sources and activities. Where specific health risk is known for dust generated from specific source or activities, WES is assigned to those particular dust categories such as: wood dust, construction dust (i.e. respirable silica) and flour dust.

It is a requirement to ensure that the level of airborne contaminant is below the prescribed exposure standard. Air monitoring is required if there is uncertainty about whether the exposure standard is being exceeded. If you had a fully enclosed process air monitoring may not be needed, although it may be appropriate to do monitoring when cleaning and maintenance activities are being undertaken. For processes that are not fully contained, it would be advisable to undertake some initial monitoring to identify the level of contaminant to determine whether further control measures are required. This also helps to demonstrate compliance with the prescribed WES.

As a specific category, there is no individual WES for nanoparticles. If you have a product that you use as a nanoparticle it would be best to look at the WES information for that product to identify if there is any mention in the WES or the Safety Data Sheet about how to control the risks associated with those nanoparticles. If you need further assistance on this, please contact John Tiong.

It is important to remember that the WES is only one consideration in relation to the management of hazardous chemicals. There is also a requirement to do all that is reasonably practicable to eliminate or minimise risk, by applying the hierarchy of control. So, we can’t be complacent about control measures just because exposure is below the WES. Having said that, being below the current WES, and knowing that you are, is definitely a good start. We encourage employers who are in this position to look at the proposed WES as they are released and compare that to current levels in the workplace. If current levels are below the proposed WES, you are in a good position to be compliant despite changes. If your levels are above the proposed WES, you would need to look at what further controls you could implement. If you need assistance with this process, Ai Group can help. If, after all possible control options are considered, you don’t believe that compliance with the proposed WES is possible, please get in contact with Tracey Browne ASAP so that we can consider how best to provide that input into the review process.

In most cases, this will be a different answer for each workplace depending on the hazardous chemicals used, the processes undertaken and the types of control measures in place. We would suggest baseline monitoring by an occupational hygienist who can then provide you with a recommended monitoring schedule, which will be influenced by the results of the first assessment.

This will depend and where and how the rubber is burning. Please contact John Tiong to discuss your specific situation.

Victoria and Western Australia both refer to the WES maintained by Safe Work Australia. This review is just as applicable in those states as it is in the harmonised jurisdictions.