Welding Fume Monitoring
Total and individual metal fume exposure assessment for welders
What Is Welding Fume Monitoring?
Welding fume monitoring measures worker exposure to the complex mixture of metal oxide particles generated during welding, cutting, and brazing operations. IARC classified welding fume as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) in 2017, prompting regulatory tightening worldwide.
Safe Work Australia amended the WES list in January 2024 to reduce the WES for welding fumes (not otherwise classified) from 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³ TWA-8h, and the WEL list keeps it at 1 mg/m³. Meeting this limit can require workplaces to upgrade ventilation, modify processes, or introduce respiratory protection. From 1 December 2026, hexavalent chromium compounds have no numeric limit because the WEL list treats them as non-threshold genotoxic carcinogens, so exposure must be eliminated or minimised so far as is reasonably practicable.
How Is It Done?
Personal sampling via inhalable dust cassette or respirable cyclone. Gravimetric analysis for total fume; ICP-MS for individual metals (Mn, Cr(VI), Ni).
When You Need This
- +IARC Group 1 carcinogen classification compliance
- +Existing controls may be insufficient at the 1 mg/m³ limit
- +Multiple welding processes in confined or semi-enclosed areas
- +Stainless steel or chromium-bearing alloy welding (Cr(VI) risk)
- +Health surveillance programme support
Relevant Standards
Common Industries
Related Monitoring
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