What you need to know about air quality H&S regulations

Knock knock...it's Worksafe waiting to inspect your workshop for air quality - are you ready?

Worksafe are cracking down on workplace health and safety when it comes to proper ventilation and respiratory equipment being used. We've put together this quick and easy guide for what you need to know for when the inspectors come knocking!

Welding fumes are one of the biggest contributors to poor air quality in a metal engineering workshop. The dangers associated with breathing in welding fumes range from airway irritation and other short term respiratory illness, to long term health effects like cancer and lung disease. It is the employer's responsibility to minimise health risks by providing a safe working environment, access to the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), and training and procedures for the effective use of health and safety equipment.

We've got it! Back in 2014 a workplace injury claim became an Australian-first judgement to award compensation for cancer after a link was found between lung cancer and welding fumes. Medical experts found that former welders were 44 % more likely to contract lung cancer compared to people who have never worked in the field. Read the full article here.

Conduct a workplace assessment:

• Identify the areas of risk in your workshop and who's involved.
• Decide what, if any, additional measures need to take place to improve air quality and minimise exposure risk.
• Worksafe recommend exposure monitoring by a occupational hygienist (or other suitably trained person) to test the air in your workplace and compare it with the relevant workplace exposure standards. They will be able to recommend the right control measures for your workshop.

• Select the most effective controls for your workplace including:
  • Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) - to protect everyone in the workplace.
  • A respirator or air fed welding helmet- to protect individuals at risk.
• Modify processes to eliminate/minimise the amount of fumes produced:
  • Use alternative welding techniques which produce fewer fumes.
  • Clean welding surfaces to remove toxic coatings.
• Provide training and processes to ensure the effective use of LEV and RPE:
  • Correct installation & regular maintenance of LEV.
  • Correct positioning and use of LEV.
  • Selection and correct use of RPE.
• Implement regular monitoring of worker health, workshop air quality, ventilation equipment and RPE.

For more detailed information download Worksafe NZ's Welding and Local Exhaust Ventilation Fact Sheet here

It's important the RPE provided is suitable to provide protection from the specific environmental hazards the worker will be exposed to. If you are unsure what equipment is required, check with your supplier or get advice from an occupational hygienist.

• What type of dangerous substances are your workers exposed to? These might be different depending on the task being performed.
  
  
• What type of RPE will protect against these substances?
  
  
• Is the RPE suitable for the form of the contaminant (eg. mist, gas or solid)?
  
  
• Is the RPE suitable for the work (light or heavy work, short or long duration, confined space, ventilation)?
  
  
• Does the RPE correctly fit each worker to make sure it actually works correctly?
  
  
• Will it be compatible with other PPE the workers need to wear?
  
  
• Do the workers like it? Is it comfortable to wear? Does it provide the right fit?
  
  
• What control measures does the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the substance you are working with recommend?
  
  
• How should the RPE be maintained? How often/when should it be replaced?