About AWS
Apex Welding Safety (AWS) is a specialist in controlling welding fumes. Built on the hierarchy of control, AWS offers solutions across all product control categories, including welding helmets with powered air purifying respirators (PAPR), on-gun fume extraction, hooded local exhaust ventilation, push-pull systems, and diluters. Partnering with the world's leading brands - including 3M, Speedglas, Translas, Nederman, and Plymovent - AWS is perfectly positioned to help businesses implement product controls that better protect welders and nearby workers.
New Scientific Research on the Effectiveness of Product Controls
In 2022, an Australian independent scientific study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of welding fume product controls. The study was peer reviewed and published to the Safety Journal in 2023. Watch the film below:
2026 Welding Fume Regulation Changes
Australia is strengthening regulations around welding fume exposure, with major implications for workplace compliance. In January 2024, the Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) for welding fumes was reduced by 80% and made legally enforceable, placing greater responsibility on employers. Further changes are coming in December 2026, when WES will be replaced by Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL), aligning Australia with global standards and significantly lowering allowable exposure levels for many hazardous components. Alongside this, the adoption of AS/NZS ISO 21904 in March 2026 introduces new requirements for welding fume extraction equipment. This document summarises the regulatory changes and explores the practical steps required to comply with the new limits and fume extraction standards.
Mitigation of Risk
Product Controls
Administrative Controls
Read our AWS white papers on key welding safety issues
NEW Scientific Study
The Effectiveness of Welding Fume Product Controls
There are countless scientific studies that conclude that welding fume is bad for health, yet there seem to be very few that can give us practical guidance on how to effectively control welding fume exposure. Studies have done an effective job of defining the problem; however, few have been able to identify and compare the relative effectiveness of available product control solutions. Until now!
The Practical Guide to Welding Fume Control
There is a critical need to give workplaces practical advice that can help to keep welding fume exposure to an acceptable level. This guide is based on a simple premise - the health risk posed by welding fume is serious, however, keeping yourself safe can be straightforward. In this guide, we outline the dangers of welding fume and then give you actionable and practical guidance based specifically on the welding industry.
Speedglas Powered Air Training Academy (SPATA)
Occupational health and safety legislation require employees to be trained to carry out their work safely. Where Powered Air respiratory protection is to be used, training must be provided. This free training package, including 10 modules, has been prepared in combination with senior occupational hygienists, welders, and industry professionals.
Student Powered Air Program
The Student Powered Air Program represents a national safety initiative, launched by AWS, to educate and encourage the next generation of welders to use Welding Helmets with integrated Powered Air Purifying Respirators.
Featured News
Welding helmets with integrated powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) are established as ‘the most widely used form of respiratory protection amongst welders in Australia and New Zealand.’¹ This is far from surprising given the cooler, cleaner, and more comfortable welding experience afforded by a constant flow of filtered air directly into the welder’s breathing zone.
Based on a recent survey conducted by AWS, only 10% of Australian and New Zealand workplaces use engineering controls (such as on-gun fume extraction or hooded capture LEV) to remove welding fume from the environment and 28% can still see and smell welding fume in the workshop before the welding starts in the morning.
There will be two types of welders reading this article. The first will think this is a joke. That no one could seriously believe that milk would be a suitable shield against a now known carcinogen. The other has heard from their peers that drinking milk does protect them from welding fume and wants to know whether there is any truth to this tale.
There are countless studies that conclude that welding fume is bad for health, yet there seem to be very few that can give us practical guidance on how to effectively control welding fume exposure. Studies have done an effective job in defining the problem; however, few have been able to identify and compare the relative effectiveness of available product control solutions. Until now…
There is officially a lower Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume in Australia. In September 2023, SafeWork Australia voted to lower the Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume from 5mg/m³ to 1mg/m³. In January 2024, Work Health and Safety Ministers endorsed the decision to change legislation in Australia. All workplaces must now comply with the new lower limit by law.
Featured News
Welding helmets with integrated powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) are established as ‘the most widely used form of respiratory protection amongst welders in Australia and New Zealand.’¹ This is far from surprising given the cooler, cleaner, and more comfortable welding experience afforded by a constant flow of filtered air directly into the welder’s breathing zone.
Based on a recent survey conducted by AWS, only 10% of Australian and New Zealand workplaces use engineering controls (such as on-gun fume extraction or hooded capture LEV) to remove welding fume from the environment and 28% can still see and smell welding fume in the workshop before the welding starts in the morning.
There will be two types of welders reading this article. The first will think this is a joke. That no one could seriously believe that milk would be a suitable shield against a now known carcinogen. The other has heard from their peers that drinking milk does protect them from welding fume and wants to know whether there is any truth to this tale.
There are countless studies that conclude that welding fume is bad for health, yet there seem to be very few that can give us practical guidance on how to effectively control welding fume exposure. Studies have done an effective job in defining the problem; however, few have been able to identify and compare the relative effectiveness of available product control solutions. Until now…
There is officially a lower Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume in Australia. In September 2023, SafeWork Australia voted to lower the Workplace Exposure Standard for Welding Fume from 5mg/m³ to 1mg/m³. In January 2024, Work Health and Safety Ministers endorsed the decision to change legislation in Australia. All workplaces must now comply with the new lower limit by law.
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