Since the reclassification of welding fume as a Group 1 human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2017, there has been increasing focus on understanding and mitigating exposure risks within Queensland coal mines. In 2022, an industry-wide analysis of historical exposure data (2009–2021) provided valuable insights into welding fume exposure profiles across the sector. This was presented at this conference in 2022.
This presentation highlights the progress made since that initial review, detailing the development of a new industry guidance note, the reduction of the occupational exposure limit (OEL) to 1 mg/m³, and the implementation of specific monitoring requirements for welding fume in Queensland coal mines. It will also explore the latest innovative control measures being trialled and adopted across the coal industry, including automation advancements aimed at reducing worker exposure.
By mapping the journey from data analysis to practical regulatory and operational improvements, this presentation provides a comprehensive update on best practices, compliance expectations, and emerging solutions to protect coal mine workers from the long-term health impacts of welding fume exposure.

Introduction: Occupational lung diseases (OLDs) describe lung conditions caused by inhaling dusts, fumes, gases and other hazardous agents in the workplace. Australia has recently seen a resurgence of OLDs, including an epidemic of silicosis, initially found in the stone benchtop industry, now affecting broader sectors. Mining is a high-risk industry for OLDs, including silicosis, occupational lung cancer, coal workers pneumoconiosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There is an identified need to increase awareness amongst this priority population for these entirely preventable diseases.
Method: To build awareness of OLDs, including their risk factors, Lung Foundation Australia (LFA) redeveloped the Healthy Lungs at Work Quiz (the Quiz). This is designed to help workers identify their exposure to lung health hazards, safety practices at their workplace and any symptoms they may be experiencing. The revised Quiz was launched in October 2023 during LFA’s National Silicosis Prevention and Awareness Campaign and promoted again in October 2024. To reach culturally and linguistically diverse workers, the Quiz was translated into six languages – Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Punjabi, Nepali and Spanish.
Results: During the 2024 campaign, 5,342 Australian workers completed the Quiz. The mining industry, representing nearly 9% (n=456) of respondents, was the second most reported sector. Compared to national figures, Queensland (QLD) accounted for 18.6% of the mining and quarrying workforce in the sample. Symptom prevalence shows QLD workers have higher rates of recurrent chest infections (6.1% vs national 3.2%) and persistent cough (13.8% vs national 13.2%). Exposure prevalence indicates QLD workers reported greater coal dust exposure (14.4% vs national 9.5%) and lower silica dust exposure (22.3% vs national 27.2%). Additionally, QLD workers were more likely to have spoken to a doctor (18.8% vs national 12.7%) about their workplace and symptoms.
Conclusion: The data and results of the Quiz continue to build evidence on the OLD climate across mining and other industries in Australia. The Quiz results discussed will highlight the differences between Queensland (QLD) and national figures in the mining sector. The findings will help inform key stakeholders, including government and industry, on how and where to take action to ensure worker safety.

Coal mine methane (CMM) is a highly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential more than 80 times that of carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. Emitted during coal mining operations, CMM is responsible for approximately 10% of global methane emissions from human activities. While its release contributes significantly to climate change, methane is also a valuable energy resource that is often wasted when simply vented to atmosphere. Methane emissions from active, underground coal mines also present a serious safety hazard and remain a leading cause of mine explosions. If methane is present in 5–15% concentration by volume in air and there is an ignition source, an explosion is highly likely.
Fortunately, solutions exist. Effective methane mitigation strategies, such as proven, readily available methane capture and utilization technologies, and advanced monitoring systems, can transform CMM from a liability into a resource. This presentation will address the overarching opportunities for CMM mitigation management in Australia’s active, underground mines, providing realistic solutions and valuable project development strategies and resources.

Reduction in the welding fume Workplace Exposure Standard (WES) from 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³ reflects increasing recognition of health risks associated with exposure to hazardous metal fumes, particulates and gases generated during welding and allied processes. While this revised standard aims to protect workers from short and long term adverse health effects, it remains uncertain whether compliance with this total welding fume limit adequately controls the full spectrum of hazardous metal oxides emitted. These airborne agents include toxic metals such as cadmium, chromium, nickel and manganese, as well as gases like ozone and nitrogen oxides. Current exposure monitoring often focuses on total fume mass, which may not capture concentrations of individual hazardous constituents unless requested through expensive laboratory analysis.

This pilot study investigates whether compliance with the welding fume WES can serve as a reliable proxy for broader chemical exposure control. Specifically, it evaluates whether simplified fume-based monitoring can reflect compliance with the WES for individual hazardous substances commonly present in welding and allied processes such as gouging or cutting.

The assessment compared a range of welding tasks, materials, and techniques to determine whether specific combinations result in elevated exposure risk. Materials included mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and hard-facing alloys, with welding methods encompassing flux cored arc welding (FCAW), manual metal arc welding (MMAW or stick welding), and metal inert gas (MIG) welding. Data was categorised by welding process, material welded, and consumables used. Sampling was structured around Similar Exposure Groups (SEGs), with samples representing at least 80 percent of a full work shift considered valid.

Preliminary literature suggests that although compliance with the fume WES may be achieved in some environments, exposure limits for hazardous constituents such as iron oxide and manganese may be exceeded under routine conditions. This will be exacerbated when Safe Work Australia introduces WES reductions for specific metals on 1 December 2026. These insights highlight limitations of monitoring practices and the need to focus on controlling hazardous fumes at the source through engineering controls such as local exhaust ventilation and on-torch extraction in conjunction with PAPR to reduce exposures to ALARP.