Q&A topic

Safety: 12 questions answered

• Why do welders drink milk after welding?

  Milk does nothing to protect you from welding fume — that's a myth with no clinical basis. It dates from the idea that calcium 'bi…

• What PPE do you need for welding?

  Minimum welding PPE: an Australian Standards auto-darkening helmet (ASNZS 1338), leather gloves, flame-resistant clothing (no synt…

• Can you weld indoors safely?

  Yes — with ventilation as the non-negotiable. Weld indoors safely by extracting fume at the arc (local extraction or a strong cros…

• What helmet shade should I use?

  Use shade 10–12 for MIG and general stick at hobby amperages, shade 12–13 for 200 A+ stick or heavy fabrication, shade 9–10 for lo…

• Is welding smoke actually dangerous?

  Yes — all welding fume has been classified a Group 1 known human carcinogen by IARC (since 2017), and Safe Work Australia's workpl…

• How do I avoid fires when welding?

  Prevent welding fires by clearing 10 metres of flammables, welding on non-combustible surfaces, having a charged extinguisher and …

• What is the Australian workplace exposure limit for welding fume?

  VERIFIED TRUE: “Australia's workplace exposure limit for welding fume is 1 mg/m³ measured as an 8-hour time-weighted average.” — r…

• Is welding fume classified as a carcinogen?

  VERIFIED TRUE: “The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies welding fume as Group 1: carcinogenic to humans.” — rat…

• Can you weld galvanised steel?

  MYTH BUSTED: “Galvanised steel cannot be welded.” — rated False after two-pass adversarial verification against official Australia…

• What is arc eye and what causes it?

  VERIFIED TRUE: “Welding arc radiation can cause photokeratitis (arc eye), a corneal injury similar to sunburn.” — rated True after…

• Can welding galvanised steel make you sick?

  VERIFIED TRUE: “Welding galvanised steel can cause metal fume fever, with flu-like symptoms.” — rated True after two-pass adversar…

• Did Australia lower its welding fume exposure limit?

  VERIFIED TRUE: “Australia's workplace exposure limit for welding fume was lowered from 5 mg/m³ to 1 mg/m³.” — rated True after two…