| Abstract Scope |
INTRODUCTION: Whilst Australian standards have incorporated basic requirements for safety in welding for over 70 years, however, their content can require interpretation and the resources required to maintain currency is limited. Drawing on the content of these standards, Weld Australia has developed a range of Technical Notes and Technical Guidance Notes to assist the fabrication industry in a way that the information can be readily utilised in the any welding shop. Some of these documents are cited in our State Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) regulations as a recognised code of practice, and, are referenced within standards.
DISCUSSION: This paper describes the content of these documents and the influence of various incidents and accidents on their content including the provision of assistance to personnel investigating welding current electric shocks and electrocution incidents, and guidance on measures necessary to minimise the welders exposure to weld fume. Special mention is made of the need to educate the welding fraternity on safety matters in preference to legislation or litigation.
CONCLUSION: By educating the welding fraternity, the focus is on people and their needs, not the law. The workplace is much safer when people come first. |