Metal Fabrication

WHS Management for Stainless Steel Fabrication

Chromium VI drops 90 per cent and nickel drops 99 per cent under the incoming WELs — your ventilation must be ready.

Stainless steel fabrication involves cutting, welding, grinding, and polishing chromium-nickel alloys for food processing equipment, pharmaceutical vessels, architectural features, and marine applications. The critical WHS concern is hexavalent chromium generated during welding, plasma cutting, and grinding of stainless steel. Chromium VI is a confirmed human carcinogen that causes lung cancer, and the incoming WEL reduces the permissible exposure by 90 per cent. Nickel fume from stainless steel welding is also carcinogenic and faces a 99 per cent WEL reduction. These changes mean that stainless steel fabrication shops must implement the highest standard of fume extraction and respiratory protection in the industry.

Key Hazards

Chromium VI fume exposure during welding and plasma cuttingNickel fume exposure during stainless steel weldingManganese exposure from stainless steel consumablesMetal fume fever from overexposure to welding fumeNoise exposure from grinding and polishing operationsSkin sensitisation from chromium and nickel contact

Regulatory Requirements

HRCW Categories

Hot work, work with carcinogenic substances

Section 26A Codes (binding 1 July 2026)
Welding ProcessesHazardous ChemicalsNoisePlantManual Tasks

SWMS Required

Tig WeldingMig WeldingPlasma CuttingGrindingSpray Painting Metal

Related Sectors

Pipe WeldingSheet MetalAluminium Fabrication

Need Help with Stainless Steel WHS?

Our team can help you set up compliant WHS documentation, chromium VI monitoring programs, and health surveillance for your stainless steel fabrication operations.

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