Welding fumes


Problem:

Workers who weld, braze and solder seams and joints may be exposed to welding fumes.


Risk Description:

There are a number of health effects caused by exposure to welding fume, including metal fume fever, bronchitis and asthma, lung cancer, and neurological injuries that produce symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. The hazard depends on the welding method (such as MIG, TIG, or stick), what the welding rod (electrode) is made of, the filler metals and base metals (such as mild steel and stainless steel), the paints and other coatings on the metals being welded, and ventilation.

Assessment Info:

The hazards posed by welding are dependent on the materials (e.g. base metal, electrodes and filler metals, shielding gases, etc); the welding process; and environmental conditions, such as the degree of enclosure or whether or not effective ventilation is in place.  Personal air monitoring of workers conducted under the supervision of a professional industrial hygienist  is used to determine whether exposure levels pose a health risk and are below legal and recommended exposure limits.

(Note) A professional industrial hygienist is a person possessing either a baccalaureate degree in engineering, chemistry, or physics or a baccalaureate degree in a closely related biological or physical science from an accredited college or university, who also has a minimum of three years of industrial hygiene experience.  For more detail visit:  http://www.aiha.org/Content/AboutAIHA/whatisIH.htm.  

Select Solution:

Substitution

Engineering control

Administrative control

Personal Protective Equipment