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- In July, 2018,
the International Agency for Research on Cancer,
published new research
into the carcinogenic risks of welding.
Welding fumes and UV radiation
have now been classified as Group 1 carcinogens.
If you work with welding, keep your people safe.
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The health effects of exposure to welding fumes,
vapours and gases can vary.
Effects include nose and throat irritations,
asthma, wheezing,
asphyxiation, lung damage,
bronchitis, pneumonia,
emphysema, and cancer.
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To reduce your worker's exposure
to hazardous welding fumes and UV radiation,
isolate welding processes in a ventilated booth
or area away from other workers.
You should always consider the welding processes,
filler metals and shielding gases you use
to reduce fume generation.
Make sure you review safety data sheets for welding rods,
so you fully understand the gases and fumes
that are released during the welding process.
If possible, substitute more hazardous welding rods
with a less hazardous or lower fume consumable.
Ensure you have adequate local exhaust ventilation systems,
such as a ventilated isolation booth, downdraft booth,
or on-tool extraction torch
to extract fumes, gases and vapours at the source.
Reflections from welding arcs can expose workers
to UV radiation.
Install non-flammable screens, partitions
and use low-reflecting paints to protect workers.
Welders should position their heads
outside of the welding plume
to reduce welding fumes entering the breathing zone.
The presence of oils, greases, paints
or mill scale and zinc coatings on base metals
will contribute to higher levels of fume.
Base metals should be cleaned
to remove surface contamination before welding.
Limit access to the welding area
and use signs to warn others that welding is occurring.
Modify the shielding gas blend
or their balance where practical to reduce welding fumes.
Welders must always use PPE
to reduce the risk of exposure to physical
and chemical hazards.
Protection includes auto-darkening welding helmets,
respiratory and hearing protection,
fire retardant clothing, and leather welding gloves,
jackets, and aprons.
To reduce the residual risks from welding,
others in the vicinity should use PPE,
such as respirators, hearing and eye protection.
Regularly conduct air monitoring
to get accurate information
about the potential exposure levels to welding fumes.
Air monitoring should be carried out by a competent person,
such as an occupational hygienist,
and records kept for 30 years.
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Different methods of welding
create higher levels of welding fumes.
Where practical, use a welding method
that produces the least amount of fumes,
such as submerged arc, TIG, or resistance welding.
Welding fume generation is proportional
to current and voltage.
Where practical, use controlled waveform machines
that deliver low fume metal transfer modes.
Smaller diameter welding rods
requiring less current and voltage
should also be considered
to reduce the generation of welding fumes.
Use a fume extraction welding torch
consisting of a duct connected to the welding torch.
Fumes, gases and vapours are extracted from the point source.
Use fixed and flexible systems, such as a welding booth,
downdraft table, or portable hoods with filters.
Each system has advantages and disadvantages
that you need to consider.
Get an expert, such as an occupational hygienist,
to determine the best methods
of extraction ventilation in your workspace.
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You must ensure all equipment used in welding
is adequately maintained.
Electrical equipment, such as power sources,
welding machines and ventilation systems
must be properly installed, maintained, repaired,
and tested by a competent person.
Equipment used with compressed gases, including regulators,
must be regularly inspected and maintained
to prevent hazards such as gas leaks.
Gas cylinders must be inspected
to check if they are visibly damaged or corroded,
and whether they are within test date.
Protective equipment must be in good working order
and kept clean and hygienic.
Some protective equipment may have a limited lifespan
and need to be replaced periodically,
while other types may become damaged or ineffective,
if stored incorrectly.
Anyone undertaking welding work must be trained
in the proper use of protective equipment,
how to work safely in hazardous areas,
such as confined spaces,
safe welding procedures,
first aid and emergency procedures,
how to access and understand safety data sheets
for hazardous chemicals,
and the nature of and reasons
for any health monitoring requirements.
If you work with welding, keep your people safe.
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