20150 Inside:. 1/29/08 10:15 AM Page 13
Welding fume Welding fume
By Lawrence A. Kurtz, MSM, DOHS, ROH
What is welding fume? ® Sheet metal workers ® Ironworkers The heat from welding vapourizes ® Elevator workers metal,f luxes, and coatings, ® Labourers producing airborne vapour. The vapour cools in the air, resulting in ® Demolition workers. particles of metal and other Other workers such as electricians, material suspended in the air. This insulators, and interior finishers cloud of airborne particles is called may work in close proximity to welding fume. welding activities and can be affected by welding fumes as well. Who is most at risk? How can welding fumes Controls Welding fumes are produced hurt me? during all welding activities Use alternative processes that produce less fume and dust. including: Welding fumes are easily inhaled Select less hazardous welding ® air gouging and they can affect the nose, throat, and lungs. rods. Read the material safety ® brazing data sheets (MSDSs) for the ® tungsten inert gas (TIG) Welding fumes can contain rods to evaluate the hazards. welding ® nickel and chromium (cancer- Weld outdoors and downwind ® shielding metal arc welding causing metals) from other workers. (SMAW) ® manganese (can cause Use a fume extractor when ® flux core arc welding (FCAW) Parkinson’s disease) working indoors. ® gas metal arc welding ® cadmium (causes kidney Remove grease and all coatings (GMAW). disease and may cause cancer) from the welding surface Fumes may also be produced ® shielding gases, such as before welding. This is during spot welding or grinding nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and particularly important when activities. helium (asphyxiants) working with lead-painted material. ® carbon monoxide (a chemical Workers directly exposed to asphyxiate—it replaces oxygen Position yourself so that your welding fumes include: in the blood and can prevent head is out of the fume. ® Welders you from getting enough Keep the work area clean and ® Plumbers oxygen to your brain and vital free of combustible materials. organs) ® Steamfitters Educate workers on the health ® fluorides and acids in the fluxes effects of welding and how to ® Sprinkler fitters (can irritate the lungs, sinuses, protect themselves. ® Millwrights skin, and eyes). Use appropriate respiratory ® Boilermakers protection if other controls are ineffective.
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MAGAZINE Winter 2007/2008 13