3 Simple Practices That Can Reduce Welding Fume Exposure at Workplace
Welders and fabricators are often exposed to harmful fumes that can deteriorate their overall health and well-being. In Australia, strict standards are set to reduce welding fume exposure for different types of welding. Welders’ safety and well-being can be assured by installing portable fume extractors or full-fledged fume-extraction systems.
How is the hazardous fume generated?
The welding process forms strong joints by melting a metalwork piece with a filler metal. However, visible smoke containing harmful metal fumes and gas is produced during this process. Protecting welders and coworkers from the hazardous substances that welding fumes carry is essential.
Types of welding:
There are two main types of welding: fusion and pressure. In fusion, only heat is used to form joints. Meanwhile, both heat and pressure are utilised in pressure. Electricity, gas, or thermit (chemical reaction) is used to generate the required heat. In some welding jobs, gas or oxy-fuel is used to burn acetylene. This produces the required heat to melt the metal. Some also use thermit welding, which is a chemical reaction to produce intense heat.
The metal fume may contain metals like aluminium, chromium, cobalt, iron, copper, nickel, tin, titanium, zinc, molybdenum, lead, and others. It may also contain gases like helium, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, phosgene, and others.
Impact of welding fumes on health:
- Prolonged exposure to welding fumes and gases can irritate the eye, nose or throat.
- It can cause dizziness and nausea.
- It may damage the lungs and increase the risk of lung, larynx and urinary tract cancer.
- It may cause metal fume fever, stomach ulcers, and kidney and nervous system damage.
- Gases in the fumes can cause suffocation, especially in confined spaces.
Here are a few recommended actions that can help adhere to the stipulated fume exposure limit.
1. At-source fume control:
Maximum fume can be captured at the source of its generation. It can be controlled through Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) or a good-quality fume extraction system such as hooded or on-gun fume extractors. This fume is later filtered and exhausted outside the workshop.2. Personal respiratory protection:
The welder is exposed to the fume when the head is near the weld plume. Therefore, it is essential to equip the welders with Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) as an excellent precautionary measure. Air-fed helmets can also protect the welder from fumes in confined spaces where oxygen monitoring is essential. Welding fume and extraction experts can help advise what equipment can give maximum protection in specific situations.3. Monitoring the air data:
Apart from providing welders with equipment and setting up a fume extraction system, it is essential to monitor and analyse the types of fumes in the air by collecting and monitoring the air data. It helps in identifying hazardous components in welding fumes, and setting up fume extraction systems accordingly. One must consider the types of welding and processes and consult with workers. It will help review control measures and minimise workers’ exposure to welding fumes.Breathe Easy with Proper Fume Extraction – Contact Us Now!
Keeping the workplace free from hazardous welding fumes is important to meeting safety standards and maintaining a positive work environment. Santana Stud Welding is a renowned construction company that prioritises its workers’ health and implements all required measures, like installing fume extraction systems for different types of welding.
To learn more about safety practices in welding, contact 0418 684 336. To learn more about our projects and services, visit santanastudwelding.com.au, email santanastudwelding@bigpond.com, or 17 Waynote, PL, Unanderra, NSW 2526.
