Welding Fume Hazards & Controls

Welding Fumes Contain a variety of chemicals Depends upon what is being welded on The makeup of the Rods Fluxes Shielding gases Confined Spaces E.G. Welding on stainless steel generates hexavalent chromium

Welding Fume Health Effects Disorders and Symptoms

Aluminum Has shown increases in dementia Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis Parkinsons dementia Alzheimers (speculation)

Beryllium Berylliosis – scarring of the lungs preventing exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. There is no cure Lung cancer Mostly inhaled soluble beryllium compounds and dust

Cadmium Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Released enzymes from damaged cells in lungs results in irreversible damage Greatest exposure from food.

Cobalt Asthma Cumulative lung changes Dermatitis One of 8 essential minerals.

Copper Eye nose and throat irritation Metal fume fever Acute lung damage – edema Eye, upper respiratory tract irritation

Iron Siderosis – fibrosis of the lungs caused by iron oxide exposure Disturbances in lung function Diabetes mellitus Most overdoses by children with medicines, essential mineral

Magnesium Metal fume fever – chills, fever, muscle aches Essential mineral

Manganese Manganism (manganese encephelopathy) similar to Parkinson’s Symptoms are irritability, difficulty in walking, speech disturbances Compulsive behaviors – running, fighting, singing Liver cirrhosis

Nickel Respiratory tract carcinogen – lung and nasal cancer Nickel carbonyl - formed by combining nickel fumes and carbon monoxide – is extremely toxic

Lead Peripheral neuropathy – damage that interrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body and can impair muscle movement, prevent normal sensation in the extremities, and cause pain Also affects kidney, gastrointestinal, reproductive and skeletal systems In adults.

Vanadium Skin and eye irritant Gastrointestinal distress, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cardiac palpitation, tremor, nervous depression, and kidney damage.

Zinc Metal fume fever Essential mineral

Chromium Hexavalent chromium from welding Trivalent from soluble salts New hexavalent chromium standard Ulceration of nasal septum, skin Not considered a carcinogen as a fume

Evaluation of Welding Fume Hazards Review MSDSs Consumables, base metals, coatings, cleaners Conduct air monitoring Determine need for controls or respiratory protection Select appropriate controls or respiratory protection Determine the effectiveness of controls or respiratory protection

Hierarchy of Controls Engineering controls Administrative controls Initial design specifications Methods of substitution, process change, isolation, or ventilation Administrative controls Reduce work times in contaminated areas Other work rules Personal protective equipment Method of last resort Used in conjunction with engineering or other controls

Engineering Controls for Welding Substitution Substitute a less hazardous material for one that is harmful to health Change the process Automation Remove paint/coatings from metal Isolation Worker, process, or work operation

Engineering Controls for Welding Ventilation Local exhaust ventilation systems Capture or contain contaminants at source System consists of one of more hoods, ducts, an air cleaner, and a fan Flexible or movable ventilation systems needed “A must” when welding potentially toxic materials Proper method to control exposure to welding fumes

Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems

Engineering Controls for Welding Ventilation General ventilation systems Add or remove air from work areas Use natural convection through open doors or windows, roof ventilators, and chimneys Air movement produced by fans or blowers Use in conjunction with local exhaust ventilation

Administrative Controls for Welding Reduce work times in contaminated areas Job rotation Schedule work to reduce number of employees exposed Other work rules Keep head out of fumes Stand upwind of direction of fumes

Personal Protective Equipment Respiratory protection Use in conjunction with engineering and/or administrative controls Use when engineering and/or administrative controls are not feasible Employer must select the appropriate type of respirator Employer must implement and maintain a respiratory protection program