1. HM Inspector of Health and Safety
HSE update March 2019
Liz Hunter
HM Inspector of Health and Safety

2. Welding fume exposure: what’s changed?
MILD STEEL WELDING FUME HAS BEEN RECLASSIFIED AS A CARCINOGEN
*International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report division of WHO
(cutting & burning not carcinogenic, but still high risk)
‘sufficient evidence in humans’ that welding fumes cause lung cancer and limited evidence for kidney cancer.*

3. Welding fume health effects
Cancer of the lungs or kidneys – damage to DNA Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Asthma, pneumonia, impaired immune responses Neurological effects similar to Parkinson's disease Examples of toxic welding substances: PAHs, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, ozone or the oxides produced by the metals copper, lead and zinc. Cancer agents include chrome (VI) & (III) compounds, nickel oxide or cobalt oxide. (UV radiation can cause rare eye cancers)

5. Human cost

6. Lung Cancer Symptoms

7. Control measures
Prevention – off-site fabrication? Design? Fixed or mobile source capture LEV: use, maintenance & LOLER TET RPE (min P3A2): FFT, storage & maintenance Segregation Training & instructions Health surveillance & Health Records Good general ventilation (air flow)

8. Changes to HSE enforcement
LEV is mandatory for all welding types
RPE programme essential
COSHH assessment reviews – controls must be ALARP
Contractor RAMS review
Training needs analysis
Health surveillance & health records (as stainless)
No lead in period, start now!

9. Positioning of LEV

10. References http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/fume-facts.htm
BOHS course: Certificate in Controlling Health Risks
Workplace Health Expert Committee
Advice on LEV management
Welding LEV checklist

11. Fatal accident at Bridge of Don Crossing
Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Limited was fined £600,000 at Aberdeen Sherriff Court on 25/2/19 CDM Regulation 13(1) Crushing injuries Immediate causes Underlying causes