1. Welding Fume Hazards & Controls

2. 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

3. Welding Fume Health Effects
Disorders and Symptoms

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

5. 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

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

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

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

9. 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

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

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

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

13. 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.

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

15. Zinc
Metal fume fever
Essential mineral

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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