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Understanding Welding Fume Risks: Health Effects & Prevention Measures

This update discusses the reclassification of mild steel welding fume as a carcinogen, highlighting lung and kidney cancer risks and other health effects. It covers control measures like local exhaust ventilation, respiratory protective equipment, and health surveillance to prevent exposure. The text emphasizes the importance of training, maintenance, and compliance with HSE regulations to safeguard against fatal accidents and occupational hazards. Resources, tips, and links are provided for further information and guidance.

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Understanding Welding Fume Risks: Health Effects & Prevention Measures

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  1. HSE update March 2019 Liz Hunter 020 3028 3369 HM Inspector of Health and Safety elizabeth.hunter@hse.gov.uk

  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 2017- 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)

  4. Human cost https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIaao_0Hk2o

  5. Lung Cancer Symptoms

  6. 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)

  7. 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!

  8. Positioning of LEV • http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/mobile-fume-extraction-hoods-3.htm

  9. References • http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/videos.htm BOHS course: Certificate in Controlling Health Risks • http://www.breathefreely.org.uk/courses-and-trainng.html Workplace Health Expert Committee https://webcommunities.hse.gov.uk/connect.ti/WHEC/grouphome Advice on LEV management http://www.hse.gov.uk/lev/faqs.htm https://www.cibse.org/Institute-of-Local-Exhaust-Ventilation-Engineers http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg408.pdf Welding LEV checklist https://safe-welding.com/extraction-arm-ten-facts-for-ideal-properties-when-extracting-welding-fumes/ http://www.badairday.info/docs/welding_fume_hazard_information_pack_june_2014.pdf http://www.hse.gov.uk/welding/fume-facts.htm

  10. 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

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