Pan Gulf Industrial Investment - OHSAS

Training

8/26/2015

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

Date: August 1, 2015 - Rev . 0

OHSAS Training

Course No. OHSAS-06

Slide No.1

Aluminum

Welding Fume Health Effects

Disorders and Symptoms

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

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Has shown increases in dementia

Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis
Parkinsons dementia
Alzheimers (speculation)

Cadmium

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Released enzymes from damaged cells in lungs
results in irreversible damage

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Cobalt

8/26/2015

Copper
Eye nose and throat irritation

Asthma
Cumulative lung changes
Dermatitis

Iron

Siderosis fibrosis of the lungs caused

by iron oxide exposure
Disturbances in lung function
Diabetes mellitus

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

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Metal fume fever

Acute lung damage edema
Eye, upper respiratory tract irritation

Magnesium
Metal fume fever chills, fever,
muscle aches

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

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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

8/26/2015

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

the extremities, and cause pain

Also affects kidney, gastrointestinal,
reproductive and skeletal systems

Zinc
Metal fume fever

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

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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

Hierarchy of Controls
Engineering 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

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Training

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

Local Exhaust Ventilation Systems

8/26/2015

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

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

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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

Pan Gulf Industrial Investment - OHSAS

Training

8/26/2015

Thank You

Jawaid Iqbal Karim