Monitoring your workers’ exposure to welding fumes will help you to ensure that their health is not at risk. It also helps to ensure that company owners stay on the right side of the COSHH Regulations.
Contact us to enquire about our welding fume monitoring services or read on for a comprehensive guide.
Welding is an indispensable process in numerous industries across the United Kingdom, vital for constructing structures and various products. However, it carries inherent risks, with one of the primary concerns being exposure to welding fumes. In detail, these fumes consist of a complex mixture of metallic oxides, particulate matter, and gaseous compounds. These pose significant health hazards to workers. On this page, we will explore welding fume exposure, its health implications, and the undoubtedly crucial role of welding fume monitoring within the context of UK legislation.
Welding fumes comprise several elements, each with potential health risks, in line with UK regulatory guidelines, these consist of:
During welding, the process of melting and fusing metal generates small, respirable particles of various metals, including iron, manganese, chromium, and nickel. These particles can range in size from nanometers to micrometers and can therefore penetrate deep into the respiratory system.
The vaporization of metal during welding reacts with oxygen in the air to produce metal oxides. Some of these oxides are highly toxic, such as hexavalent chromium, which is known to cause lung cancer.
Welding also releases gases like ozone, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide, which can irritate the respiratory system. This too leads to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Some welding processes involve the use of flux or coatings to protect the molten metal from atmospheric contamination. These materials can emit additional hazardous compounds when heated, further contributing to the complexity of welding fumes.
Exposure to welding fumes can result in various health consequences. The severity of this depends on factors like the type of welding, duration of exposure, and the effectiveness of control measures. Some common health effects include:
In the United Kingdom, a comprehensive framework of welding health and safety regulations and guidelines govern the protection of workers from the harmful effects of welding fumes. These standards set exposure limits for specific substances within welding fumes. Key regulatory bodies and guidelines include:
These regulations and guidelines are pivotal for safeguarding the well-being of workers, and adherence to them is essential. However, effective welding fume monitoring is a critical component of ensuring compliance.
Measuring welding fume exposure is integral to upholding the safety and health of workers in the United Kingdom. This practice involves the measurement of airborne contaminant concentrations in the workplace to evaluate compliance with exposure limits and to pinpoint areas necessitating control measures. Here are the key elements of monitoring welding fume exposure within the context of UK legislation:
Companies can implement several welding fume control measures to mitigate exposure.
Welding fumes can cause cancer and also some of the metals are sensitizers. For this reason, employers should keep up a program of monitoring and keep exposure as low as reasonably practicable. In fact, because there is no safe level, HSE document WL3 states how much control is needed for good practice. In summary, the HSE expects sites to stop exposure to fumes in most cases using LEV systems. When it is not possible to use an LEV outside, it is sometimes acceptable to use RPE on its own. But, more often than not, for high-intensity welding (more than 1 hr per shift), it is better to use RPE along with LEVs.
Employers have a legal duty to test and maintain systems following HSE guidance HSG258 ‘Controlling airborne contaminants at work’.
Synergy’s occupational hygiene consultants also offer this testing service. We recommend combining welding fume monitoring in the workplace air with LEV testing if at all possible.
Give us a call today about our monitoring services to see how we can help you to reduce exposure to fume.
Welding is a cornerstone of various industries in the United Kingdom, but it carries inherent risks, particularly associated with welding fume exposure. In summary, protecting the health and safety of workers is of paramount importance. By adhering to regulations, implementing effective monitoring practices, and robust control measures, the welding industry can minimize the adverse consequences of welding fumes and ensure a secure working environment for all. Monitoring is not merely a legal requirement but a vital tool in safeguarding those who dedicate their skills to welding from the concealed hazards of fume exposure.
Workplace air monitoring is a fundamental aspect of worker safety and COSHH compliance in most industries. From inert compounds to hazardous substances, Synergy’s team of Occupational Hygiene Consultants can work with you to get you a report in 15 working days. We specialise in all these workplace hazards.
As well as welding fume monitoring, Synergy also provides a wide range of other consultancy, monitoring and testing services:
Hand Arm Vibration Testing measures the vibration levels emitted by tools and machinery in the workplace to create an HAVs assessment.
Noise Assessment and Monitoring Services to measure the personal noise exposure of your workers.
From biological monitoring, and urinalysis, to forklift truck and working from height medicals, Synergy can help.
Synergy Occupational Hygiene is a subsidiary of Synergy Environmental Solutions Limited.
Registered in England 7937140.
VAT Registration Number 157959059
