Welding health and safety
As welding professionals, utmost importance has to be given for Heath and safety during any type of welding fabrication.WELDING
PROCESSES are associated with many types of health and safety issues.Recommendations for safe working to be strictly followed
in workshops as well as at site working.Electrical shocks,bright light,ultraviolet radiation,welding hazardous fumes,heat burns, injuries ,noise are some issues to be dealt with every day in welding fabrication.Standard personal protective equipment use
is a must for welding operators.Welders must wear helmet,aprons,
gloves,and safety shoes as per recommendations of the process.
Eyes and face require protection from radiation,intense light,hot slag,irritation,sparks,chemical burns.Welding helmets,goggles ,hand shields to be used to safe guard.Respirators protect lungs
from hazardous welding fumes and gases.Flame resistant clothing and aprons provide safety for skin from burns, heat and fires.Ear muffs protect ears from abnormal noise levels due to grinding,chipping,hammering etc.Safety shoes and gloves protect from electrical shocks,injuries.CSA,ANSI standards provide guide lines for selecting appropriate PPE.
Factors that affect worker exposure to welding fume
• Type of welding process(SMAW,GMAW,SAW,FCAW)
• Base metal and filler metals used( Metals harmful)
• Welding rod composition(Flux coating)
• Location (outside, enclosed space)
• Welder work practices(PPE )
• Air movement
• Use of ventilation controls
Welding fume and gases can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, dizziness and nausea. Longer duration exposure may cause problems for lungs,and may lead to cancer.Some metallic fumes cause stomach ulcers,kidney problems,nervous system failure.Oxygen depletion in environment due to shielding gases cause breathlessness.Fume extractors from work area will be very helpful to control level of hazardous fumes.Welding fabrication workshops should have high ceiling and full ventilation is a must.
For Arc welding, the correct filter shade is selected according to the welding process, wire diameter, and operating current.
SMAW requires filter shade of 12-14(lower to higher current levels).
GMAW requires filter shade of 11-14 .
Long time exposure to UV radiation causes cataract for some persons.Hence use of correct filter shade is essential.
Welding fumes are influenced by type of metal transfer.In GMAW
spray transfer produces less fumes than globular transfer.
Welding of Galvanized steels– health and safety
Fumes from welding galvanized steel primarily contain zinc, iron and lead. The fume composition and amount typically depend on the composition of material as well as the current, voltage and welding process type. Studies on the effects of human exposure to cutting and welding fumes have presented contradictory and inconclusive evidence. Quantifying the effects is difficult for several reasons. Working conditions vary widely, even for the same process.
Welders may experience feverish conditions after welding.