Welding Fume Safety - Everything You Need To Know

焊烟安全法例

UK legislation states that all workers must be protected from hazardous airborne substances. The Control of 物质s Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations set out clear rules for employers to provide a safe working environment including welding fume safety.

什么是焊接烟雾?

Fumes and particles produced by welding activities; a complex mix of airborne 气体es including Nitrous Oxide, 臭氧, 金属, 细颗粒.

焊接烟雾的危害

Welding fumes are very hazardous and classified as a known carcinogen. Workers who are exposed are at risk of developing occupational asthma, 癌症, 呼吸道的刺激, 金属烟雾热, 和肺炎, 在别人.

焊接烟尘风险评估

A critical part of any risk assessment is the identification and accurate assessment of the level of risk of exposure. 这是基于:

• 物质的毒性

• 所涉及的浓度

• 暴露时间

焊接烟尘暴露监测

There is no single Workplace Exposure Limit (逢) for welding fume. The HSE document EH40 defines the 逢s for various metal oxide compounds and 气体es which can be frequently found in welding fume:

The 逢s are based on an average 8-Hour Time Weighted Average of exposure. 在工人进行焊接时, it is possible that they are exposed to a short-term moderately high concentration but when averaged over an 8-hour shift the exposure is low.

Some substances have Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL) where concentrations must not exceed the limit over a 15-minute period.

焊烟安全

The legal limits are clearly defined by the 逢s and STELs and should not be exceeded , due to the classification of all welding fume being carcinogenic exposure should be reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

A COSHH Risk Assessment should define the frequency and program for any workplace exposure monitoring. 

Generally speaking, six samples should be taken within a similarly exposed group (SEG).

Regular monitoring should be conducted and the frequency should be based on the risk assessment taking into account:

• The Welding technique used (TIG, MIG, MMA, etc.)
• 活动频率和持续时间
• 历史年份暴露监测数据
• Engineering controls in place and efficacy of measures

It is important to note that when exposure monitoring is conducted on a given day that the operating conditions and workload should represent typical activities. For example, annual monitoring should be typical of conditions over that year as far as practicable. If significant changes or modifications are made then exposure monitoring should be conducted as soon as possible to assess the changes.

Welding fume extractors and other control measures

Due to the serious and harmful nature of welding fumes, all Indoor welding activities require engineering controls which are typically in the form of Local Exhaust Ventilation (列弗).

列弗 systems alone often cannot adequately control exposure and so suitable Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is employed to protect workers further.

室外焊接也需要足够的RPE. It is crucial that workers are trained in the correct use of RPE and PPE. 我们可以提供 面部贴合测试 法规遵从性.

• Use engineering measures to control welding fumes e.g. 列弗
• Adequate RPE should also be employed to provide further protection from remaining fumes
• 列弗s should be correctly operated and maintained with a Thorough Examination and Test every 14 months in accordance with HSG 258
• RPE should be adequately maintained and training provided on the correct use

联系im体育APP获取专家建议

接触单元 today to discuss Welding Fume Exposure Monitoring with our friendly experts.

Our Occupational Hygiene team has a wealth of experience and we can support you with a range of services including:

• 焊接烟尘监测

• 工作间空气监察

• 列弗调查

• 工作场所噪音评估

• 电磁场调查

• 室内空气质素调查

• Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) and Whole Body Vibration Surveys

• COSHH风险评估

• 采样器监控

• 培训课程