7
SAFETY INSTRUCTION
Safety against fumes and welding gases
The HSE have identified welders as being an ‘at risk’ group for occupational diseases arising
from exposure to dusts, gases, vapours and welding fumes. The main identified health effects
are pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung and kidney
cancer, metal fume fever (MFF) and lung function changes.
During welding and hot cutting ‘hot work’ operations, fumes are produced which are
collectively known as welding fume. Depending upon the type of welding process being
performed, the resultant fume generated is a complex and highly variable mixture of gases and
particulates.
Regardless of the length of welding being carried out, all welding
fume, including mild steel welding requires suitable engineering
controls to be in place which is usually Local Exhaust Ventilation
(LEV) extraction to reduce the exposure to welding fume indoors
and where LEV does not adequately control exposure it should
also be enhanced by using suitable respiratory protective
equipment (RPE) to assist with protecting against residual fume.
When welding outdoors appropriate RPE should be used.
Prior to undertaking any welding tasks an appropriate risk
assessment should be carried out to ensure expected control
measures are in place.
Locate the equipment in a well-ventilated position and keep your head out of the welding fume.
Do not breathe the welding fume.
Ensure the welding zone is well-ventilated and provision should be made for suitable local fume
extraction system to be in place.
If ventilation is poor, wear an approved airfed welding helmet or respirator.
Read and understand the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS’s) and the manufacturer’s instructions for
metals, consumable, coatings, cleaners and de-greasers.
Do not weld in locations near any de-greasing, cleaning or spraying operations.
Be aware that heat and rays of the arc can react with vapours to form highly toxic and irritating gases.
For further information please refer to the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk for related documentation.
Precautions against fire and explosion
Avoid causing fires due to sparks and hot waste or molten metal.
Ensure that appropriate fire safety devices are available near the
welding and cutting area.
Remove all flammable and combustible materials from the welding,
cutting and surrounding areas.
Do not weld or cut fuel and lubricant containers, even if empty. These must be
carefully cleaned before they can be welded or cut.
Always allow the welded or cut material to cool before touching it or placing it in
contact with combustible or flammable material.
Do not work in atmospheres with high concentrations of combustible fumes, flammable gases and dust.
Always check the work area half an hour after cutting to make sure that no fires have begun.
Take care to avoid accidental contact of electrode to metal objects. This could cause arcs, explosion,
overheating or fire.
Understand your fire extinguishers
An example of personal fume protection
