With all the fresh attention and focus being put on controlling the smoke generated from welding, you may well be asking: what are the dangers of weld fumes - really?
If you’ve ever been near someone who is welding, you’ll be familiar with the smoke and fumes that hangs in the air.
It’s got a metallic taste and an acrid, hot smell.
Linger in this area for too long and you’ll know it catches the back of your throat and can become uncomfortable.
That’s just the start though.
The real dangers of weld fumes are far more severe and can lead to life-changing illnesses and health problems such as lung cancer, as well as present serious safety related risks.
The dangers of weld fumes are not limited to respiratory illnesses, so it’s important to explain this holistically.
The fumes created when welding contain many harmful contaminants such as metallic oxides, gases, and other hazardous substances.
Short or limited exposure to these fumes can lead to mild respiratory problems such as an irritation of the nose, throat, and/or lungs.
More extensive exposure can cause more serious problems such as bronchitis, pneumonitis, and, in extreme cases, lung cancer.
Weld fume is classed as a Group 1 Carcinogen so the risk here cannot be underestimated or trivialised.
In some cases, welders can develop kidney cancer as a result of breathing in weld fume.
Also, within weld fumes are fine, respirable particulates.
These can be inhaled deep into the lungs due to their extremely fine particle size and can cause lung inflammation, as well as facilitate the development of respiratory diseases such as Pneumosiderosis (Welder’s lung).
The fumes are also a sensitiser - as they can exacerbate any existing or ongoing respiratory conditions such as asthma.
The effects of breathing in weld fumes are more obvious when they result in respiratory problems; however, the effects of metal poisoning can take longer to notice.
Exposure to the various metallic components within weld fumes, such as manganese, chromium, nickel, lead, and cadmium can affect the central nervous system as well as internal organs such as the kidneys and liver.
Such metal poisoning is evidenced symptomatically by tremors, memory loss, kidney damage and, of course, respiratory issues. They may take longer to develop and can go unnoticed for some time.
Not only do welding fumes contain ultra-fine particulates, but also hazardous chemicals, which can likewise be damaging to your employees’ health if they are exposed.
Such chemicals include ozone, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Acute exposure to these substances can cause temporary issues such as irritation of the skin and eyes, headaches, and dizziness.
Chronic symptoms, as a result of repeated or heavy exposure, can include neurological damage as well as cancer.
While weld fumes themselves are not flammable in the strictest sense, the fine dust particles can create an explosive atmosphere, particularly if the welding is being carried out in a confined, enclosed, or poorly ventilated area, where the fumes are not able to dissipate.
These particles can also increase the likelihood of a fire should they be allowed to settle in large quantities in areas where a source of ignition is present - particularly if combined with flammable fluids such as oils and lubricants.
Poor management of health and safety, where welding is carried out, will always give rise to increased levels of risk in the workplace.
For example, visibility may be reduced where welding is being carried out in a poorly ventilated work area.
It doesn’t take a safety expert to realise that reduced visibility can increase the likelihood of accidents occurring.
Similarly, a lack of fume extraction, combined with irregular or ineffective housekeeping, can result in large accumulations of welding dust particles accumulating on floor surfaces.
These residue build-ups can be slippery, increasing the likelihood of trips and falls. Any slip, trip or fall combined with the extreme dangers of live welding equipment can cause serious, life changing injury - so this risk cannot be underestimated.
In a similar vein, if weld fume residues are allowed to accumulate on machinery, it can cause damage, particularly to more sophisticated or precision equipment.
While this may cause operational issues, it may also present safety risks should critical functionality such as emergency stops and controls be compromised.
While there are clearly several risks associated with weld fumes, it can be effectively managed with relative ease.
The most effective means of minimising the dangers of weld fumes are to capture and remove them at source by means of extraction.
We have a range of equipment designed for this exact purpose here at Fumex; from space-saving, portable systems for small workshops through to large-scale, industrial units designed to remove weld fumes from multiple workstations simultaneously throughout the working day.
Removing the weld fumes at source eliminates the health risks arising from exposure, and also reduces the reliance on cumbersome RPE.
Fume extraction systems are referred to as a collective control by the HSE, whereby they protect multiple people - which is more favourable compared to an individual control such as RPE.
As mentioned earlier in this article, regular and effective housekeeping can help to reduce the likelihood of exposure to weld fume residues.
Keep in mind, however, that sweeping, brushing, and wiping are ineffective methods of cleaning, and increase the risk of exposure due to the agitation of dusts causing them to become airborne and respirable.
Housekeeping activities should, therefore, be carried out using vacuum equipment, not only to minimise the risks of exposure, but also to satisfy the HSE, who take a strong stance against the use of brushes and brooms.
Ensure your welding equipment is functioning properly and efficiently in order to minimise the production of weld fumes.
Likewise, ensure that any fume extraction and ventilation systems are maintained to ensure proper function.
Regular inspection of workplace equipment, for example flow rates of extraction systems, will help to keep weld fume levels minimised within your workplace.
Extraction systems should be inspected regularly in line with statutory law and manufacturers’ guidelines.
Like so many hazards within the workplace, the dangers of weld fumes can be mitigated and controlled with relative ease, reducing the risks of health problems within your workforce - and also helping to increase productivity and efficiency.
However, if you’re still wondering what the dangers of weld fumes are, and how to manage them - get in touch. We’ll be happy to advise you on how to keep your employees and workplace safe.
