Welding is undoubtedly dangerous to the professionals performing it due to the fumes and gases in the welding environment. If the workers are not properly protected there is a chance of inhaling toxic fumes generated through the process of welding metals.
There are different techniques through which metals are welded together:
Some rely on the metals connecting on their own after being partially melted and others rely on additional filling metal, fed in the middle of the welds. The types of metals that we are welding together and the type of filler we would use will produce different welding fumes and gases.
Welding fumes are a mixture of:
Fumes are formed when we heat up the metals above their boiling point. At this point, the vapours condense into fine, particles (solid particulates). Welding fumes generally contain particles from the electrode (filler metals) and the material being welded.
Inhaling welding fumes can cause ill effects such as:
Welding fume can also inflict chronic respiratory health effects like lung cancer, occupational asthma and others.
Welding gases are both gases used and produced during the welding procedures. Or produced by the interaction between ultraviolet light or high temperatures with gases and vapours already present in the air.
Types of welding gases:
Welding gases have ill effects on welders similar to those of welding fumes. They can also cause asthma, lack of oxygen and are toxic. Welding gases also irritate the eyes and lungs, cause irritant induced asthma and others. The chronic respiratory ill effects of welding gases are the same as with welding fumes.
However, welding gases might just be even more dangerous. Some of those gases are extremely flammable and can be the cause of fire hazards and even explosions.
First and foremost, you need to think about the way you’re handling day to day tasks at your workspace. You will need to establish a procedure that limits the situations in which there might be welding fumes and gases produced in the air. Consider cold-joining methods where you can. Of course, that will not be possible in some cases. This is when respiratory protection equipment (RPE) comes in handy. You will also need to provide proper ventilation in the facility. Local exhaust systems are mandatory. They will suck out dangerous fumes and welding gases out of the area of breathing right after they are released in the air.
The degreaser baths and container in the welding facility must be kept sealed. Workers should only weld materials that are completely dried from solvents and are well cleaned from protective coatings and paint.
Last but not least, respiratory protection is not a substitute for proper mechanical ventilation and local exhaust systems. It should be used alongside those methods in order to provide a large spectre of protection to you and your employees.
If you are in the search for a welding extraction system, you are at the right place. If you need some guidance picking the right product don’t hesitate to call our experienced representatives at 01455 616444. At Ducting Express, we will happily assist you in creating a safe and productive working environment for professional, semi-professional or hobby welders alike. There is the right equipment for everybody.
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