2/21/2023 0 Comments Osha breathing zone definition![]() ![]() Measurement and preventionĪ welder’s exposure can only be determined by taking a sample of the welder’s breathing air during the workday, essential when hardfacing, welding with stainless steel, or with other special ventilation products. Suspend welding until the situation is resolved. Back in the shop, be sure the supervisor and any co-workers are aware of the situation and can avoid the hazard. If they continue to feel the symptoms, consult a doctor. If a welder feels symptoms of being overexposed, he or she should stop welding and go outdoors for fresh air immediately. If instantaneous monitoring is not feasible, then the ceiling shall be assessed as a 15-minute time-weighted average exposure which shall not be exceeded at any time over a working day.” ![]() “Ceiling is the employee’s exposure which shall not be exceeded during any part of the work day. OSHA has published a ceiling limit definition regarding how much fume it takes to impact a welder: Carbon monoxide can also be present and pose a hazard if levels are excessive. Most of the shielding gases used in arc welding-argon, helium and carbon dioxide-are nontoxic, but they can displace oxygen in breathing air, causing dizziness, unconsciousness and possible death. There are also the shielding gases used in arc welding. ![]() If a base metal that’s plated or painted cannot be cleaned before welding, the composition of the coating should be evaluated. In addition, pay attention to the surface being welded. There’s also possible overexposure to zinc from welding on galvanized steel that can cause “fume fever,” featuring symptoms that mimic the common flu. Overexposure to manganese may affect the central nervous system, resulting in irreversible coordination problems, difficulty speaking, and tremors in the arms and legs. Also, some forms of the two metals have been known or suspected to cause lung cancer in nonwelding processes, according to information published by Lincoln Electric. The most common compounds in arc welding fume mild steel are iron, manganese, and silicon, although other compounds in the electrode or base metal may be in the welding fume.įumes from the use of stainless steel and hardfacing products are likely to contain chromium or nickel, which have their own potential health effects, such as asthma. And during that time a worker could be overexposed very easily.” What’s in welding fumes? “When you’re doing overlays and rebuilding surfaces on larger pieces of earthmoving equipment, there’s a lot of welding at any given time. “Hardfacing is an application that has higher fume-generation rates than just joining two pieces of metal together,” says Allan Hilbert, product manager for Filtair equipment at Miller Electric. Hardfacing also involves heavier flux-cored wire. This is particularly true in hardfacing, work with stainless steel, and other arc welding projects that may feature high arc-on time. Less obvious is how to prevent exposure to the fumes and gases inherent with many welding projects-and keeping the shop door open for ventilation isn’t always enough. Vision protection and protection from heat and electricity, or the arc itself, are obvious precautions for welding. ![]()
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