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Warning: Weld Safely
"NEWS" IARC Report Quantifies and Links Welding Fumes to Cancer.
A May 29, 2019 article in Reuters Health summarized their report findings stating:
“Workers exposed to welding fumes are more likely to develop lung cancer. Researchers examined data from 45 previously published studies with a total of roughly 17 million participants. Overall, people who worked as welders or had exposure to welding fumes were 43 percent more likely to develop lung cancer. When researchers looked only at data from studies that accounted for both smoking and asbestos exposure, welding was still associated with a 17 percent higher risk of lung cancer.”
This respected International Agency for Research from Cancer (IARC) now classifies welding fumes as carcinogenic. On their website the largest supplier of welding filler metals, Lincoln Electric states the IARC reclassification of welding fumes as being carcinogenic: “…may influence future regulatory or recommended exposure limits applicable to welding fumes.” They also state: “… employers may need to consider adequate respiratory protection methods including the use of positive pressure options like supplied-air and Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) systems.”
But a PAPR makes the excess heat from welding worse- see our patented solution at bottom of page.
As a minimum, check for key elements in fumes that are mentioned on all welding material Warning Labels or SDS:
Safe Levels of Manganese Fume Decreased by 10 Fold From an Already Low Level !
Some Provinces in Canada have already incorporated these new levels in their laws.
OSHA, will follow as they have in the past !
 JUST HOW LOW IS THE NEW MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE MANGANESE FUME LEVEL?
- -Very Low!
When our welding R&D Lab started to routinely measure welding filler metal fume levels, in the mid 1970's, the allowed "Threshold Limit Value," (TLV) for Manganese was 5 mg/m3. That was the same as iron so it was not considered a significant issue. The TLV has reduced steadily over the years and now is at the very low level of 0.02 mg/m3. Compare with the TLV for a poison gas used in WW I, Phosgene, it is 4 times lower! That level of exposure is determined as an average acceptable over an 8 hour work day. You or the management of the company must measure to see if this rate is being exceeded. These are not short time measurements. A welder wears a small battery powered pump on their belt that pulls air into a filter for usually 4 or more hours. The flow rate is about the same as human breathing rate. The inlet to the filter is usually a small plastic hose with the open end attached under the welding helmet. Fumes entering the tubing will be collected by the filter. The total fume weight is then accurately measured and the chemical composition analyzed. If you don't have the resources to have these measurements made then follow the welding filler metals manufacturers warnings on the box. Most, if not all, say "If you don't measure, wear a respirator." If you're only welding for a short time during the day you may not be exceeding the allowable maximum level but measuring is the only way to be sure.
Details:
In 2013, the maximum allowable
levels of exposure to Manganese was reduced to a very low amount.
Manganese is a common alloy element in all steel. Cases sited for this recent change include: A study that demonstrated increased neurobehavioral changes among workers exposed to 0.01 to 0.04 mg.m3. Another statistical model showed a level of 0.02 mg/.m3 would lead to impaired hand steadiness in 2.5 % of the workers.
This is what one
filler metals manufacturer states about exposure to Manganese in the Section
on Chronic Toxicity in their Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
“Overexposure
to manganese and manganese compounds above safe exposure limits can cause
irreversible damage to the central nervous system, including the brain,
symptoms of which may include slurred speech, lethargy, tremor, muscular
weakness, psychological disturbances and spastic gait.” (Note, most
manufacturers have similar warnings on their MSDS’s.)
From the
information in the above, when welding in an industrial environment,
Manganese fumes could easily exceed the new lower allowable Manganese level by 5 to over 10 times! Only actual measurement can define if this
is the case. If it is, and more ventilation is not possible, some type
of respirator may be needed.
Manufacturers of welding electrodes
warn on their MSDS's and
filler metal package
warnings:
Use a respirator or air supplied respirator when welding
in a confined space, or where local exhaust or ventilation is not sufficient
to keep exposure values within safe limits.
See a Possible Solution Below - Our
Recently Patented Welding Helmet Design.
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 Welders
on TV often use HAZARDOUS Practices for the purposes of a
better
visual production. The program credits may have Warning
Statements to the effect that simulations were made
for TV viewing and normal safeguards were not used etc. The following
information is provided to assist in understanding proper WELDING SAFETY.
As with other
presentations on this web site, this safety information is
referenced from authoritative sources. In this case the American Welding
Society (AWS) offers a FREE for download 61 page booklet, ANSI Z49.1
"Safety in Welding and Cutting and Allied Processes."
This is the link to the AWS Page from which the most
up-to-date document can be downloaded:
Click for AWS Web Page With The
ANSI Z49.1 FREE Download
In addition to
this AWS document, read all of the safety information from the manufacturer
of the equipment and filler materials you are using such as Operating
Manual, Warning Labels and Materials Safety Data Sheets.
The following
statements in CAPITALIZED GREEN PRINT were abstracted from ANSI Z49.1 suggestions for
inclusion on Warning
Labels
for
carbon steel welding materials. Some manufacturers
labels may have additional information, read and understand it.
Additional information is provided in
Yellow Italic Print
below each Z49.1 statement to explain some of the
reasons for the warnings: |
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WARNING:
PROTECT
YOURSELF AND OTHERS. READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS INFORMATION.
If you have
questions ask your supplier or write / email the products manufacturer for answers.
FUMES AND
GASES CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH. USE ENOUGH VENTILATION, EXHAUST AT
THE ARC, OR BOTH, TO KEEP FUMES AND GASES FROM YOUR BREATHING ZONE AND THE
GENERAL AREA.
The
fumes (smoke)
coming from the welding arc contain
potentially hazardous chemical compounds. Be sure to keep your head out of
the
fume plum.
 Although
obvious, since the smoke is visible and doesn’t smell or taste good, be sure
to position your head so the fumes are moving away from your welding helmet. in our fume measurement work in our filler metals and welding gases Laboratory, in the 1970's, we developed the pictogram on the right that some use to reinforce this important precaution that a welder can practice.
Much less obvious, is exposure to very low
level allowable chemicals such Manganese
(as mentioned above) as well
as Chrome an Nickel, particularly when welding stainless steel. Actual
exposure levels must be measured over a normal work day.
Also less
obvious is when welding in a a garage floor repair pit, the MIG
shielding gas your using is heavier than air and will sink to the pit bottom and displace some of the air. This can also occur when
welding in a confined area such as inside a car under construction. Be sure to provide
ventilation to assure you're not asphyxiated. You could die! (SEE
HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE BELOW)
Much more information on
ventilation and when welding special materials is available in the Z49.1
publication such as not welding on cadmium plated parts (those pretty gold
colored parts often used in older automotive bolts, etc.) or on painted
or solvent cleaned surfaces.
 ARC
RAYS CAN INJURE EYES AND BURN SKIN.
This is an area often see violated on TV.
The Ultraviolet Light coming from the arc is like looking at the Sun. DON’T
DO IT! Often some folks
are seen turning their head away from directly looking at the arc; however the Arc
Rays are getting to the side of their eye which will still cause eye injury.
TV folks may be seen welding with short
sleeves, open shirts or no gloves. That may look “cool” for TV but Arc
Rays can burn unprotected skin. Similar serious
problems can occur as overexposure to the sun . COVER
UP!
 ELECTRIC
SHOCK CAN KILL.
MIG
welding wire on a spool is electrically “”hot” and is exposed on some
welding machines. The MIG torch tip and other torch parts are also electrically
“hot,” as are TIG torch parts and Stick holders. Depending on the specific welding machine being used, the voltage can
be quite high. TIG and Stick welders often have voltages of 70 and
above and can deliver much more current than required to cause
electrocution!
 WEAR
CORRECT EYE, EAR, AND BODY PROTECTION.
If you need
glasses to correct vision be sure to use them or a magnifying lens for your
welding helmet. This helps make you see clearly while your
head is held away from the arc zone avoiding the fume plum. Also, use safety
glasses with side shields and see that those around you are also wearing them. You only have
two eyes, DON’T RISK THEM. Be sure to wear clothing that prevents sparks
from hitting your skin.
Note, about
1/3 of the lost time accidents attributed to eye injuries are caused by
rubbing! Even if you wear eye protection, when your cleaning up
remember metal shavings may be ground into fingers, collected in
eyebrows or are resting on the skin as you inadvertently rub your eyes or
wipe perspiration from your face!
 FIRE HAZARDS.
Determine what combustible materials are present in the work location. Relocate them 35 feet from the welding area where possible. If not possible then use a fire resistant welding blanket to protect them from welding spatter etc. A fire extinguisher should be readily available and after welding watch for enough time to be sure any possible material that may have been exposed to welding sparks is not smoldering.
 BEFORE
USING A WELDER, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS AND ASK
FOR THE THEIR SAFERTY DATA SHEET (SDS) AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM THE MANUFACTURER, FORMERLY CALLLED MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) FOR THEIR WELDING
MATERIALS.
Companies that distribute welding materials
can give you the MSDS having specific information related to the possible
harmful products that may evolve from the welding wire or welding flux you
are using.
Just ask. Manufacturers of the materials can also supply you with he
appropriate MSDS. These are free for the asking, take advantage of the information.
IF WELDING WHILE
AT WORK, ASK FOR YOUR EMPLOYERS SAFETY PRACTICES.
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Warning:
Shielding Gas Can
Cause Suffocation
Without Warning
Hypothetical Example of
Shielding Gas Leaking in Garage Repair Pit
Scenario:
 |
Your welding a
custom exhaust system on a race car being built |
| You leave a
MIG welder in the repair pit while you go to lunch. |
| The welding machine gas solenoid,
gas control valve in the torch or gas hose fitting leaks
the Argon/CO2 shielding gas at a hard to detect low
flow rate of 15 CFH . (Note:
some portable MIG welders
and Spoolguns use a mechanical gas control
torch
valve . The valve can leak gas
even when closed. You should always
shut off the gas at the cylinder when not welding.) |
| The pit is 5
feet deep, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long with an air volume of 160 CF.
|
| FACT: there
is 21% Oxygen in Normal Air. At less than 18% Oxygen you can become
dizzy and unconscious without warning signs. |
| The 160 CF pit
normally has160 CF X 21% or 34 CF of
Oxygen. |
| However after
you return to the pit 2 hours later the pit will contain 160 CF of air less 15 CFH x 2 hr or 30 CF of
the shielding gas. Therefore the amount of Oxygen will be 0.21 X
130 CF of air = 27 CF of Oxygen or 27/160 = 17% Oxygen; much less than
the recommended minimum of19.5%! (This assumes
that all the leaked shielding gas has mixed with the air in the pit.
However since the shielding gas is heavier than air it sank to the bottom of the pit and in
only 2 hours may have not had time to
fully mix or diffuse out of the bottom.) |
| You bend down
to thread in a new spool of wire and are probably exposed to even a lower
concentration than 17% Oxygen in the shielding gas rich atmosphere at the
pit bottom! No one knows you're there; you pass out and die!! |
Although the above example is hypothetical, an Internet search found these
welders who where asphyxiated with welding shielding gas:
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In March 2007 three
workers died
in Quebec. The situation is
similar to our hypothetical example so we'll provide details.
Two welders had worked in a tank and left for the day leaving the tank
open. They died
the next day when they returned since there was argon leaking in the tank
over night. Even though the tank was left open, only 10 per cent oxygen
was found to be in the tank. A first responder also died trying to help
the two welders! |
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In March 2005, Robert
Wilson died while welding a super duplex stainless tank in Moray,
Scotland. |
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In April 1994, a welder
died while welding pipe in Alaska. |
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In March 1989, a welder
died while welding in a titanium tank in British Columbia. |
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In April 1981 a welder,
Jose Duncan, died in a shipyard in Mississippi. |
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Other deaths have occurred
which may not be documented on the Internet such as one in a Virginia shipyard in the
1980's. |
While not involved in
a welding incident, in May 2008 three workers unloading a ship died
of Argon Asphyxiation in Fort Lauderdale FL. One passed out in a
confined area and two others trying to help their fellow worker went in
after him. A liquid Argon container was found to be the culprit.
Remember liquid Argon containers vent to maintain the liquid temperatures as
pressure builds in the container. They must be stored where there is
adequate ventilation. Even Argon Cylinders can leak, especially
in the valve area. Always store these containers where there is adequate ventilation an
carefully follow other storage rules. Consult your gas supplier.
ANSI Z49.1 publication has information and references on this subject.
As noted above, this publication is available as a free download from
the American Welding Society.
Carbon Dioxide Shielding
Gas
Carbon Dioxide is even heavier than Argon; 52% heavier than air versus Argon
which is 38% heavier. Therefore it will sink to a low level before
mixing by mechanical means or diffusion.
In addition, CO2
has the following effects on the human body:
Bottom Line:
Always check all shielding gas lines and fittings for leaks. Shut the gas supply
off at the cylinder whenever you stop welding. Be sure all areas where
welding is occurring have
adequate ventilation.
Be especially vigilant in confined areas. Always have a friend
watching when you enter and work a confined area. Follow all safety
regulations of an employer. Read ANSI Z49.1 "Safety in Welding and
Cutting and Allied Processes" for further information. Ask your welding gas supplier for gases
safety information.
Also remember there may be other potentially hazardous elements in the
welding fume that may exceed allowable safe levels if you are welding in an
area without adequate ventilation.
Another Very Hazardous Gas Stacey David, the
host of GEARZ TV Car Show discussed another gas that can be very dangerous
even in very small quantities. Phosgene! He showed a spray can
of a commonly used Brake Parts Cleaner (same one I have on a garage shelf!) and
indicated it contained
Tetrachlorethylene. As he said, "In the presence of an arc it forms
this WW I
Poison Gas!" Here is what OSHA says;
"Phosgene is formed by decomposition of chlorinated
hydrocarbon solvents by ultraviolet radiation (like the arc radiation
we get when
weldin.) It reacts with moisture in the lungs to
produce hydrogen chloride, which in turn destroys lung tissue. For this
reason, any use of chlorinated solvents should be well away from welding
operations or any operation in which ultraviolet radiation or intense heat
is generated."
DON'T
WELD ON PARTS WITH CHLORINATED HYDROCARBON SOLVENT RESIDUAL OR WELD NEAR
WHERE THEY ARE BEING USED!
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Wearing a quality respirator to filter welding fumes,
especially under a welding helmet, is uncomfortable
(these are
not simple dust masks but more like that used when painting a car.)
In addition, a respirator just adds to the heat that may already be
objectionable when welding.
Our patented
helmet design, granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office on December 25, 2012 (US 8,336,113)
not only filters the air to an acceptable level, it cools the air using a
thermoelectric cooling module. By cooling the head, research shows that
sweat on the arms and other parts of the body reduces. Thermoelectric
devices are used in solid-state refrigerators, for cooling electronics etc.
In fact, some NASCAR drivers use a similar device to avoid excess heat!
Our patent defines an innovative method to reduce the electrical power requirements by 50% or more. This helmet can increase a welders desire to wear it, by improving their
general environment! 
Excessive heat is a common complaint of
welders. This helmet helps solve the excess heat problem by
providing cooled, clean, breathable air. Note patent covers a number of configurations including typical welding PAPR construction and possible use of a backpack arrangement.
We are searching for a company to
license these designs, including large fabricators employing a number of
welders who would benefit from the reduced heat and better environment.
Contact Jerry_Uttrachi@NetWelding.com if interested.
Of interest, some NASCAR teams are currently using a thermoelectric device to cool hot drivers! Their light weight compact device does not even use our patented idea that reduces power requirements by 50% or more.
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