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Posted By Gary Paul Teale
Hi
I am trying to gather some information on the above. Particle/fume respirators are widely quoted as suitable PPE for welding (after LEV and general ventilation is in place), FFP2/FFP3 depending on the consumables and metal being welded.
What about the gases produced from the process. Are these insignificant amounts because they don't seem to get a mention very often.
thanks
Gary
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Posted By Jane Blunt
The gases are varied, and you really need to specify the welding process. The fume also varies significantly between processes.
For instance, in oxyacetylene welding you can produce oxides of nitrogen and carbon monoxide.
In arc welding, depending on the process and the material being welded, you may get carbon dioxide (from flux), argon or other inert gases (in gas shielded processes), ozone (particularly with gas-shielded welding of aluminium and stainless steel).
Just as the types of gas produced vary from process to process, so do the amounts. In general, masks do nothing to reduce exposure to gases.
Only two of the above are likely to cause serious problems. In preheating of plate using a gas flame there have, on rare occasions, been fatal incidents arising from over-exposure to oxides of nitrogen. Ozone is also very harmful, but is normally only present in significant quantities in processes that produce very little fume (the ozone decomposes readily on the particles in fume, so exposure in processes that produce fume is likely to be very low).
Jane
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Posted By Peter MacDonald
Gary
Just went through a similar thing to this with my ground burners,using oxy/propane to burn lead paint covered steel plate and girders.
In the end I had back ground and personal monitoring carried out to establish type and levels of exposure to the various components of the fume. I then went to the Sundstom website and passed on the monitoring results to their technical department. They were quick to get back to me with Respirator and filter cartridge recommendations.
Regards
Peter
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Posted By Delwynne Just as an aside the welding institute have a really helpful 'H&S' FAQs section on their website which covers all sorts of topics like this. I've found it really useful. http://www.twi.co.uk
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