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Welding with additives containing manganese promotes the occurrence of symptoms that are similar to those of Parkinson's disease. The higher the manganese content in the welding fumes, the more marked are the symptoms that arise. These are the findings of a recent study.

Greater awareness about the dangers of welding fumes is needed. Occupational safety is often still poor despite the high risk potential. In this interview, the trained welder Tim Formell describes his experiences as a welder - surely not the general rule, but still a terrible example on how companies gamble with the health of their employees.

Welding fumes are not the greatest risk from resistance welding. Magnetic currents created by the welding process pose a far greater threat to the health of employees.  Use of suction and filtering technology is therefore advisable, at least with a ventilation system. Welding oiled panels causes greater amounts of smoke.

Effective occupational safety in metalworking companies does not only make the welder’s work safer but improves the safety of every employee in the workshop. Radiation, noise and welding splatter also endanger bystanders around the workstation. Modern screening systems zone the welding workstations, protect against radiation reflections and are used as sight protection.

When considering extraction and filter technology, manufacturers do not only have to think about the protection of their employees against welding fumes or dust during welding, grinding or cutting.  Efficient operation is important for welding workshops when it comes to the plants in addition to consideration on how hazardous substances are captured and discharged. Automatic suction performance regulation also saves energy.

It is deemed a “clean” welding process creating only little welding fumes and is therefore often underestimated: WIG welding. The process harbors health risks which should not be underestimated. Welders are exposed to nitrogen oxides, radioactivity and ozone in particular. For this reason, appropriate health and safety measures for prevention are necessary.

Less welding fumes and yet dangerous to the welder's health: Opposite to the other metal active welding process, i.e. MAG welding, metal inert gas welding (MIG) has less emissions but causes other high risk hazardous substances. Especially, the exposure to gas requires effective work safety.

Particles in the air at the workplace are amongst the complex hazards for employees' health. This has been shown by a new analysis of the Public German Federal Institute. According to the study, around 6,000 cases of dust related respiratory illnesses are recognized as an occupational disease every year. They are caused by exposure to gases, vapours or hazardous substances such as welding fumes.