Welding smoke and cutting dust - The most important things first:

• During welding, cutting and allied processes such as thermal spraying or soldering, fumes, gases and particles are released. These emissions are classified as hazardous substances.
• These particles can be inhaled, in most cases they may even reach the alveoli and, depending on the chemical composition, can cause severe respiratory diseases and even cancer.
• The emissions also contain a very high number of nanoparticles that can penetrate into human cells and there they may have an as yet unresearched toxicological effect.
• Primarily for reasons of occupational safety, but also for those of environmental protection, measures for air pollution control are required. In this case, the extraction of the emissions at the source represents the best possible protection.

The most important regulations:

Determining working conditions

• End-user’s obligation to take protective measures, to check them regularly and document them. No work to be started without protection measures.

Particulate hazardous substances

• Complete capture at source, air recirculation only after adequate cleaning.
• Extraction and filter systems must include state of the art technology and are to be checked at least annually for correct functioning and effectiveness.
   

Selection of protection measures to reduce exposure to hazardous substances for employees:
Selection

1. of processes and filler metals low in hazardous substances- substitution
2. Ventilation measures - capturing emissions
3. Organizational and hygiene measures - avoiding contact, inhalation
4. Personal protection - wearing breathing protection

>> to 2. Hazard Assessment
>> to 3. Measures of fume extraction
>> to 4. Effectiveness check