Hazard Assessment

Due to the classification of welding fumes as a hazardous substance, a risk assessment must be carried out. This is done in 5 easy steps: 

1. Composition of welding fumes affected by:

• Base material
• Coatings
• Filler metal and
• Process gases.

2. Determining the health hazards of welding smoke constituents:

• Substances that place strain on respiratory tract and lungs (eg: iron oxides, aluminium oxide)
• Toxic or toxic-irritating substances (eg:  manganese oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide)
• carcinogenic substances (eg:  chromium (VI) compounds, nickel oxide)

3. Determining the hazard class depending on the procedure. 

4. Determining working conditions

• Spatial conditions
• Head and body position in overhead position
• Welding time

5. The overall risk assessment is based on the hazard class (step 3) and working conditions (step 4):

• The hazard may be increased, for example, if welding time is long and/or welding is carried out in an overhead position
• On the other hand, with short welding times, or welding work outdoors, the hazard may be reduced.

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