Protecting workers from dangerous levels of welding fumes and gases

Here are our top tips to ensure you and your colleagues are as safe as possible when it comes to welding in the workplace:

Get your head out of the clouds

• Plan welding sequences that will allow welders to work in a position where they are not directly breathing in the fume cloud

Ensure good ventilation

• Where possible, use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems [see article] for indoor welding activities. Be sure to keep exhaust ports away from other workers

Work upwind

• Staying upwind will help to avoid welding fumes when working in open or outdoor areas. However, keep in mind that this doesn’t guarantee safe ventilation and there is no known safe level of exposure to welding fume.

When LEV is not available, or you or your colleagues are unable to work outside, the safest way of working to avoid exposure to welding fumes is to use Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) - although this should be considered as a last resort.