Chemscape honored to contribute to the AIHA publication of Welding Health and Safety

Chemscape’s Mike Phibbs was invited to contribute to the 2nd Edition of the AIHA publication of Welding Health and Safety: A Field Guide for OEHS Professionals.

About the Welding Health and Safety Guide

This guide provides effective communication strategies for welding shop and plant personnel who have little actual “hands on” shop experience. Topics include:

• Health and safety considerations
• Welding terminology
• Equipment
• Welding and cutting in confined spaces
• Construction, maintenance and repair welding,
• Plus the health effects of metals, gases, and other agents commonly encountered in welding processes.  

Often there is a disconnect in communication between Health and Safety Professionals and people working in technical fields. The more HSE professionals can know about the hazards of their work, the more effective they can be.

The guide offers details into the process of welding so HSE Professionals can anticipate, recognize, evaluate, and control the hazards associated with welding. Frequently, the focus is mainly on the safety of these processes and worker health is often overlooked.  

Appreciation for the health hazards of welding is increasing

Evidence of this includes:

• In 2003, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) withdrew the Threshold Limit Value (TLV-TWA®) for welding fumes.  
• In 2006, the Hexavalent Chromium Standard was developed based on the carcinogenic effects of chromium and the likelihood of overexposures when performing welding or thermal cutting operations on chromium-containing metals.
• In 2018, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) published Monograph 118: Welding, Molybdenum Trioxide, and Indium Tin Oxide, classifying welding fume as a Group 1 Carcinogen.  

Given the absence of an OEL for welding fume, exposure control banding can be a reasonable approach to controlling welding fume exposures. Mike Phibbs, CIH, ROH of Chemscape, provided a discussion on the application of exposure control banding to welding fumes as a carcinogen. Tables are also provided to offer clear examples of how to apply exposure control banding to welding fume.  

Are you looking to elevate the health standards of your organization? Contact the experts at Chemscape Safety Technologies today to learn more about our chemical management and SDS management solutions.

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