Health Effects: Fumes
Q: What compounds are found in common welding fume?
A: The most common compounds in arc welding fume mild steel are iron, manganese and silicon although other compounds in the electrode or on the base metal may be in the welding fume.
Q: What types of electrode products are likely to have chromium or nickel in the welding fume?
A: Fumes from the use of stainless steel and hardfacing products contain chromium or nickel.
Q: What are the potential health effects that may result from long-term overexposure to chromium or nickel?
A: Asthma has been reported and some forms of these metals are known or suspected to cause lung cancer in processes other than welding. Therefore, it is recommended that precautions be taken to keep exposures as low as possible.
Q: What are the potential health effects that may result from sustained overexposure to manganese?
A: Manganese overexposure may affect the central nervous system, resulting in poor coordination, difficulty in speaking and tremor of arms or legs. This condition is considered irreversible.
Q: What are the long-term health effects associated with exposure to welding fume?
A: Check an LH70 MSDS sheet, including comments on siderosis and irritation of nose and throat.
Q: What are the potential health effects that may result from overexposure to zinc?
A: Overexposure to zinc may cause fume fever with symptoms similar to the common flu.
Q: What is a common source of zinc in welding fume?
A: Zinc in welding fume usually comes from welding on galvanized steel.
Warnings
Q: Where can you find safety instructions regarding welding products that you use?
A: Each welding power source and container of consumable product has a warning label which contains specific safety instructions regarding the arc welding product you have chosen to use.
Q: What information is contained on a material safety data sheet (MSDS)?
A: An MSDS contains additional information including a summary of the Hazardous Materials used to manufacture the product, a summary of Fire and Explosion Hazard Data, Health Hazard Data and Reactivity Data, and information on the precautions to observe for the Safe Handling and Use of the product.
Q: Where can you find the MSDS for the consumable product you are using?
A: Inside each Lincoln Electric consumable container. It can also be found on the Lincoln Electric website, on the AWS website and from your supervisor.
Q: Since fumes and gases can be dangerous to your health, what three steps should you take to protect yourself?
A: 1) Keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and general area 2) Keep your head out of the fumes 3) Use enough ventilation or exhaust at the arc, or both, to keep fumes and gases from your breathing zone and general area.
Q: What additional precautions should be followed for products that require special ventilation?
A: If special ventilation products are used indoors, use local exhaust. If special ventilation products are used outdoors, a respirator may be required.
Q: What types of products generally require special ventilation?
A: Hardfacing and stainless products.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Welding Line Foreman Job Opening
EEO/AA Employer. Qualified women & minorities encouraged to apply.
Welding Line Foreman to Supervise Daily Production of Steel Pipeline.
Starting wage for Welding Line Foreman is to be Negotiated.
PERDIUM will be offered. Some Housing will be available on a first come first serve basis. Also some trailer spots for campers with hookups will be available.
Mail Resumes to EARTHMOVERS, A Div. of Strata Corporation, 1225 S. Broadway, Minot, ND 58701 or email to brandon.fontes@stratacorporation.com . An application will then be sent to you via mail or email, in which you will fill out and send back, according to the above information.
Full-time, seasonal, permanent year round employment available pending work performance after project completion.
Welding Line Foreman to Supervise Daily Production of Steel Pipeline.
Starting wage for Welding Line Foreman is to be Negotiated.
PERDIUM will be offered. Some Housing will be available on a first come first serve basis. Also some trailer spots for campers with hookups will be available.
Mail Resumes to EARTHMOVERS, A Div. of Strata Corporation, 1225 S. Broadway, Minot, ND 58701 or email to brandon.fontes@stratacorporation.com . An application will then be sent to you via mail or email, in which you will fill out and send back, according to the above information.
Full-time, seasonal, permanent year round employment available pending work performance after project completion.
Minimizing Welding Fume Inhalation
The world of welding can be a dangerous line of work. From the garb typically worn by welders, such a statement might seem like a forgone conclusion. However, the stuff you can't see is just as harmful as the sparks flying off the metal.
During the welding process, toxic metal fumes are released into the air. While the composition of the fumes vary depending on the metals being welded, common contaminants emitted include nickel, chromium 6 and manganese. Nickel and chromium 6 are found in stainless steel and can cause asthma and cancer. Manganese is used to produce iron, steel and aluminum and has been found to cause Parkinson's Disease. Certain types of welding can also form harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride and ozone.
Until fairly recently, the effects of welding fume exposure in the workplace wasn't given much attention. The story finally garnered national notice a few years ago when thousands of welders filed lawsuits against welding manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors alleging welding fumes were responsible for causing numerous health ailments. Heightened interest on the subject has prompted ongoing research. It has also incited the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create federal welding ventilation standards.
While OHSA welding regulations limit the amount of gas and fume exposure allowed in the workplace, organizations such as the Center to Protect Workers' Rights (CPWR) contend the standards have become outdated and therefore are no longer effective.
In addition to OSHA standards, the CPWR recommends employers use low fume-producing welding rods. Standard welding rods can generate up to 90 percent of emitted fumes. Using stick welding over flex core welding will also help reduce fume production in the workplace.
Weld Fume Collectors
As much as 95 percent of the particles produced by welding fumes are so small they are able to evade the human body's filtering system and enter the lungs. Welding fume collectors help minimize the amount of unseen particles entering the body by removing fumes and gases immediately upon their entry into the atmosphere; preventing harmful contaminants from entering a welder's breathing zone. Some fume collectors are equipped with nanofiber filters, which are capable of trapping these submicron particles and prevent contaminants from entering back into the atmosphere.
Fume collection systems have traditionally been mounted on a wall or installed in a specific location, limiting the mobility of the welder in the process. However, some welding fume extractor manufacturers now offer mobile units that allow welders to wheel their units anywhere within the workplace.
Compared to other options, using a source capture fume extraction system is the best means of minimizing welding fume exposure in the workplace. For more information on welding fume removal, contact a fume collector manufacturer.
Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Minimizing-Welding-Fume-Inhalation-/1956394#ixzz1AYFxUHk9
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives
During the welding process, toxic metal fumes are released into the air. While the composition of the fumes vary depending on the metals being welded, common contaminants emitted include nickel, chromium 6 and manganese. Nickel and chromium 6 are found in stainless steel and can cause asthma and cancer. Manganese is used to produce iron, steel and aluminum and has been found to cause Parkinson's Disease. Certain types of welding can also form harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen fluoride and ozone.
Until fairly recently, the effects of welding fume exposure in the workplace wasn't given much attention. The story finally garnered national notice a few years ago when thousands of welders filed lawsuits against welding manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors alleging welding fumes were responsible for causing numerous health ailments. Heightened interest on the subject has prompted ongoing research. It has also incited the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to create federal welding ventilation standards.
While OHSA welding regulations limit the amount of gas and fume exposure allowed in the workplace, organizations such as the Center to Protect Workers' Rights (CPWR) contend the standards have become outdated and therefore are no longer effective.
In addition to OSHA standards, the CPWR recommends employers use low fume-producing welding rods. Standard welding rods can generate up to 90 percent of emitted fumes. Using stick welding over flex core welding will also help reduce fume production in the workplace.
Weld Fume Collectors
As much as 95 percent of the particles produced by welding fumes are so small they are able to evade the human body's filtering system and enter the lungs. Welding fume collectors help minimize the amount of unseen particles entering the body by removing fumes and gases immediately upon their entry into the atmosphere; preventing harmful contaminants from entering a welder's breathing zone. Some fume collectors are equipped with nanofiber filters, which are capable of trapping these submicron particles and prevent contaminants from entering back into the atmosphere.
Fume collection systems have traditionally been mounted on a wall or installed in a specific location, limiting the mobility of the welder in the process. However, some welding fume extractor manufacturers now offer mobile units that allow welders to wheel their units anywhere within the workplace.
Compared to other options, using a source capture fume extraction system is the best means of minimizing welding fume exposure in the workplace. For more information on welding fume removal, contact a fume collector manufacturer.
Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Minimizing-Welding-Fume-Inhalation-/1956394#ixzz1AYFxUHk9
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Welders Wanted-Job Opening
Track Welder
Seeking an experienced Welder with skills in electric and welding, cutting and brazing.
The SEPTA Track Welder must have thorough knowledge of the characteristics of metal along with possession of tools pertinent to the occupation. Successful candidate must also be certified Welder in accordance with requirements of ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), AWS (American Welding Society) or ABS (American Bureau of Ships).
Successful completion of written qualifications test along with possession of a valid driver's license and high school diploma or GED are also required for the Track Welder. Additionally, a CDL Class B permit will be required prior to hire but not needed to apply. .
Starting salary for a Welder in our City Division is $24.42/hour with an increase to $27.13/hour after 1 year. Salary rates in our Railroad Division are lower.
The Job Opening is in Philadelphia PA, click the link for more info
Friday, January 7, 2011
Buying A Band Saw Blade Welder
One of the most used pieces of equipment in any fabrication shop is the band saw. Every fabrication project usually begins with some band saw work. With so much use and so many different operators, blades get broken frequently. Replacing band saw blades can become expensive but a basic band saw blade welder can save time and money.
A broken blade can be repaired as long as there are no kinks and the teeth are still good. Repairs can be accomplished by silver-soldering, TIG welding, or resistance welding. Almost every commercial saw blade welder is a resistance welder. Types range from simple, manually operated units to programmable, full automatic welders.
Even with the automatic machines, the operator’s skill has an impact on the quality of the weld. With manual welding machines the care and skill of the operator is the key to a successful repair. Variations between machines as well as blade size and material all influence the welding process. A skilled operator knows how to adjust for blade size and material and how to control the annealing process to keep the blade flexible.
A properly welded saw blade will run on a properly used band saw until the teeth wear down. Blades break at the weld when the weld is less than perfect. Perfect welds demand proper machine setup – weld current and time… Etc; proper preparation; proper annealing; and proper grinding (if required). If an operator is new to the welding process it will pay to spend some time with scrap blade pieces to learn how to do it correctly.
One of the advantages of having a blade welder available is bulk blade material. Blade material in bulk offers considerable cost savings over pre-assembled blades. A new blade can be welded up in a few minutes from the bulk material. If a particular band saw uses a non-standard or hard to find length of blade bulk buying makes sense. Also, it is possible to adjust the length of an off-the-shelf blade to fit the oddball band saw.
The other methods of saw blade repair (soldering or TIG welding) require advanced skills that may not be available and take time to learn. A welding machine is relatively inexpensive and proper procedures can be learned quickly. There are two important points in learning to use any welder: read the manual first and take some time to practice before welding a blade for actual use.
The important things to consider when shopping for a band saw blade welder are the welding current, the power requirements and the width of blades the welder can handle. Some shops like to use bi-metal blades because they last longer than other materials. A few saw blade welder manufacturers do not support bi-metal blades so finding a welder may require an extra effort.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Welding Mask and Welding Clothing
If you are working in a welding group, then you must go for some safety prescription to protect yourself. This article not only meant for safety guide for welders while welding, but also for welders while moving and doing other activities. Read this topic very carefully as it is going to help in a great way. Safety clothing, like rain suits and jackets, coveralls are most comfortable way to protect welders. Welding mask is used for many purposes and helps you from possible injuries, unwanted incidents, and other harms. Coveralls defend workers from harms acquired by chemical splashes, toxins, welding, etc. Welders' jackets look after workers from the splatters of welding substances that might cause injuries to skin while it gets exposed to welders.
There are many safeties welding clothing for welders such as blanket, apron, leather sprats, and sleeves. These safety welding clothing have one aim, which is to defend the employee from potential hazards that might cause major damage to skin. Raincoats must also be available while employees require these to work on heavy rains. Safety clothing must also be highly visible, reflective, fireproof, and waterproof. High-visibility safety welding clothing is essential for people on less visibility conditions, like those who are doing work on the road, in order that they will be visible. Employees exposed to toxins, dust, and chemicals require face masks and safety glasses to avoid infections and injure to eyesight.
For welders who lift and handle much heavier stuff, they are many chances to secondary harms due to slipping of the heavy objects for poor balance. To make a steady balance while you are moving with heavy equipments, it is suggested to wear steel toe boots. The Steel toe boots are prepared from metal toe-capped shoes which includes puncture-resistant soles. It helps you the welder to protect from possible hazards of slipping and falling. If you are wearing perfect welding mask then you are safe and it helps to keep your eye-site perfect. These are the basic instruction for all welders and you must follow these to keep your safe and secure.
There are many safeties welding clothing for welders such as blanket, apron, leather sprats, and sleeves. These safety welding clothing have one aim, which is to defend the employee from potential hazards that might cause major damage to skin. Raincoats must also be available while employees require these to work on heavy rains. Safety clothing must also be highly visible, reflective, fireproof, and waterproof. High-visibility safety welding clothing is essential for people on less visibility conditions, like those who are doing work on the road, in order that they will be visible. Employees exposed to toxins, dust, and chemicals require face masks and safety glasses to avoid infections and injure to eyesight.
For welders who lift and handle much heavier stuff, they are many chances to secondary harms due to slipping of the heavy objects for poor balance. To make a steady balance while you are moving with heavy equipments, it is suggested to wear steel toe boots. The Steel toe boots are prepared from metal toe-capped shoes which includes puncture-resistant soles. It helps you the welder to protect from possible hazards of slipping and falling. If you are wearing perfect welding mask then you are safe and it helps to keep your eye-site perfect. These are the basic instruction for all welders and you must follow these to keep your safe and secure.
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