Safety Alert
Change in Enforcement Expectations for Mild Steel Welding Fume
Change in Enforcement Expectations for Mild Steel Welding Fume
- HSE
- Safety Alert
- STSU1-2019
- Hazardous SubstancesOccupational HealthRegulation and Legislation
- Hazardous substancesOccupational healthRegulation and legislationRespiratory hazards
- Hot work
- Respirator
- Competence and trainingPreventive maintenanceRisk assessmentVentilation
Summary
HSE strengthens enforcement expectations following evidence that mild steel welding fume can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer. The alert requires suitable exposure controls regardless of welding duration, addressing local exhaust ventilation indoors, respiratory protection for residual fume and outdoor welding, training, maintenance and revised risk assessments.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Occupational health; worker health.
Classifications: Regulation and legislation; safety legislation; regulatory requirements.
Classifications: Respiratory hazards; respirable dust; inhalation hazards.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Respirator; respiratory protective equipment; RPE.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
STSU1-2019. Themes: hazardous substances, occupational health, regulation and legislation.