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Welding and Cutting Hazards
Welding and cutting operations present a variety of hazards, not only to those carrying out the operation but in many instances to others in the vicinity.
In the workshop there are a number of hazards specific to welding or cutting. In addition, there may be other hazards of a more general nature present in the fabrication environment.
All potential hazards need to be identified, measured (where appropriate) and assessed. Remedial measures must be put in place wherever necessary.
Although Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should not be issued as the primary method of reducing a hazard, it should be issued to all personnel if beneficial.
Employers and employees should be made fully aware of the dangers that can arise and take all reasonable care to ensure the health and safety of all.
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Burn injury is a hazard faced by welders every working day; after all they are using a process that involves molten metal and high temperature welding arcs. Read more about burns
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Chromium is an element present in the consumables and parent material of stainless steels, heat-resisting steels, some creep-resisting steels, some high nickel alloys, and armour plate. Read more about chromium in fume
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Many of the everyday hazards encountered in welding can be exacerbated if the work is being carried out in a confined space. A significant number of deaths occur each year involving people working in confined spaces. Read more about confined spaces
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Electrical hazards can prove to be the most serious risks encountered by welders. Touching 'live' electrical components, including the electrode and the workpiece, can result in a burn injury or, more seriously, electric shock. Read more about electrical safety
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Eye injuries are among the most common of all injuries caused by welding and cutting. Damage can be due to non-ionising radiation, foreign bodies, fumes and gases. Read more about eye hazards
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Gaseous fume is invisible fume created by the welding and cutting process. It is often present in the workshop, but undetected. Read more about gaseous fume
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Working in an excessively hot environment can cause the body to overheat; this is called 'heat stress'. Read more about heat stress
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Electric arc welding and cutting processes produce three forms of radiation; ultra violet (UV), visible and infra red (IR). Arc welding therefore presents a greater hazard than fuel gas processes as these only produce visible and IR radiation. Read more about light and heat radiation
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Magnetic fields are produced by electrical equipment. In arc welding and cutting, the magnetic fields produced may have an effect on the human body. Read more about magnetic fields
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Welding fume is made up of particulate fume and pollutant gases. The content of the fume and its concentration will vary from one application to the next. Some common components of fume are far more toxic than others and so represent a much greater risk to health. Read more about measurement of fume
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Welding certain materials can give rise to fume containing freshly-formed metal oxide fume. If inhaled in sufficient concentration it can produce a reaction similar to a bout of flu. This is what is commonly known as 'metal fume fever'. Read more about metal fume fever
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Noise is, basically, unwanted sound and is arguably the most commonly experienced industrial hazard. Read more about noise hazards
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Ozone (O3) is a toxic gas and can have an extremely harmful effect on human health. It is also a powerful oxidising gas, a potent germicide, and is invisible to the human eye at normal concentrations. Read more about ozone hazard
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Particulate fume consists of dust and particles created by the welding and cutting process. It is often present in the workshop to some degree. Read more about particulate fume
