Protect your workers with Element's comprehensive welding fume exposure monitoring services. Ensure COSHH compliance and minimize potentially carcinogenic health risks with our state-of-the-art welding fume monitoring equipment and expert analysis.

 

What is Welding Fume Exposure Monitoring and Why do you need it?

Welding fume exposure monitoring is a critical occupational hygiene service that measures and assesses workers' exposure to hazardous airborne substances produced during welding processes. 

The UK HSE will no longer accept any welding undertaken without suitable monitoring and control measures in place, as there is no known level of safe exposure. All businesses undertaking welding activities should ensure workers are protected from the inhalation risk of welding fumes by providing effective engineering controls for risk mitigation.

For example, Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) when provided and correctly applied, will control fumes and gases arising from welding activities. Where engineering controls are not sufficient to control all fume exposure, adequate and suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is also required to manage risk from the residual fume, including welding outdoors. You should ensure welders are suitably instructed and trained in the use of these controls.

Element’s Welding Fume Exposure Monitoring can help define the most suitable controls for you. Using specialized equipment, our experts collect air samples, analyze fume composition and concentration, evaluate potential health risks, and recommend appropriate control measures to protect your workforce.

 

Benefits of Welding Fume Exposure Monitoring with Element

  • Cost-Effective Improvements: Identify and address potential health hazards before they impact your workers' well-being. Implement targeted control measures based on our findings, optimizing your safety investments.
  • Expert Analysis: Element has one of the largest Occupational Hygiene teams in the UK and Europe. We provide a practical approach to deliver accurate data and trustworthy advice for implementing appropriate controls to protect your workforce.
  • Compliance Assurance: Element's welding fume exposure monitoring services are crucial for ensuring full compliance with COSHH Regulations and HSE guidelines.
  • UKAS Accreditation: We are committed to providing reliable results. All sample analytical work is undertaken at UKAS-accredited analytical laboratories that actively participate in the AIR PT scheme.
  • Holistic Approach: Benefit from Element's ability to provide additional services like LEV testing and face fit testing for a complete safety solution.
  • Cutting-Edge Equipment: Our state-of-the-art welding fume monitoring equipment provides precise measurements and reliable data.

Prevent Health Risks Associated with Welding Fume Exposure

Welding fumes pose significant health risks to workers, with potential short-term and long-term consequences. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified all welding fumes as Group 1 carcinogenic to humans, highlighting the critical need for effective monitoring and control.

Our welding fume exposure monitoring services help identify and quantify these risks, allowing you to implement targeted control measures. By understanding the specific hazards in your workplace, you can take proactive steps to protect your workers from respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, neurological effects, and other health concerns associated with welding fume exposure.

 

Ensure Compliance with Expert Welding Fume Monitoring 

Staying compliant with regulatory standards is crucial for protecting your workers and avoiding potential legal issues. The Health & Safety Executive's EH40 document outlines Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for various welding fume components, including aluminum, chromium, iron, manganese, and nickel.

Our expert team uses advanced welding fume monitoring equipment to measure and compare exposure levels against these limits. We provide detailed analysis and recommendations to help you understand your current compliance status, identify areas requiring immediate attention, and develop strategies to reduce exposure levels.

Remember, the UK HSE now emphasizes that there is no known safe level of exposure to welding fumes. This means that appropriate control measures must be in place for all welding activities, regardless of duration or location.

 

Our Welding Fume Exposure Monitoring Services

Our experienced team of qualified occupational hygienists can assist in:

 

Why Choose Element?

Element has one of the largest Occupational Hygiene teams in the UK and Europe, comprising a range of technically competent and qualified staff. At Element, we understand that every welding environment is unique. Our practical, solutions-led approach considers your specific needs and challenges, resulting in customized recommendations for optimal safety.

We leverage state-of-the-art welding fume monitoring equipment and advanced analytical techniques to deliver the most accurate data possible. This ensures a clear picture of your workplace environment and empowers you to make informed decisions regarding safety measures.

All our sample analytical work is undertaken at UKAS-accredited analytical laboratories that participate in the AIR PT scheme. We can also thoroughly examine and test LEV systems following the HSG258 and carry out risk assessments to determine if all engineering controls are used correctly.

For more information on our welding fume exposure monitoring services and how we can help protect your workforce, visit our About Us page or contact us today.

  • HSG173 Monitoring strategies for toxic substances
  • BS EN ISO  10882 ‘Health & Safety in Welding and Allied Processes - Sampling of Airborne Particles and Gases in the Operator’s Breathing Zone’

Research by the IARC indicates that exposure to all types of welding fumes, including fume from mild steel welding can cause several health conditions including lung cancer, kidney cancer, COPD, asthma, metal fume fever, siderosis, stomach ulcers, renal damage, and neurological effects similar to Parkinson’s disease (Manganism).

All welding fume from all types of metal should be treated as capable of causing cancer, and the IARC has reclassified all welding fume, including fume from mild steel welding, as Group 1 carcinogenic to humans.

The Health & Safety Executive document EH40 contains a list of Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) for use with COSHH. 

Substance WEL
Aluminum 10 mg/m3
Chromium 0.5 mg/m3
Iron

5 mg/m3

0.05 mg/m3

Manganese

- Inhalable Fraction

- Respirable Fraction

0.2 mg/m3

0.05 mg/m3
Titanium 10 mg/m3
Nitrogen Oxide 2.5 mg/m3
Nitrogen Dioxide

0.955 mg/m3

1.91 mg/m3STEL

Copper 0.2 mg/m3
Nickel 0.1 mg/m3
Ozone
0.4 mg/m3STEL
Chromium VI
(process generated)
0.025 mg/m3

 

The WELs above are based on an average 8-Hour Time Weighted Average (TWA) of exposure. Some substances have Short Term Exposure Limits (STEL) where concentrations must not exceed the limit over 15 minutes.

Welding Fumes Safety Legislation Guide

Everything you need to know about welding fume safety. Understand how to reduce the risk of hazardous substance exposure & protect your employees.

READ MORE

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