When it comes to welding, there are several common hazards. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 560,000 workers are injured yearly due to welding accidents. One type of welding accident that many are unaware of is welding fume exposure.
But what are welding fumes? OSHA classifies toxic and explosive fumes as welding fume hazards. Inhaling fumes from welding can harm your health, and long-term exposure can lead to serious health problems.
This is why monitoring your welding fume exposure and taking steps to protect yourself is essential. This guide will cover everything you need to know about welding fume exposure monitoring, including what welding fumes are, their hazards, and how to limit your exposure.
By the end, you’ll better understand how to keep yourself safe while welding.
What Are Welding Fumes?
Welding fumes are a mixture of small particles and gases released when metals are heated during the welding process. The type of fumes and their concentration level vary depending on the metals being welded and the welding process being used.
Typical constituents of welding fumes include metals from the electrode and base metal. There are also oxides of metals, fluorides, chlorides, and sulfates. Metallic vapors, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide are also welding fumes.
Hydrocarbons can be a byproduct of welding, which makes them an additional hazard. Those in the welding industry must know about this. These particles and gases can be harmful if inhaled, and long-term exposure has been linked to various health problems.
That’s why monitoring your exposure to welding fumes and taking steps to protect yourself is essential.
Welding Fume Hazards
The health hazards posed by welding fumes also depend on the type of metal being welded and the concentration of fumes in the air. It also matters the amount of time you’re exposed to these fumes.
The most common health problems welding fumes are nose, throat, and lung irritation. Some welders experience coughing and difficulty breathing.
More severe health issues include lung fluid (pneumonia), cancer, and fertility problems.
Short-term exposure to high concentrations of welding fumes can also cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, it can even lead to loss of consciousness.
How to Conduct Welding Fume Monitoring
It’s essential to monitor your exposure levels and protect yourself. There are several ways you can do this:
1. Use a Respirator: Wearing a respiratory mask or respirator is one of the best ways to protect yourself from welding fumes. Make sure you choose a respirator approved by NIOSH for use with welding fumes (you’ll see this designation on the packaging).
2. Ventilate the Area: Another way to protect yourself from welding fumes is to ventilate the area where you’re working. This can be done with a fan or by opening windows and doors.
3. Use a Local Exhaust Hood: If possible, position a local exhaust hood near your work area to capture as much of the smoke and particulate matter as possible before it has a chance to spread throughout the room.
4. Avoid Skin Contact: If you must handle materials exposed to welding fumes, wear gloves and long sleeves to avoid skin contact.
Besides these steps above, hiring a company that can perform air quality testing and Industrial Hygiene Assessments can significantly impact safety. Companies like Phase Associates have helped companies within the welding industry improve safety.
Ready to Improve Workplace Safety?
Reducing the amount of welding fume exposure your employees have should be a priority. Now that you know about welding fume hazards, you should begin conducting some welding fume monitoring.
Understanding the welding fumes exposure limits will ensure you comply with OSHA. If you are looking for ways to improve workplace safety in the welding industry, we can help.
Visit our website today to learn more about how Phase Associates can help you take the safety of your employees to the next level!
Phase Associates conducts welding fume monitoring services to NJ, NY, PA, DE, CT, MD, and VA
Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Program Outline
Millions of workers face exposure to hazardous chemicals regularly. Hazardous chemicals can cause severe injuries and illnesses. To combat this, OSHA created the Hazard Communication Standard.
This program focuses on employees’ “right to know” about these chemicals and how to reduce their hazards best.
Let’s look at “what are the parts of an OSHA hazard communication program?” and how it can protect your workers.
What Is the Hazard Communication Program?
There are workplaces where employees may be exposed to hazardous substances. A hazard communication program seeks to limit the damage from this. It makes sure that chemicals that are produced or imported are labeled.
If employees may be exposed to these chemicals, they must be aware. They must also receive training that will prevent injury. Also, if there is a new hazard in the workplace, employers must update this information and training.
Information and training through these programs help reduce injuries and illnesses. In addition, training can help workers identify hazards.
What Is the OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard HCS?
OSHA developed the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to protect all workers. This happens through a hazard communication program. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the answer to “what are the Hazard Communication Standard HCS requirements for employers?” to cover all possible impacts of chemicals in the workplace.
OSHA’s HCS, commonly called HazCom, regulates what information employers need to share. It also dictates who you need to tell and timelines for sharing.
Any workplace under OSHA’s jurisdiction and with hazardous chemicals onsite must create an HSC program. PHASE Associates can help you create a HazCom program while ensuring adequate training for your workers.
What Are the 5 Elements of Hazardous Communication Standard?
OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard includes five elements:
Chemical Inventory
Written Program
Material Safety Data Sheets
Labels
Training
Each company’s division should build an inventory as part of the chemical inventory element. This should include all hazardous chemicals that are present at their worksite. Through the written program, employers can then explain the present dangers.
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) must be available for each hazardous chemical. MSDSs explain important hazard information. Employees should always review these before using the chemicals.
Also, manufacturers must properly label all chemicals. These labels must include:
Products name
Any hazard warnings
Manufacturer’s name and address
A worker can transfer materials to a different container. However, they must label this new container. The new container’s label needs the product name and hazard warnings.
Training is a critical part of the Hazard Communication Standard. This helps ensure workers understand the hazards associated with workplace chemicals.
Implement OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard
You can protect your workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals they may encounter on the job. But first, create a Hazard Communication Standard program. Working with a partner like PHASE Associates can make this easier. They will ensure you meet all five elements and continue your schedule over the long term.
More than half of the homes in America have mold issues. Almost every environment, including YOUR home, has mold spores. But this only becomes an issue when there are more spores in your home than outside.
Unfortunately, the temperature in your home might be ideal for its growth. If you discover you have mold in your home, don’t panic. The NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) will agree that Phase Associates can efficiently help when it comes to mold removal.
But can mold be completely removed from a house? Does mold need to be removed professionally? And if so, how is mold professionally removed?
Read on to find out. You’ll learn all this, including the difference between mold removal and mold remediation.
Mold Removal Vs. Mold Remediation
It helps to know the differences in the mold services you need. For example, although often used interchangeably, mold removal and mold remediation aren’t the same.
Mold Removal
Mold removal is when you remove mold from an area in your home. If this sounds too simple, it’s really not.
Many unprofessional companies may offer this service. You may even think that cleaning or wiping the area yourself is enough. But hiring a professional mold removal company is vital for efficient mold removal services, however, if more extensive work needs to be done, this is where mold remediation comes in.
Mold Remediation
Mold remediation companies offer a more in-depth mold removal process. Mold remediation involves several steps:
Mold Containment
Cleaning and air filtration
Removal and disposal
Sanitization
A company providing remediation services will also assist with preventative measures. These should help to control any reoccurrence.
How Is Mold Professionally Removed?
With residential mold removal, each situation is unique. Several types of mold may need specialized treatment. You’ll also need to determine the reason for the growth.
Does your assessment show that water damage is the cause? You’ll need to have this repaired first.
The mold remediation company then isolates the area and suppresses any dust. Next, they will remove the contaminated items and safely dispose of them.
Finally, they will clean and dry the area and replace the items they removed with new materials. The entire process usually requires the use of heavy-duty professional equipment. The chances are that you or your regular handyman won’t have these.
Does Mold Need to Be Removed Professionally?
Mold remediation is a detailed process. However, it’s one of the many reasons that mold removal should be professionally done.
There may be instances when a DIY solution may work. However, when the cause of mold is due to water damage or involves sewage. It’s best to call a professional.
This is also important if there’s mold contamination in your HVAC system. In any of these situations, clean-up should be thorough, especially if you have health concerns.
Not sure where to find a professional? Of the many companies that provide mold testing, inspection and assessments, the NJ Department of Health (NJDOH) lists Phase Associates as a top alternative. They can ensure that your problem is handled safely and efficiently.
Can Mold Be Completely Removed From a House?
Mold is always in the environment, so it can’t be completely eliminated. But you can prevent its reoccurrence. It starts by controlling the temperature and moisture in your home.
Always do visual checks so that you can catch any problems before they become significant issues. It would be best if you also replaced your air filters regularly to ensure the air in your home is clean.
The Best Mold Testing, Inspection and Assessments NJ Has to Offer
Unfortunately, mold will always be a part of your life. This fact may not be comforting, especially if you have health issues. But there are things you can do to control its occurrence.
Having the answers to whether mold needs to be removed professionally, how mold is professionally removed, and whether mold can be completely removed from a house should put you at ease.
You can then call NJ’s best mold testing, inspection, and detailed assessment reporting company! Phase Associates has the expertise to deal with all mold problems. Contact us today to learn more about our complete mold services that will detail the proper removal or remediation plan.
For more information or questions regarding asbestos, call us at (973) 597-0750 or email us at [email protected].
Written By: Gary P. Schwartz, CIH, CSP, CMC January 16, 2020
EPA Issues Clarification on Asbestos Sampling in Newer Buildings
There is a common misconception in the environmental industry that buildings built after 1980 are not required to be inspected for asbestos. However, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Natural Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), the age of the building does not affect whether an inspection needs to be done prior to renovation or demolition.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos refers to two groups of minerals that are naturally occurring in rock and soil. Due to its fiber strength and heat-resistant characteristics, asbestos is used in a wide variety of building materials. Asbestos containing materials (ACM) include, but are not limited to, floor tiles, roofing shingles, insulation, and plasters.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they can easily become airborne. These fibers are then inhaled and can cause fatal diseases including, but not limited to, lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Requesting Clarification
In January 2016, a letter was sent to the EPA asking for clarification regarding what documentation would be needed to identify building materials as non-ACM. According to the author, the following documentation had been commonly relied on by building owners to waive the inspection requirement under NESHAP:
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for installed building products
Letters from each manufacturer certifying that their products do not contain ACM
Letters from each installer certifying that the installed products are not ACM
The EPA replied to that letter, stating that the owner/operator, prior to a renovation or demolition, must conduct a thorough inspection of either the whole facility or the portion of the facility that will be affected by the renovation or demolition operation, except for residential structures of four or fewer dwelling units, regardless of the date of its construction.
The Issue with Documentation
The EPA further stated that obtaining documentation from manufacturers and installers is not a guarantee that ACM is not present. There have been several instances where follow-up testing found ACM in buildings built after 1980. Furthermore, the EPA currently allows for asbestos to be used in various types of building materials.
The EPA also mentions that the owner/operator may use certain forms of acceptable documentation to certify materials as non-ACM in lieu of an inspection, depending on the circumstances. Applicable documentation would need to provide an explanation on how the asbestos content or lack thereof was determined. Polarizing Light Microscopy (PLM) is the only method of analysis for asbestos that complies with the regulation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are three ways to comply with EPA’s Asbestos NESHAP regulations: conduct asbestos sampling and analysis prior to any renovation or demolition, obtain certain forms of acceptable documentation certifying that building materials are not ACM, or simply assume building materials are ACM and follow the applicable regulations accordingly.
