HSE restrictions on hazardous welding fume welcomed

The alert, which has reclassified the status of all welding fume as a Group 1 carcinogen – cancer-causing to humans – is for all working people and employers who undertake welding activities, including mild steel. It follows new scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer linking exposure to lung cancer and potentially kidney cancer[1]. As such, the HSE will be enforcing tighter controls around exposure to welding fume, with immediate effect.   

Simon Hodge, Consultancy Group Manager at Bureau Veritas, comments: “Following this reclassification there is no known level of safe exposure to welding fume and businesses can expect greater scrutiny regarding the effectiveness of engineering controls. As of now, current control methods such as general ventilation, will not be deemed acceptable. It also means that where controls are not adequate or not present – for example outside – that appropriate and effective respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is provided and used. This will include training for workers to ensure compliance. 

“The HSE will also expect organisations to have up-to-date and adequate risk assessments in place which reflect the increased risk posed by this update. All employers are therefore advised to review their COSHH risk assessments for welding activities and revise where necessary their control measures to protect those undertaking welding activities. This may include introducing workplace exposure monitoring to properly assess the risk. Non-compliance will not only pose a significant safety hazard to workers but will mean that businesses leave themselves open for severe repercussions from the HSE.”

Welding activities can generate various hazardous components including particles, gases and ultraviolet (UV) radiation; all of which present health risks. As well as welding fume being recognised as cancer-causing, other health effects of exposure have long been known to include metal fume fever, serious lung conditions and neurological effects linked to manganese, a chemical present in mild steel welding fume.