Respiratory protection for welders: is it effective enough?

There are not enough measures in place to protect welders from hazardous fumes at work, according to research from the University of Sydney.

Researchers from the Curtin School of Population Health and the University of Sydney said that at least 46,000 Australian welders are exposed to high levels of dangerous, potentially cancer-causing fumes.

They surveyed 634 workers and employers involved in welding in Australia and asked participants about work tasks, their working environment and safety measures implemented in their workplace.

What were the key findings?

Survey data suggested that the majority (91%) of welders are exposed to ‘welding fume’, a mixture of very fine particles and gases produced when a metal is heated above its boiling point. Welding fume is a known to be carcinogenic to humans.

According to the researchers, such exposure makes it highly likely that other carcinogenic metals are also present in the workplace. Most commonly, more than three-quarters of working environments involving welding are exposed to hexavalent chromium, a common contaminant that arises during welding, while almost half are exposed to stainless steel and nickel.

Study co-author Professor Tim Driscoll from the University of Sydney said the exposure risk was exacerbated by the conditions in which most welders worked. Two-thirds of respondents said they welded in restricted spaces, while nearly half said they worked in confined spaces. Most (86.3%) also reported leaning over the welding area while working, often putting their breathing zone directly above the fume source.

“Despite this, only 19% of study participants said their workplace had some form of mechanical ventilation, such as a welding booth or exhaust hoods,” Driscoll said.

What are the risks?

Study lead Dr Renee Carey from Curtin University — who was previously involved in a landmark study outlining the dangers of working with engineered stone — said this new research showed many welders in Australia could be at risk of developing serious health problems.

“Given that many Australian workplaces are apparently without effective ventilation, it is even more concerning that nearly two-thirds of workers in non-ventilated areas reported they do not use an air-supplied welding helmet,” she said.

“Data shows at least 60,000 people are employed as welders; however, the number of people who complete welding tasks as part of their job would be far higher.

“Welding fume exposure has been associated with various adverse health effects, including cancer, respiratory disease, neurological disorders and reproductive effects.”

Public Health Association Chief Executive Terry Slevin said the study revealed serious health risks which must be reduced.

“We have seen strong action to reduce the health problems linked to asbestos and silica; this is another example where Australia’s health and safety legislation must be put to work to protect our tens of thousands of welders,” Slevin said.

“This study demands every professional welder in Australia be supplied with upgraded protective equipment to make their work as safe as humanly possible.

“We have the technology — now we need to ensure it is mandatory to use it in our workplaces.”

Occupational exposure to welding fume in Australia: An online survey was published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

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