AWS Working Around Welders campaign

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The ‘Working Around Welders’ campaign from AWS addresses the risks of working near welding fumes. In early 2017, the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified welding fume as carcinogenic.

These risks apply not only to the welders themselves, but also to the non-welders who work in close proximity to them. As such, as it important for all workers and businesses to educate themselves on the dangers of welding fume, as well as the available protective options.

Welding fume participles can remain in the air for up to 48 hours; this is vital to remember when sharing a work environment with welders, as the air contains respiratory hazards long after welding has been completed.

There are many product control options for workers who are around those conducting direct welding. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including powered air purifying respirators (PAPR) are effective product control options to limit exposure to welding fume for non-welders.

For more information, download the Working Around Welders campaign.