Welding: Identifying Exposures and Controls

Description

Welding is nearly ubiquitous in industrial environments. This course describes the health/safety hazards associated with common welding and thermal cutting processes. Participants will become familiar with welding industry terminology. Materials, thermal processes, and scenarios associated with potential for overexposures are described. Emphasis is placed on Manganese and Hexavalent chromium exposures as well as many other health and safety hazards. Suggestions for improving the quality of monitoring data and prioritizing exposure assessments are provided. Ventilation techniques and respiratory protection options are also described. An Excel spreadsheet for tracking relevant data for developing welding SEGs is provided.

Prerequisites

General knowledge of ventilation principles.

Value Added

Each participant will receive an Excel spreadsheet for developing welding SEGs, along with a pdf copy of AIHA’s publication “Welding: An OEHS Field Guide Temporary Ventilation for Hotwork”.

Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Describe general health and safety hazards associated with welding and thermal cutting.
• Develop an exposure assessment strategy for welding and thermal cutting.
• Recognize and recommend effective ventilation for confined space welding and thermal cutting.
• Identify issues that need to be addressed during welding and thermal cutting in confined spaces.

Outline

• Introduction & Overview
• Welding / Cutting Processes and Associated Health Hazards
• Metals and Associated Health Hazards
• SEGs and Exposure Assessments
• Case Studies
• Controlling Exposures
• Process Selection
• Ventilation

Transfer of Knowledge

Instructors will evaluate participants understanding of the materials presented based on:

• Group activities

Course Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/16PDC102

Sponsoring Committee

Construction

Instructors

• Mike Harris, Hamlin&Harris;, Inc., Baton Rouge, LA