Hazards - Welding / Welders

Question 1

Welders’ respiratory illnesses

Answer 1

• bronchitis
• airway irritation
• lung function changes
• possible increase in lung Ca

Question 2

Welding fume TLV-TWA

Answer 2

5mg/m³

Question 3

Most dangerous occupation because

Answer 3

1. Lots of factors endangering health
   
   • heat
   • burns
   • radiation
   • noise
   • fumes
   • gases
   • electrocution
2. High variability in chemical composition of fumes
3. Routes of entry

Question 4

Adverse health effects associated with welding

Answer 4

1. Chemical hazards:
   
   1. Fumes
      
      1. aluminium
      2. cadmium
      3. chromium
      4. copper
      5. fluorides
      6. iron
      7. lead
      8. manganese
      9. magnesium
      10. molybdenum
      11. nickel
      12. zinc
      13. titanium
      14. silica
   2. Gases
      
      1. CO₂
      2. CO
      3. NO
      4. NO₂
      5. O₃
2. Physical
   
   1. Noise
   2. heat
   3. vibrations
3. Radiation
   
   1. UV
   2. Visible light
   3. Infrared

Question 5

Definition of fumes

Answer 5

“solid metal suspended in air formed when metal condenses into very small particles”

Question 6

Chromium fumes

Answer 6

• TLV-TWA 0.5mg/m³
• human carcinogen
• lung Ca

Question 7

Nickel fumes

Answer 7

• Human carcinogen
• Nasal / lung Ca

Question 8

Iron fumes

Answer 8

pneumoconisis =

specific in welders called siderosis

Question 9

Manganese fumes

Answer 9

• TLV-TWA 1mg/m³
• Cytotoxic
• Neurotoxic
  
  • Resemble Parkinson’s disease
  • Called manganism

Question 10

Metal Fume Fever

Answer 10

• Symptoms
  
  • 6 - 8 hours after inhalation
  • flu-like symptoms with sweating, metal taste in mouth, excessive thirst, high fever, nonproductive cough
  • resolution within 24 - 48 hours
• Related fumes:
  
  • Zinc
  • Aluminium
  • Copper