Good industrial hygiene practice requires that engineering controls be used where feasible to reduce workplace concentrations of hazardous materials to the prescribed exposure limit. However, some situations may require the use of respirators to control exposure. Respirators must be worn if the ambient concentration of welding fumes exceeds prescribed exposure limits. Respirators may be used (1) before engineering controls have been installed, (2) during work operations such as maintenance or repair activities that involve unknown exposures, (3) during operations that require entry into tanks or closed vessels, and (4) during emergencies. Workers should only use respirators that have been approved by NIOSH and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
* Respiratory protection program
Employers should institute a complete respiratory protection program that, at a minimum, complies with the requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard [29 CFR 1910.134]. Such a program must include respirator selection, an evaluation of the worker's ability to perform the work while wearing a respirator, the regular training of personnel, respirator fit testing, periodic workplace monitoring, and regular respirator maintenance, inspection, and cleaning. The implementation of an adequate respiratory protection program (including selection of the correct respirator) requires that a knowledgeable person be in charge of the program and that the program be evaluated regularly. For additional information on the selection and use of respirators and on the medical screening of respirator users, consult the latest edition of the NIOSH Respirator Decision Logic [NIOSH 1987b] and the NIOSH Guide to Industrial Respiratory Protection [NIOSH 1987a].
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Workers should use appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment that must be carefully selected, used, and maintained to be effective in preventing skin contact with welding fumes. The selection of the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (e.g., gloves, sleeves, encapsulating suits) should be based on the extent of the worker's potential exposure to welding fumes. There are no published reports on the resistance of various materials to permeation by welding fumes.
To evaluate the use of PPE materials with welding fumes, users should consult the best available performance data and manufacturers' recommendations. Significant differences have been demonstrated in the chemical resistance of generically similar PPE materials (e.g., butyl) produced by different manufacturers. In addition, the chemical resistance of a mixture may be significantly different from that of any of its neat components.
Any chemical-resistant clothing that is used should be periodically evaluated to determine its effectiveness in preventing dermal contact. Safety showers and eye wash stations should be located close to operations that involve welding fumes.
Splash-proof chemical safety goggles or face shields (20 to 30 cm long, minimum) should be worn during any operation in which a solvent, caustic, or other toxic substance may be splashed into the eyes.
In addition to the possible need for wearing protective outer apparel (e.g., aprons, encapsulating suits), workers should wear work uniforms, coveralls, or similar full-body coverings that are laundered each day. Employers should provide lockers or other closed areas to store work and street clothing separately. Employers should collect work clothing at the end of each work shift and provide for its laundering. Laundry personnel should be informed about the potential hazards of handling contaminated clothing and instructed about measures to minimize their health risk.
Protective clothing should be kept free of oil and grease and should be inspected and maintained regularly to preserve its effectiveness.
Protective clothing may interfere with the body's heat dissipation, especially during hot weather or during work in hot or poorly ventilated work environments. Ventilation and cooling devices should be provided.
Welding rod fumes contain manganese a deadly neurotoxin that inhibits the brain’s ability to regulate physical motion. Men and women exposed to these manganese fumes develop Parkinsonian symptoms at the age of 46 as opposed to 66 and suffer for the rest of their life. Manganism is an induced form of Parkinson’s Disease. If you or a loved one has been injured due to welding rod fumes then please fill out the form below and obtain the representation that you deserve.
Free Welder's Safety Consultation
Personal Information:
Date of Birth / Age:
(ex. mm/dd/yyyy or 54)
Are you inquiring for yourself?
Yes No
If not, who are you
inquiring on behalf of?
If you are NOT inquiring on your own behalf,
what is your relationship to the injured person?
Is the person deceased?
Yes No
If deceased, what is the cause of death
as stated on the death certificate:
Date of Death:
(ex. mm/dd/yyyy)
Was an autopsy performed?
Yes No
If not deceased, does the
injury prevent you or the
victim from working?
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If yes, when did you/victim stop working?
What is the approximate lost wages
due to the injury?
Symptom Information:
How long were you a welder for? years
What were the
dates of exposure?*
Begin:
End:
City where you worked:
*
State where you worked:
*
What types of welding have you done before?
(Ex. MIG, TIG, Steel, Alloy, Other)
What BRANDS and TYPES of welding rods do you remember using?
Have you experienced any of the following symptoms?
Please check all that apply:
Tremors in any extremity?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Rigidity in hands, arms,
legs, or upper body?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Gait (Walking) Disturbances?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Facial Effects?
Yes No
If yes, please explain:
Speech Disorders?
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If yes, please explain:
Sexual Dysfunction?
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If yes, please explain:
Other Symptoms?
Yes No
If you have any medical problems that you feel
may be related, please explain:
Have you ever had an
MRI of the brain?
Yes No
Have you ever received medical
care for any of your symptoms?
Yes No
Have you been diagnosed with any of the following conditions?
Manganism
Manganese Toxicity
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinsons-Like Syndrome
Parkinsonism
Other Neurological Disease
What was the date of diagnosis?
Case Description*
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as thoroughly as possible who you believe was responsible
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Welding Rod Lawsuits is a web site intended to provide basic information about personal injury resulting from welding rod fumes. The Welding-Rods-Lawsuits.com web site is owned and operated by CounselSeek and managed by Richard Callahan, Esq. For more information please see our disclaimer and terms and conditions. Welding Rod Lawsuits does not offer legal advice, recommendations, mediation or counseling. If you or someone you know has sustained personal injury as a result of welding rod fumes, you should contact a product liability or personal injury lawyer immediately. Click Here, for a free, no obligation consultation from a personal injury attorney.
