WELDING PROCESSES Code of Practice

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Safe Work Australia is an Australian Government statutory agency esta lis!e" in 200#$ Safe Work Australia consists of re%resentatives of t!e &ommon'ealt!( state an" territory governments( t!e Australian &ouncil of )ra"e Unions( t!e Australian &!am er of &ommerce an" *n"ustry an" t!e Australian *n"ustry Grou%$ Safe Work Australia 'orks 'it! t!e &ommon'ealt!( state an" territory governments to im%rove 'ork !ealt! an" safety an" 'orkers+ com%ensation arrangements$ Safe Work Australia is a national %olicy o"y( not a regulator of 'ork !ealt! an" safety$ )!e &ommon'ealt!( states an" territories !ave res%onsi ility for regulating an" enforcing 'ork !ealt! an" safety la's in t!eir ,uris"iction$
*S-. #/01012321/043011 5P678 *S-. #/01012321/043#10 59)78

Creative Commons :;ce%t for t!e Safe Work Australia logo( t!is co%yrig!t 'ork is license" un"er a &reative &ommons Attri ution1.oncommercial 3$0 Australia licence$ )o vie' a co%y of t!is licence( visit !tt%<==creativecommons$org=licenses= y1nc=3$0=au=

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*n essence( you are free to co%y( communicate an" a"a%t t!e 'ork for non commercial %ur%oses( as long as you attri ute t!e 'ork to Safe Work Australia an" a i"e y t!e ot!er licence terms$

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Table of Contents FOREWORD....................................................................................................................... SCOPE !ND !PPLIC!TION............................................................................................. ". INTROD#CTION.............................................................................................................$

1$1 W!at is 'el"ing> $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$2 1$2 W!o !as !ealt! an" safety "uties in relation to 'el"ing>$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$2 1$3 W!at is re?uire" to manage risks associate" 'it! 'el"ing %rocesses>$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$2

%. T&E RIS' (!N!GE(ENT PROCESS.........................................................................)

2$1 *"entifying t!e !a@ar"s$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ # 2$2 Assessing t!e risks$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$# 2$3 &ontrolling t!e risks $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 10 2$3 9evie'ing control measures$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$10

*. SPECIFIC &!+!RDS !ND CONTROL (E!S#RES..................................................""

3$1 Air orne contaminants$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$11 3$2 9a"iation$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 13 3$3 :lectrical risks$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 13 3$3 7ire an" e;%losion$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 12 3$4 -urns an" e;%osure to !eat $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$1/ 3$2 &om%resse" an" li?uefie" gases$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$10 3$/ .oise$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 1# 3$0 Lea"$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 20 3$# At!er !a@ar"s $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 21

,. WELDING E-#IP(ENT................................................................................................%*
3$1 Bentilation$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 23 3$2 Personal %rotective e?ui%ment CPP:D$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$24 3$3 Eaintenance of e?ui%ment$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$2/

. &E!LT& (ONITORING................................................................................................%. !//endi0 ! 1 234/rod5cts of 6eldin7..........................................................................*8

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FOREWORD
)!is &o"e of Practice on 'el"ing %rocesses is an a%%rove" co"e of %ractice un"er section 2/3 of t!e Work Health and Safety Act Ct!e WFS ActD$ An a%%rove" co"e of %ractice is a %ractical gui"e to ac!ieving t!e stan"ar"s of !ealt!( safety an" 'elfare re?uire" un"er t!e WFS Act an" t!e Work Fealt! an" Safety 9egulations Ct!e WFS 9egulationsD$ A co"e of %ractice a%%lies to anyone '!o !as a "uty of care in t!e circumstances "escri e" in t!e co"e$ *n most cases( follo'ing an a%%rove" co"e of %ractice 'oul" ac!ieve com%liance 'it! t!e !ealt! an" safety "uties in t!e WFS Act( in relation to t!e su ,ect matter of t!e co"e$ Like regulations( co"es of %ractice "eal 'it! %articular issues an" "o not cover all !a@ar"s or risks t!at may arise$ )!e !ealt! an" safety "uties re?uire "uty !ol"ers to consi"er all risks associate" 'it! 'ork( not only t!ose for '!ic! regulations an" co"es of %ractice e;ist$ &o"es of %ractice are a"missi le in court %rocee"ings un"er t!e WFS Act an" 9egulations$ &ourts may regar" a co"e of %ractice as evi"ence of '!at is kno'n a out a !a@ar"( risk or control an" may rely on t!e co"e in "etermining '!at is reasona ly %ractica le in t!e circumstances to '!ic! t!e co"e relates$ &om%liance 'it! t!e WFS Act an" 9egulations may e ac!ieve" y follo'ing anot!er met!o"( suc! as a tec!nical or an in"ustry stan"ar"( if it %rovi"es an e?uivalent or !ig!er stan"ar" of 'ork !ealt! an" safety t!an t!e co"e$ An ins%ector may refer to an a%%rove" co"e of %ractice '!en issuing an im%rovement or %ro!i ition notice$ )!is &o"e of Practice !as een "evelo%e" y Safe Work Australia as a mo"el co"e of %ractice un"er t!e &ouncil of Australian Governments+ Inter-Governmental Agreement for Regulatory and Operational Reform in Occupational Health and Safety for a"o%tion y t!e &ommon'ealt!( state an" territory governments$

SCOPE !ND !PPLIC!TION

)!is &o"e of Practice %rovi"es %ractical gui"ance for %ersons con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking on !o' to manage !ealt! an" safety risks associate" 'it! 'el"ing$ )!is &o"e a%%lies to all 'ork%laces covere" y t!e WFS Act '!ere 'el"ing %rocesses are carrie" out an" to all %ersons involve" in t!ese activities$ Alt!oug! t!is &o"e focuses on 'el"ing %rocesses( it may also e relevant to manage t!e risks associate" 'it! allie" %rocesses$ Wel"ing an" allie" %rocesses involve similar !a@ar"s an" in some cases t!e same risk control measures can e im%lemente"$ )!ere are many "ifferent ty%es of allie" %rocesses inclu"ing metal %re%aration( metal cutting( gouging( ra@ing an" sol"ering t!at nee" s%ecific control measures$ 7or more gui"ance on allie" %rocess control measures refer to Health and Safety in Welding WTIA Technical Note No !$ How to use this code of practice *n %rovi"ing gui"ance( t!e 'or" Gs!oul"+ is use" in t!is &o"e to in"icate a recommen"e" course of action( '!ile Gmay+ is use" to in"icate an o%tional course of action$ )!is &o"e also inclu"es various references to %rovisions of t!e WFS Act an" 9egulations '!ic! set out t!e legal re?uirements$ )!ese references are not e;!austive$ )!e 'or"s Gmust+( Gre?uires+ or Gman"atory+ in"icate t!at a legal re?uirement e;ists an" must e com%lie" 'it!$

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". INTROD#CTION "." W9at is 6eldin7:

Wel"ing is t!e %rocess of %ermanently ,oining t'o or more materials toget!er( usually metals( y !eat or %ressure or ot!$ W!en !eate"( t!e material reac!es molten state an" may e ,oine" toget!er 'it! or 'it!out a""itional filler materials eing a""e"$ )!ermo%lastics( for e;am%le can e 'el"e" toget!er using a suita le !eat source to form %ermanent ,oins$ Eany "ifferent energy sources can e use" for 'el"ing inclu"ing gas flames( electric arcs( electric resistance( lasers( electron eams( friction( molten metal at!s an" ultrasoun"$ Wel"ing inclu"es ,oining met!o"s as "iverse as fusion 'el"ing( forge 'el"ing( friction 'el"ing( ra@e 'el"ing( ra@ing( sol"ering an" e;%losion 'el"ing$ Wel"ing is a %otentially !a@ar"ous activity an" %recautions are re?uire" to avoi" electrocution( fire an" e;%losion( urns( electric s!ock( vision "amage( in!alation of %oisonous gases an" fumes( an" e;%osure to intense ultraviolet ra"iation$

".%

W9o 9as 9ealt9 and safet3 d5ties in relation to 6eldin7:

A /erson cond5ctin7 a b5siness or 5nderta;in7 !as t!e %rimary "uty to ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( t!at 'orkers an" ot!er %ersons are not e;%ose" to !ealt! an" safety risks arising from t!e usiness or un"ertaking$ A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking t!at carries out 'el"ing activities must eliminate risks arising from 'el"ing( or if t!at is not reasona ly %ractica le( minimise t!e risks so far as is reasona ly %ractica le$ )!e WFS 9egulations inclu"e more s%ecific re?uirements to manage t!e risks of !a@ar"ous c!emicals( air orne contaminants an" %lant( as 'ell as ot!er !a@ar"s associate" 'it! 'el"ing suc! as noise an" manual tasks$ Desi7ners< man5fact5rers< im/orters and s5//liers of /lant or s5bstances use" in 'el"ing must ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( t!at t!e %lant or su stance is 'it!out risks to !ealt! an" safety$ )!is "uty inclu"es carrying out testing an" analysis as 'ell as %rovi"ing s%ecific information a out t!e %lant or su stance$ Officers( suc! as com%any "irectors( !ave a "uty to e;ercise "ue "iligence to ensure t!at t!e usiness or un"ertaking com%lies 'it! t!e WFS Act an" 9egulations$ )!is inclu"es taking reasona le ste%s to ensure t!at t!e usiness or un"ertaking !as an" uses a%%ro%riate resources an" %rocesses to eliminate or minimise risks t!at arise from 'el"ing$ Wor;ers !ave a "uty to take reasona le care for t!eir o'n !ealt! an" safety an" must not a"versely affect t!e !ealt! an" safety of ot!er %ersons$ Workers must com%ly 'it! any reasona le instruction an" co1o%erate 'it! any reasona le %olicy or %roce"ure relating to !ealt! an" safety at t!e 'ork%lace$ *f %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment is %rovi"e" y t!e %erson con"ucting t!e usiness or un"ertaking( t!e 'orker must use it in accor"ance 'it! t!e information( instruction an" training %rovi"e"$

".*

W9at is re=5ired to mana7e ris;s associated 6it9 6eldin7 /rocesses:

)!e WFS 9egulations re?uire a %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking to Gmanage risks+ associate" 'it! s%ecific !a@ar"s( inclu"ing noise( !a@ar"ous c!emicals( confine" s%aces( %lant an" electricity$ Re75lation *%4*. *n or"er to manage risk un"er t!e WFS 9egulations( a "uty !ol"er must< i"entify reasona ly foreseea le !a@ar"s t!at coul" give rise to t!e risk eliminate t!e risk so far as is reasona ly %ractica le

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if it is not reasona ly %ractica le to eliminate t!e risk(minimise t!e risk so far as is reasona ly %ractica le y im%lementing control measures in accor"ance 'it! t!e !ierarc!y of risk control maintain t!e im%lemente" control measure so t!at it remains effective revie'( an" if necessary revise all risk control measures so as to maintain( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( a 'ork environment t!at is 'it!out risks to !ealt! an" safety$

)!is &o"e %rovi"es gui"ance on managing t!e risks of 'el"ing %rocesses y follo'ing a systematic %rocess t!at involves< i"entifying t!e !a@ar"s if necessary( assessing t!e risks associate" 'it! t!ese !a@ar"s im%lementing control measures( an" revie'ing control measures$ Gui"ance on t!e general risk management %rocess is availa le in t!e "ode of #ractice$ Ho% to &anage Work Health and Safety Ri'k' Consulting your workers &onsultation involves s!aring of information( giving 'orkers a reasona le o%%ortunity to e;%ress vie's an" taking t!ose vie's into account efore making "ecisions on !ealt! an" safety matters$ Section ,> A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must consult( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( 'it! 'orkers '!o carry out 'ork for t!em an" '!o are Cor are likely to eD "irectly affecte" y a 'ork !ealt! an" safety matter$ Section ,. *f t!e 'orkers are re%resente" y a !ealt! an" safety re%resentative( t!e consultation must involve t!at re%resentative$ &onsultation 'it! 'orkers an" t!eir !ealt! an" safety re%resentatives is necessary at eac! ste% of t!e risk management %rocess$ -y "ra'ing on t!e e;%erience( kno'le"ge an" i"eas of your 'orkers you are more likely to i"entify all !a@ar"s an" c!oose effective control measures$ 7or e;am%le( metal surfaces nee" to e cleane" %rior to 'el"ing to remove "e ris an" !a@ar"ous materials$ W!en consi"ering !o' to safely %re%are metal using c!emical treatments( you s!oul" consult 'it! 'orkers to etter un"erstan" t!e 'ork %ractices t!ey use an" t!e %otential !a@ar"s t!ey face$ &onsultation 'it! 'orkers can !el% you select a%%ro%riate control measures( inclu"ing any %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment t!ey may re?uire$ Consulting, co-operating and co-ordinating activities with other duty holders Section ,$ A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must consult( co1o%erate an" co1 or"inate activities 'it! all ot!er %ersons '!o !ave a 'ork !ealt! or safety "uty in relation to t!e same matter( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le$ Sometimes you may s!are res%onsi ility for a !ealt! an" safety matter 'it! ot!er usiness o%erators '!o are involve" in t!e same activities or '!o s!are t!e same 'ork%lace$ *n t!ese situations( you s!oul" e;c!ange information to fin" out '!o is "oing '!at an" 'ork toget!er in a co1o%erative an" co1or"inate" 'ay so t!at all risks are eliminate" or minimise" as far as reasona ly %ractica le$ 7or e;am%le( if you !ire a 'el"er to re%air an item of mac!inery at your 'ork%lace you s!oul" 'ork toget!er 'it! t!e 'el"er to %lan t!e 'ork( "iscuss any safety issues t!at may arise an" !o' t!e risks associate" 'it! t!e 'el"ing %rocesses( suc! as e;%osure to fumes an" noise 'ill e controlle"$

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7urt!er gui"ance on consultation is availa le in t!e "ode of #ractice$ Work Health and Safety "on'ultation( "o-operation and "o-ordination$ Information, training, instruction and supervision Section ") A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( t!e %rovision of any information( training( instruction( an" su%ervision t!at is necessary to %rotect all %ersons from risks to t!eir !ealt! an" safety arising from 'ork carrie" out$ Re75lation *) A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!at information( training an" instruction %rovi"e" to a 'orker is suita le an" a"e?uate !aving regar" to< t!e nature of t!e 'ork carrie" out y t!e 'orker t!e nature of t!e risks associate" 'it! t!e 'ork at t!e time of t!e information( training an" instruction( an" t!e control measures im%lemente"$ )!e %erson must also ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( t!at t!e information( training an" instruction is %rovi"e" in a 'ay t!at is rea"ily un"erstan"a le to '!om it is %rovi"e"$ )!e information( training( an" instruction t!at is %rovi"e" to 'orkers '!o carry out 'el"ing s!oul" inclu"e< t!e %ro%er use( 'earing( storage an" maintenance of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment CPP:D !o' to 'ork safely in !a@ar"ous environments( suc! as a confine" s%ace first ai" an" emergency %roce"ures !o' to access safety "ata s!eets CS6SD for !a@ar"ous c!emicals t!e nature of( an" reasons for( any !ealt! monitoring if re?uire"$

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%. T&E RIS' (!N!GE(ENT PROCESS %." Identif3in7 t9e 9a?ards

)!e first ste% in managing risks associate" 'it! 'el"ing %rocesses is to i"entify all t!e !a@ar"s t!at !ave t!e %otential to cause !arm$ Wel"ing an" allie" %rocesses can !ave similar !a@ar"s an" you can follo' t!e same %rocess to i"entify !a@ar"s$ 7or e;am%le ot! 'el"ing an" allie" %rocesses %ro"uces ultra violet an" infra1re" ra"iation '!ic! can cause urns( cancer an" lin"ness$ Potential !a@ar"s may e i"entifie" in a num er of "ifferent 'ays inclu"ing< con"ucting a 'alk t!roug! assessment of t!e 'ork%lace o serving t!e 'ork an" talking to 'orkers a out !o' 'ork is carrie" out ins%ecting t!e materials an" e?ui%ment t!at 'ill e use" "uring t!e 'el"ing %rocess rea"ing %ro"uct la els( S6Ss an" manufacturer+s instruction manuals talking to manufacturers( su%%liers( in"ustry associations an" !ealt! an" safety s%ecialists revie'ing inci"ent re%orts$

%.%

!ssessin7 t9e ris;s

A risk assessment involves consi"ering '!at coul" !a%%en if someone is e;%ose" to a !a@ar" com ine" 'it! t!e likeli!oo" of it !a%%ening$ Un"er t!e WFS 9egulations a risk assessment is not man"atory for 'el"ing !o'ever( it is re?uire" for s%ecific situations( for e;am%le '!en 'orking in a confine" s%ace$ *n some circumstances( a risk assessment 'ill assist to< i"entify '!ic! 'orkers are at risk of e;%osure "etermine '!at sources an" %rocesses are causing t!at risk i"entify if an" '!at kin" of control measures s!oul" e im%lemente" c!eck t!e effectiveness of e;isting control measures$ 9isks 'ill "e%en" on various factors( inclu"ing t!e< %ro%erties of t!e materials eing 'el"e" surface coating of t!e items eing 'el"e" Cfor e;am%le '!et!er t!ey contain lea" or ot!er to;ic materialsD con"ition of t!e 'el"ing e?ui%ment con"itions un"er '!ic! 'el"ing is carrie" out Cfor e;am%le( confine" s%acesD skills( com%etence an" e;%erience of t!e 'el"er$ 6ifferent 'el"ing %rocesses also influence t!e risk$ 7or e;am%le( t!e risk of electric s!ock is lo'er using gas metal arc 'el"ing CGEAWD t!an manual metal arc 'el"ing ecause t!e o%en circuit voltages are lo'er( only "irect current is use" an" t!e %o'er is s'itc!e" at t!e !an" %iece$ )!e follo'ing ?uestions may !el% to assess t!e risk< *n t!e event of e;%osure to t!e !a@ar"( 'ill t!e outcome e severe( mo"erate or mil"> Fo' often( an" for !o' long( 'ill e;%osure to t!e !a@ar" occur>

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%.*

Controllin7 t9e ris;s

The hierarchy of control measures Some control measures are more effective t!an ot!ers$ &ontrol measures can e ranke" from t!e !ig!est level of %rotection an" relia ility to t!e lo'est$ )!is ranking is kno'n as t!e hierarchy of control$ You must al'ays aim to eliminate a ha)ard an" associate" risk first$ 7or e;am%le( fa rications may e "esigne" to inclu"e many %re1cast com%onents or e;tru"e" s!a%es to eliminate t!e nee" to 'el"$ *f t!is is not reasona ly %ractica le( t!e risk must e minimise" y using one or more of t!e follo'ing a%%roac!es< Su*'titution H re%lace a !a@ar"ous %rocess or material 'it! one t!at is less !a@ar"ous( for e;am%le using su merge" arc 'el"ing instea" of flu;1core" 'ire 'el"ing 'ill re"uce t!e risk of e;%osure to ra"iation an" fumes$ *n 'el"ing( suc! ty%es of su stitution are not al'ays %ractical or tec!nically suita le$ I'olation H removing t!e 'el"er an" near y 'orkers from t!e !a@ar" or isolating or screening t!e !a@ar" from t!e 'el"er( for e;am%le ancillary %rocesses like %lasma cutting( gouging( grin"ing( fettling an" guillotining can e carrie" out in s%ecifie" areas a'ay from general fa rication( to re"uce risk of e;%osure to lou" noise at t!e 'el"ing station$ +ngineering control' H use engineering control measures to minimise t!e risk( for e;am%le( ventilation systems to remove 'el"ing fumes$ *f risk t!en remains( it must e minimise" y im%lementing admini'trative control'( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le$ 7or e;am%le( if a 'el"ing %rocess takes %lace in a very !ot environment( allo'ing t!e 'el"er to 'el" for a limite" time follo'e" y a suita le rest an" cooling1off %erio" 'ill re"uce t!e risk of !eat e;!austion$ Any remaining risk must e minimise" 'it! suita le per'onal protective e,uipment CPP:D 7or e;am%le( if t!e 'el"er !as to stan" on metallic surfaces t!at form %art of t!e electric circuit it may ecome live$ )!e use of ru er1sole" oots 'ill re"uce t!e risk of electric s!ock$ A"ministrative control measures an" PP: rely on !uman e!aviour an" su%ervision$ *f use" on t!eir o'n( t!ey ten" to e least effective in minimising risks$ A com ination of t!ese control measures may e re?uire" in or"er to a"e?uately manage t!e risks 'it! 'el"ing$ You s!oul" c!eck t!at your c!osen control measure "oes not intro"uce ne' !a@ar"s$ &!a%ter 3 of t!is &o"e %rovi"es information on control measures for 'el"ing %rocesses$ Gui"ance on allie" %rocesses control measures can e foun" in Health and Safety in Welding WTIA Technical Note No !

%.,

Revie6in7 control meas5res

)!e control measures t!at are %ut in %lace to %rotect !ealt! an" safety s!oul" e regularly revie'e" to make sure t!ey are effective$ )!is may involve( for e;am%le( atmos%!eric monitoring to measure t!e amount of 'el"ing fume in t!e 'el"er+s reat!ing @one follo'ing intro"uction of fume e;traction e?ui%ment$ *f t!e control measure is not 'orking effectively it must e revise"$ &ommon revie' met!o"s inclu"e 'ork%lace ins%ection( consultation( testing an" analysing recor"s an" "ata$ *f %ro lems are foun"( go ack t!roug! t!e risk management ste%s( revie' your information an" make furt!er "ecisions a out controlling t!e risk$

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*. SPECIFIC &!+!RDS !ND CONTROL (E!S#RES *." !irborne contaminants

Re75lation * " A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage t!e risks associate" 'it! using( !an"ling( generating or storing a !a@ar"ous c!emical at a 'ork%lace$ )!is inclu"es ensuring t!at !a@ar"ous c!emicals are correctly la elle" an" t!at 'orkers can access current safety "ata s!eets$ Wel"ing can generate fumes( mists( "ust( va%ours an" gases( inclu"ing o@one$ )!e amounts an" ty%es of fumes %ro"uce" vary greatly "e%en"ing on t!e %rocess involve" an" t!e materials eing use" suc! as metals( solvents( flu;( %aint an" %lastics$ )!e !ealt! effects of e;%osure to fumes( "ust( va%our an" gases can vary$ :ffects can inclu"e irritation of t!e u%%er res%iratory tract Cnose an" t!roatD( tig!tness in t!e c!est( as%!y;iation( ast!ma( '!ee@ing( metal fume fever( lung "amage( ronc!itis( cancer( %neumonia or em%!ysema$ Some 'el"ing fumes are easy to see( !o'ever( many gaseous fumes an" va%ours are invisi le$ Generally( fe'er fumes are generate" from gas 'el"ing t!an from electric 'el"ing %rocesses$ Also( intense ultraviolet ra"iation emitte" y arcs may travel significant "istances from arcs( es%ecially in reflective environments an" may give rise to significant ?uantities of o@one$ A%%en"i; A contains information a out fumes t!at are commonly release" "uring 'el"ing$ )o "etermine t!e risk of e;%osure to fumes "uring 'el"ing you s!oul" i"entify '!at e?ui%ment an" materials are eing use" an" t!e level of fumes( "ust( va%our an" gases generate"$ 7or e;am%le( %!os%!ine is generate" '!en steel t!at is coate" 'it! a rust %roofing com%oun" is 'el"e"$ Fig! concentrations of %!os%!ine gas are irritating to t!e eyes( nose an" skin$ )!e su stance can !ave "etrimental effects on t!e lungs an" ot!er organs$ *n or"er to %revent e;%osure to %!os%!ine in t!is circumstance( you 'oul" first i"entify rust %roofe" steel in t!e material t!at 'ill e 'el"e"$ 7or e;%osure to 'el"ing fumes( total fume concentrations as 'ell as in"ivi"ual fume com%onents s!oul" e consi"ere" "ontrol mea'ure' :liminate( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( any e;%osure to air orne contaminants t!at are !a@ar"ous c!emicals$ *f it is not reasona ly %ractica le to eliminate t!e risk( measures to minimise it must e use"$ 7or e;am%le o su stituting a !a@ar"ous c!emical 'it! a less !a@ar"ous one o re"ucing t!e ?uantity of a !a@ar"ous c!emical t!at is use"( !an"le" or store" at t!e 'ork%lace o isolating t!e source of e;%osure to t!e !a@ar"ous c!emical( for e;am%le( 'el"ing in isolation oot!s a'ay from ot!ers o using engineering control measures( for e;am%le( installing ventilation systems to ca%ture or remove air orne contaminants$ 9efer to 3$1 of t!is co"e for more information on ventilation$ *m%lement a"ministrative control measures( for e;am%le %roce"ures to !an"le !a@ar"ous c!emicals safely$ Provi"e a%%ro%riate res%iratory %rotection$ &!eck t!e S6S for 'el"ing ro"s an" 'ires to i"entify '!ic! gases an" fumes are release" "uring 'el"ing$ 7urt!er information a out controlling air orne contaminants is availa le in t!e -ume &inimi'ation Guideline' %u lis!e" y t!e Wel"ing )ec!nology *nstitute of Australia$

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Exposure standards Re75lation ,). A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!at no %erson at t!e 'ork%lace is e;%ose" to a su stance or mi;ture in an air orne concentration t!at e;cee"s t!e e;%osure stan"ar" for t!e su stance or mi;ture$ :;%osure stan"ar"s re%resent air orne concentrations of a %articular su stance or mi;ture t!at must not e e;cee"e"$ )!ere are t!ree ty%es of e;%osure stan"ar"< 01!our time1'eig!te" average %eak limitation s!ort term e;%osure limit$ :;%osure stan"ar"s are ase" on t!e air orne concentrations of in"ivi"ual su stances t!at( accor"ing to current kno'le"ge( s!oul" not cause a"verse !ealt! effects nor cause un"ue "iscomfort to nearly all 'orkers$ &!emicals 'it! 'ork%lace e;%osure stan"ar"s are liste" in t!e Workplace +.po'ure Standard' for Air*orne "ontaminant'$ )!ese e;%osure stan"ar"s are also availa le from t!e Fa@ar"ous Su stances *nformation System CFS*SD on t!e Safe Work Australia 'e site$ )!e FS*S "ata ase contains a""itional information an" gui"ance for many su stances$ Alt!oug! e;%osure stan"ar"s may also e liste" in Section 0 of t!e S6S( you s!oul" al'ays c!eck t!e Workplace +.po'ure Standard' for Air*orne "ontaminant' or FS*S to e certain$ Gui"ance on inter%reting e;%osure stan"ar"s is availa le in t!e Guidance on the Interpretation of Workplace +.po'ure Standard' for Air*orne "ontaminant'$ )o com%ly 'it! t!e WFS 9egulations( monitoring of 'ork%lace contaminant levels for c!emicals 'it! e;%osure stan"ar"s may nee" to e carrie" out$ Monitoring air orne contaminant levels Re75lation 8 A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!at air monitoring is carrie" out to "etermine t!e air orne concentration of a su stance or mi;ture at t!e 'ork%lace to '!ic! an e;%osure stan"ar" a%%lies if< t!e %erson is not certain on reasona le groun"s '!et!er or not t!e air orne concentration of t!e su stance or mi;ture at t!e 'ork%lace e;cee"s t!e relevant e;%osure stan"ar"I or monitoring is necessary to "etermine '!et!er t!ere is a risk to !ealt!$ Air monitoring is t!e sam%ling of 'ork%lace atmos%!eres to o tain an estimate of 'orkers+ %otential in!alation e;%osure to !a@ar"ous c!emicals$ Air monitoring can e use"< '!en t!ere is uncertainty a out t!e level of e;%osure to in"icate '!et!er e;%osure stan"ar"s are eing e;cee"e" or a%%roac!e" to test t!e effectiveness of t!e control measures$ Air monitoring s!oul" e carrie" out y a %erson suc! as an occu%ational !ygienist 'it! skills to carry out t!e monitoring accor"ing to stan"ar"s an" to inter%ret t!e results$ W!ere monitoring of air orne contaminants is use" to "etermine a %erson+s e;%osure( t!e monitoring must e un"ertaken in t!e reat!ing @one of t!e %erson$ Eonitoring s!oul" also e con"ucte" in t!e reat!ing @ones of ot!er 'orkers in t!e vicinity to ensure t!at t!ey are not e;%ose" to !a@ar"ous levels of fumes$

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9esults from air monitoring in"icate !o' effective your control measures are( for e;am%le '!et!er ventilation systems are o%erating as inten"e"$ *f monitoring i"entifies t!at t!e e;%osure stan"ar" is eing e;cee"e"( t!e control measures must e revie'e" an" any necessary c!anges ma"e$ 9ecor"s of air monitoring for air orne contaminants 'it! e;%osure stan"ar"s must e ke%t for a minimum of 30 years an" must e availa le to 'orkers '!o are e;%ose"$ Air monitoring cannot e use" to "etermine a risk to !ealt! via skin contact of air orne c!emicals$

*.% Radiation
9a"iation is energy travelling as 'aves of electromagnetic ra"iation or su atomic %articles$ :lectric arc an" laser 'el"ing emit ultraviolet( visi le lig!t an" infra1re" ra"iation$ Gas 'el"ing emits visi le lig!t an" infra1re" ra"iation$ )!e %otential effect of ra"iation on t!e o"y "e%en"s on t!e ty%e( intensity( t!e "istance you are from it an" t!e "uration of e;%osure$ :ye "isor"ers an" skin urns may e cause" y e;%osure to intense ultraviolet an" infra1re" ra"iation in 'el"ing$ :;%osure to t!e eyes causes Garc eye+ or G'el"ers flas!+ '!ic! is a %ainful inflammation of t!e cornea$ )!e cornea can re%air itself in one to t'o "ays( !o'ever( if t!e cornea ecomes infecte" it may lea" to some loss of vision$ )!e effects of ultraviolet an" infra1re" ra"iation are not normally felt until sometime after e;%osure$ 9a"iation from laser 'el"ing is less o vious t!an from electric 'el"ing arcs ut ot! are serious !a@ar"s$ Workers "irectly involve" in t!e 'el"ing %rocess are at greatest risk( !o'ever( ot!er 'orkers in t!e 'ork%lace an" %assers1 y coul" also e e;%ose" to ra"iation$ "ontrol mea'ure' *nstall non1flamma le screens an" %artitions$ Use signs to 'arn t!at 'el"ing is occurring$ *f 'el"ing is eing carrie" out( entry into t!e 'ork area is not %ermitte" unless safeguar"s are use" suc! as PP:$ Provi"e PP: inclu"ing filter s!a"es for goggles an" face s!iel"s to %rotect t!e eyes from ra"iation$ Gloves an" ot!er %rotective clot!ing s!oul" e 'orn to cover e;%ose" skin$

*.* Electrical ris;s

Re75lation ",> A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage risks to !ealt! an" safety associate" 'it! electrical risks at t!e 'ork%lace$ Re75lation ",) )!is inclu"es ensuring t!at any unsafe electrical e?ui%ment is "isconnecte" from its electricity su%%ly$ Re75lation " 8 A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!at electrical e?ui%ment t!at is use" in an environment in '!ic! t!e normal use of t!e electrical e?ui%ment e;%oses it to o%erating con"itions t!at are likely to result in "amage or re"uce t!e life of t!e e?ui%ment Ct!roug! moisture( !eat( vi ration( mec!anical "amage( corrosive c!emicals or "ustD is ins%ecte" an" teste" regularly y a com%etent %erson$ Re75lation "$, *n suc! con"itions t!e %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must also ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( t!at any electrical risk associate" 'it! t!e su%%ly of

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electricity to t!e electrical e?ui%ment t!roug! a socket outlet is minimise" y t!e use of an a%%ro%riate resi"ual current "evice C9&6D$ Using electrical 'el"ing e?ui%ment involves a risk of electric s!ock or electrocution$ :;%osure to electromagnetic fiel"s is also a %otential !a@ar" for 'orkers 'it! some me"ical con"itions$

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Electric shock :lectric s!ock may result in serious urns or "eat! y electrocution$ :lectric s!ock or electrocution can occur t!roug! "irect contact 'it! t!e electro"e( live %arts( t!e 'ork %iece( or t!roug! contact 'it! a "evice suc! as an uneart!e" ca le or tool$ )!e risk of electric s!ock can e e;acer ate" y moisture an" !ig! !umi"ity$ "ontrol mea'ure' Use fully insulate" electro"e !ol"ers$ )!e !ol"er s!oul" never e "i%%e" into 'ater to cool( or e %lace" on con"uctive surfaces$ Prevent contacting electro"es or 'el"ing 'ire 'it! are !an"s '!en in t!e !ol"er or 'el"ing gun C'ear "ry 'el"ing glovesD( an" make sure t!at !ol"ers or 'el"ing guns are never !el" un"er t!e arm%its$ Prevent !ol"ers or electro"es coming into contact 'it! any ot!er %erson$ &!eck t!e 'orking area "oes not !ave any %otentially live structures( com%onents or 'et areas$ *nstall a 9&6$ *ns%ect all e?ui%ment to c!eck t!at it is in goo" con"ition %rior to use( inclu"ing %o'er s'itc!es( terminals( connections( ca les an" insulation$ )!e 'orking environment s!oul" e "esigne" to minimise t!e risk of electric s!ock$ 7or e;am%le( areas '!ere 'el"ing is un"ertaken( can e insulate" an" air1ventilate" to %revent 'orkers from %ers%iring as %ers%iration is a con"uctor of electricity$ )a le 1 elo' lists several 'ays to minimise t!e risk of electric s!ock '!en carrying out 'el"ing$ Table "@ Proced5res to minimise t9e ris; of electric s9oc; Wor; /9ase
-efore 'el"ing

Proced5re
-ecome familiar 'it! t!e %roce"ures an" emergency %lans for your 'ork%lace an" make sure you un"erstan" !o' to %erform 'el"ing activities safely an" '!at you nee" to "o if a %erson suffers an electric s!ock$ 6o not 'ork in an environment t!at is "am%( !umi" or 'et( or '!ere a 'orker may e e;%ose" to rain$ &!eck t!e e?ui%ment is 'ell maintaine"$ 7or e;am%le( con"uctors s!oul" e 'ell insulate" to %revent contact 'it! live con"uctors$ *nstall s!ut "o'n mec!anisms suc! as fuses( lo' voltage safety s'itc!es or resi"ual current "evices on e?ui%ment$

6uring 'el"ing

*n !a@ar"ous 'orking environments avoi" 'orking alone$ Use an a%%ro%riate !a@ar" re"ucing "evice$ Avoi" leaning against t!e material or structure "uring 'el"ing$ Wear %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment inclu"ing 'el"ing gloves an" ru s!oes '!ile 'orking$ er insulate"

W!ere %ractica le stan"( lay or sit on non1con"ucting material '!ile carrying out 'el"ing$ Al'ays kee% t!e 'el"ing mac!ine terminals an" ca le connections clean an" tig!t an" only use 'el"ing ca les t!at are fully insulate" for t!eir entire lengt!$ Einimise %ers%iration y allo'ing time to "ry e?ui%ment "uring reaks( c!anging clot!ing( gloves( using ventilators an" using an air fe" 'el"ing mask$ 6o not c!ange electro"es y !an" '!ilst simultaneously touc!ing t!e enc! or t!e

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'ork %iece$ 6o not connect or c!ange 'el"ing ca les efore s'itc!ing off t!e %o'er at t!e mains$ W!ere "evices !ave an eart! Cgroun"D connection( it is essential it is connecte" at all times$ After 'el"ing &!eck t!e con"ition of all e?ui%ment after use an" re%ort any "efects$

7urt!er gui"ance a out electrical safety is availa le in< &o"e of Practice< &anaging +lectrical Ri'k' at the Workplace Welding +lectrical Safety( WTIA Technical Note No //( pu*li'hed *y the Welding Technology In'titute of Au'tralia AS 12/3$2< Safety in %elding and allied proce''e' 0 +lectrical$ AS 20#/3$1< Arc %elding e,uipment 0 Welding po%er 'ource' CSection 11 an" 13 for !a@ar" re"ucing "evicesD Electromagnetic fields :lectric arc 'el"ing %ro"uces strong electric an" magnetic fiel"s close to t!e %o'er source an" aroun" t!e current1carrying ca les$ :lectromagnetic fiel"s can "isru%t t!e o%eration of %acemakers( %ermanent "efi rillators or ot!er me"ical "evices '!ic! coul" cause t!e !eart to sto% or slo' "o'n$ A 'orker 'ill not e a'are of a magnetic fiel" !a@ar" unless a !eart %acemaker or ot!er "evice is e!aving irregularly$ :lectromagnetic fiel"s can also occur '!erever %o'er is eing generate" an" near transmission lines$ -efore 'ork near t!ese facilities egins( you s!oul" c!eck 'it! t!e electricity su%%ly com%any to make sure 'ork 'ill not affect t!e su%%ly of %o'er or if t!ere are any s%ecial %recautions 'el"ers nee" to take '!en 'orking in t!ose areas$ "ontrol mea'ure' Use arriers to isolate %eo%le '!o are not "irectly involve" in t!e 'el"ing %rocess$ Use signs in"icating t!ere are strong electromagnetic fiel"s s!oul" e use" to alert %eo%le to risks$ Workers s!oul" not stan" close to t!e %o'er source or "ra%e t!e 'el"ing ca le aroun" t!eir o"y$ Workers 'it! %acemakers or ot!er susce%ti le "evices s!oul" su stitute 'ork t!at involves e;%osure to electromagnetic fiel"s for anot!er ty%e of 'el"ing %rocess( suc! as %erforming o;y1fuel 'el"ing instea" of electric arc 'el"ing$ Seek me"ical a"vice efore e;%osing a 'orker 'earing suc! a "evice to 'el"ing relate" electromagnetic fiel"s$

*., Fire and e0/losion

Re75lation % A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage risks to !ealt! an" safety associate" 'it! ignition sources in a !a@ar"ous atmos%!ere at t!e 'ork%lace t!at are not %art of a "eli erate 'ork%lace %rocess or activity$ Re75lation * A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!at flamma le or com usti le su stances ke%t at t!e 'ork%lace are ke%t at t!e lo'est %ractica le ?uantity$ Wel"ing generates !eat( flames an" s%arksJall of '!ic! are sources of ignition$ W!en com ine" 'it! sources of fuel an" o;ygen( sources of ignition %resent a significant risk of fire an" e;%losion$ You must manage risks to !ealt! an" safety associate" 'it! an ignition source in a !a@ar"ous atmos%!ere$ )!is inclu"es i"entifying all sources of ignition( suc! as ot!er %rocesses associate" 'it! 'el"ing( for e;am%le grin"ing '!ic! can also generate !eat( flames an" s%arks$

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&ommon sources of fuel t!at can e foun" in 'ork%laces inclu"e flamma le an" com usti le materials suc! as( flamma le gases( Cfor e;am%le( acetylene( !y"rogen( met!ane1natural gasD( li?uefie" %etroleum gas Cfor e;am%le( ar e?ue gasD( flamma le li?ui"s Cfor e;am%le( mineral tur%entine( %etrolD( com usti le li?ui"s Cfor e;am%le( oilsD an" materials suc! as 'oo"( leaves( car" oar" o;es an" flamma le metal or self1 urning "usts$ .eig! ouring %ro%erties may !ave containers of fuel( flamma le li?ui"s an" "rie" grass or leaves '!ic! also can %resent a !a@ar" to your 'ork%lace if t!ese sources ignite$ )!e risk of fire an" e;%losion coul" e increase" y e;%osure to an o;ygen ric! atmos%!ere at your 'ork%lace$ 7ires in o;ygen ric! atmos%!eres are very "ifficult to e;tinguis!$ W!en o;ygen comes in contact 'it! oil( grease( ot!er !y"rocar ons or oil ase" su stances( it can s%ontaneously ignite an" result in a fire or e;%losion$ 7or e;am%le( containers 'it! %otentially flamma le materials an" %ressurise" cylin"ers( %i%es or vessels s!oul" never e cut$ Un"er t!e WFS 9egulations an atmos%!ere is a !a@ar"ous atmos%!ere if t!e concentration of a flamma le gas( va%our( mist or fume e;cee"s five %er cent of t!e lo'er e;%losive limit for t!e gas( va%our( mist or fume$ )!e criteria for classification of !a@ar"ous areas are "escri e" in AS=.KS 200/#< 1'erie'2 +.plo'ive atmo'phere' an" AS=.KS 21231$10< +lectrical apparatu' for u'e in the pre'ence of com*u'ti*le du't 0 cla''ification of area' %here com*u'ti*le du't' are or may *e pre'ent You may nee" to "evelo% s%ecific %roce"ures for 'el"ing in a !a@ar"ous atmos%!ere or !a@ar"ous area$ 7or e;am%le( t!e WFS 9egulations re?uires a Gconfine" s%aces entry %ermit+ for 'ork in a confine" s%ace$ W!en 'el"ing in an area t!at is not a confine" s%ace( you s!oul" still "ocument s%ecific %roce"ures '!ic! s!oul" inclu"e t!e issue of a G!ot 'ork %ermit+$ 7or furt!er gui"ance a out G!ot 'ork+ or G!ot 'ork %ermit+ refer to AS 12/3$1< Safety in %elding and allied proce''e' - -ire precaution'$ You s!oul" also take into consi"eration t!e areas an" usinesses surroun"ing t!e 'ork%lace$ "ontrol mea'ure' *solate fuel sources from ignition sources$ Purge all traces of flamma le or com usti le materials from "rums( vessels an" tanks '!ic! are to e 'el"e" %rior to 'el"ing( an" %refera ly fill 'it! an inert su stance suc! as nitrogen gas or 'ater$ Use fire resistant arriers to %revent 'el"ing s%arks acci"ently reac!ing flamma le an" com usti le materials$ &!eck 'ork areas are 'ell ventilate" to %revent accumulation of flamma le va%ours in t!e 'ork area$ &!eck 'ork area is free from ru is!( %a%er or "ust t!at coul" e %otential fuel sources or %ro"uce "ust e;%losions$ Use flas! ack arrestors on gas !oses to %revent t!e flames travelling ack an" igniting t!e gas in cylin"er$ 6rain an" %urge e?ui%ment( suc! as gas !oses( an" lock t!e gas off at t!e valve imme"iately after use$ 6o not store flamma le an" com usti le materials near 'el"ing area$ Lee% an" maintain fire fig!ting e?ui%ment near 'el"ing area$

*. 25rns and e0/os5re to 9eat

Re75lation ,8 A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( 'orkers carrying out 'ork in e;tremes of !eat or col" are a le to carry out 'ork 'it!out risk to !ealt! an" safety$

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Re75lation %8) Persons 'it! management or control of %lant must ensure( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( t!at any %i%e or ot!er %art of t!e %lant associate" 'it! !eat or col" is guar"e" or insulate" so t!at t!e %lant is 'it!out risks to t!e !ealt! an" safety of any %erson$ -urns are one of t!e most common in,uries in 'el"ing$ )!e tem%erature of a 'el"ing arc can reac! 2000 "egrees &elsius$ )!e intense ultraviolet an" infra1re" rays can e !armful to ot! t!e 'el"er an" anyone else near y$ -urns occur fre?uently on !an"s an" ot!er e;%ose" skin( ut also in eyes from s%arks an" metal fragments$ )!e sym%toms of e;%osure to t!is level of !eat are similar to e;treme sun urn$ "ontrol mea'ure' *solate 'orkers from contacting !ot 'ork %ieces( for e;am%le( carry out %ost1'el" !eat treatment in areas '!ere 'ork %ieces cannot e acci"ently touc!e"$ Eark or la el as G!ot+ e?ui%ment( metals( %lates or items likely to e !ot in t!e 'el"ing area to minimise acci"ental urns$ &ontact 'it! !eate" surfaces can e avoi"e" y using t!ermal insulating materials an" 'earing %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment$ Heat Wel"ing can often %ro"uce !eat at a level t!at creates an uncomforta le an" !a@ar"ous 'orking environment$ :;%osure to e;treme !eat is %articularly !a@ar"ous '!en 'orking out"oors in "irect sunlig!t( on !ot "ays an" in confine" s%aces$ Working in a !ot environment can cause !eat ras!( !eat stress( !eat stroke an" result in %ermanent in,ury or "eat!$ Feat stress is a serious me"ical con"ition an" can occur gra"ually an" !as a range of sym%toms$ W!ile "iscomfort( "e!y"ration an" s'eating can e easily notice" y a 'orker( sym%toms suc! as lack of concentration( fatigue( let!argy an" confusion are less noticea le$ Wearing PP: can also restrict air movement an" s'eat eva%oration '!ic! can make a 'orker+s imme"iate environment !ot$ Workers s!oul" also e familiar 'it! safe 'orking %ractices in or"er to avoi" e;%osure to e;treme !eat$ 7or e;am%le( '!en 'orking 'it! a %lasma arc( 'orkers s!oul" kee% a'ay from t!e torc! ti% an" not gri% materials near t!e cutting %at!$ "ontrol mea'ure' Bentilate 'ork areas to re"uce t!e uil" u% of !eat in t!e 'ork%lace$ Workers s!oul" "rink cool "rinking 'ater an" take regular sc!e"ule" rest reaks$ 7urt!er information is availa le in t!e "ode of #ractice$ &anaging the Work +nvironment and -acilitie'

*.$ Com/ressed and li=5efied 7ases

&om%resse" an" li?uefie" gases are use" as fuel( a source of o;ygen or as s!iel"ing gases in certain ty%es of 'el"ing$ &ylin"ers contain large volumes of gas un"er !ig! %ressure an" %recautions nee" to e taken '!en storing( !an"ling an" using cylin"ers$ )!e !a@ar"s associate" 'it! com%resse" an" li?uefie" gases inclu"e fire( e;%losion( to;icity( as%!y;iation( o;i"isation an" uncontrolle" release of %ressure$ Gas leakage is a %articular !a@ar"s$ Leaking fuel gas is usually recognise" y o"our( !o'ever( o;ygen leaks are !ar"er to "etect an" t!erefore %otentially more !a@ar"ous$ "ontrol mea'ure' Store an" !an"le cylin"ers a%%ro%riately$ 7or furt!er gui"ance refer to AS 3332< The 'torage and handling of ga'e' in cylinder'$ Lee% cylin"ers maintaine" free from leaks or "ents$

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JULY 2012

Store cylin"ers in an u%rig!t %osition to ensure t!e safety "evice functions correctly$ Secure cylin"ers to %revent "islo"gement$ :nsure flas! ack arrestors are fitte" at t!e lo' %i%e at t!e regulator on o;ygen an" lines of o;y1fuel gas systems$ Lee% t!e cylin"er valve close" '!en t!e cylin"er is not eing use"$ 7las! ack arrestors s!oul" e fitte" at t!e lo' %i%e an" to t!e o;ygen an" fuel gas regulators$

*f a small leak occurs( close t!e cylin"er valve if %ossi le$ )!e area s!oul" e 'ell ventilate" an" air con"itioning systems s!oul" e turne" off to avoi" s%rea"ing gas$ Fo'ever( if a large amount of gas esca%es( emergency %roce"ures s!oul" e im%lemente"$ !sphyxiation ha"ards As%!y;ia is a con"ition t!at occurs '!ere t!ere is lack of o;ygen$ All gases( inclu"ing fuel gases Cfor e;am%le( !y"rogen( acetylene an" li?ui" %etroleum gasD an" inert gases Cfor e;am%le( argon( !elium an" nitrogenD are an as%!y;iation !a@ar" in !ig! concentrations$ )oo little o;ygen in t!e air t!at 'e reat!e can cause fatigue an" in e;treme cases "eat!$ Using com%resse" an" li?uefie" gases can result in "angerously lo' levels of o;ygen( eit!er t!roug! consum%tion of o;ygen in t!e air C urning of fuelD or '!ere an accumulation of gases "is%laces o;ygen in air$ 7or e;am%le( gases t!at are !eavier t!an air can accumulate in lo' lying areas suc! as %its( 'ells an" cellars an" gases t!at are lig!ter t!an air can accumulate in !ig! areas( for e;am%le roof s%aces an" lofts$ )o ensure t!e controlle" release of gas in an emergency situation( o;ygen( !y"rogen( car on "io;i"e an" inert gas cylin"ers s!oul" e fitte" 'it! a ursting "isc safety "evice an" li?ui" %etroleum gas cylin"ers s!oul" !ave an o%erational s%ring1loa"e" %ressure relief valve$ Acetylene cylin"ers must e fitte" 'it! a fusi le %lug in t!e neck of t!e cylin"er an" must al'ays e store" an" use" in an u%rig!t %osition$ "ontrol mea'ure' Avoi" 'ork eing carrie" out in o;ygen1enric!e" Cover 23 %er centD or o;ygen1"e%lete" Cun"er 1#$4 %er centD atmos%!eres$ Lee% t!e 'ork area 'ell ventilate"( %articularly in lo' lying areas an" roof s%aces '!ere gases can accumulate$ Use an air su%%lie" res%irator( %articularly in confine" s%aces$ Eonitor t!e atmos%!ere to c!eck it is free of !armful contaminants an" contains an a"e?uate o;ygen level$ See 3$10 of t!is &o"e for more information a out confine" s%aces$ &!eck cylin"er fittings( !oses an" connections are not "amage" or in %oor con"ition$

*.> Noise
Re75lation > A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage t!e risk to !ealt! an" safety relating to !earing loss associate" 'it! noise$ )!e %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!at t!e noise a 'orker is e;%ose" to at t!e 'ork%lace "oes not e;cee" t!e e;%osure stan"ar" for noise$ Re75lation . Au"iometric testing must e %rovi"e" to a 'orker '!o is fre?uently re?uire" to use %ersonal !earing %rotectors to %rotect t!e 'orker from !earing loss associate" 'it! noise t!at e;cee"s t!e e;%osure stan"ar" for noise$ :;%osure to !ig! noise levels can cause %ermanent !earing loss$ :?ui%ment for %erforming 'el"ing can generate varying levels an" fre?uencies of noise t!at may cause 'orkers to e

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e;%ose" to noise t!at e;cee"s t!e e;%osure stan"ar"$ S%ecifically %lasma arc 'el"ing generally e;cee"s t!e noise levels generate" y ot!er 'el"ing activity an" ranges et'een #0 to 112 "-CAD$ )!e e;%osure stan"ar" for noise in relation to !earing loss( is "efine" in t!e WFS 9egulations as an LAeq,8h of 85 dB(A) or an LC,peak of 140 dB(C)$ )!ere are t'o %arts to t!e e;%osure stan"ar" for noise ecause noise can eit!er cause gra"ual !earing loss over a %erio" of time or e so lou" t!at it causes imme"iate !earing loss$ )!e most effective control measure is to remove t!e source of noise com%letely$ *f t!is is not %ossi le( mo"ify e?ui%ment an" %rocesses to re"uce t!e noise( or isolate t!e source of noise from %eo%le y using "istance( arriers( 'el"ing ays an" soun" a sor ing surfaces Cty%es of engineering control measuresD$ *f t!ese measures are not reasona ly %ractica le( im%lement a"ministrative control measures '!ic! limit t!e amount of noise %eo%le are e;%ose" to an" !o' long t!ey are e;%ose" to it$ Lastly( %ersonal !earing %rotection must e %rovi"e" to %rotect 'orkers from any remaining risk$ 7urt!er gui"ance a out controlling noise in t!e 'ork%lace is availa le at "ode of #ractice$ &anaging Noi'e and #reventing Hearing 3o'' at Work$

*.. Lead
Lea" can ecome an air orne contaminant '!en sol"ering an" 'el"ing materials$ A 'el"er may e e;%ose" to lea" '!en 'el"ing on steel %ainte" 'it! lea"e" %aints( on lea"e" steel( flame cutting of atteries an" materials contaminate" 'it! lea" Cfor e;am%le( ol" automotive mufflersD$ )!e ma,or risk associate" 'it! lea" is lea" %oisoning C%lum ismD$ )!is affects t!e loo" system an" can cause anemia$ At!er sym%toms inclu"e a "ominal %ain( convulsions( !allucinations( coma( 'eakness( tremors an" t!e %ossi le increase" risk of cancer$ Lea" e;%osure can also affect ot! male an" female re%ro"uctive systems$ A "evelo%ing foetus is %articularly at risk( es%ecially in t!e early 'eeks efore a %regnancy ecomes kno'n$ Un"er t!e WFS 9egulations a %rocess y '!ic! electric arc( o;yacetylene( o;y gas( %lasma arc or a flame is a%%lie" for 'el"ing( cutting or cleaning( to t!e surface of metal coate" 'it! lea" or %aint containing more t!an 1 %er cent y "ry 'eig!t of lea" metal is "efine" as a lead /rocess$ )!is means certain re?uirements in t!e WFS 9egulations a%%ly inclu"ing i"entifying lea" risk 'ork an" removing a 'orker from lea" risk 'ork in certain circumstances$ Re75lation *) A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking t!at carries out lea" %rocesses must %rovi"e information a out t!e lea" %rocess to< a %erson '!o is likely to carrying out t!e lea" %rocess( efore t!ey are engage"I an" a 'orker( efore t!ey commence carrying out t!e lea" %rocess$ *f 'ork is i"entifie" as lea" risk 'ork after a 'orker commences t!e 'ork( t!e %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must give information a out t!e lea" %rocess to t!e 'orker as soon as %ractica le after it is i"entifie" as lea" risk 'ork an" efore !ealt! monitoring of t!e 'orker is %rovi"e"$ )!e information t!at must e given is a out t!e !ealt! risks an" to;ic effects associate" 'it! e;%osure to lea"$ *f t!e lea" %rocess involves lea" risk 'ork( information must also e given on t!e nee" for an" "etails of !ealt! monitoring$

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"ontrol mea'ure' )!e WFS 9egulations re?uire you to< ensure so far as is reasona ly %ractica le t!at lea" is confine" to a lea" %rocess area at t!e 'ork%lace an" t!at( t!e lea" %rocess area is ke%t clean ensure t!at met!o"s use" to clean a lea" %rocess area "o not create a risk to !ealt! of %ersons in t!e imme"iate vicinity or !ave t!e %otential to s%rea" t!e contamination of lea" take all reasona le ste%s to ensure t!at a %erson "oes not eat( "rink( c!e' gum( smoke or carry materials use" for smoking in a lea" %rocess area %rovi"e an" maintain clean c!anging rooms( 'as!ing( s!o'ering an" toilet facilities %rovi"e 'orkers 'it! eating an" "rinking facilities t!at( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le( cannot e contaminate" 'it! lea" from a lea" %rocess ensure t!at 'orkers remove clot!ing an" e?ui%ment t!at is or likely to e contaminate" 'it! lea" an" 'as! t!eir !an"s an" faces efore entering an eating or "rinking area$ )!e WFS 9egulations also s%ecify control measures for t!e laun"ering( "is%osal an" removal of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment t!at is likely to e contaminate" 'it! lea" "ust$ )!ere are also s%ecific notification re?uirements un"er t!e WFS 9egulations for notifying t!e regulator 'it!in / "ays t!at lea" risk 'ork is eing un"ertaken$

*.) Ot9er 9a?ards

Confined spaces Re75lation $, A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage t!e risks to !ealt! an" safety associate" 'it! a confine" s%ace at a 'ork%lace inclu"ing risks associate" 'it! entering( 'orking in( on or in t!e vicinity of a confine" s%ace Cinclu"ing a risk of a %erson ina"vertently entering t!e confine" s%aceD$ Fa@ar"s t!at may e encountere" in a confine" s%ace inclu"e< !eat an" fumes generate" y 'el"ing c!emical agents inclu"ing com usti le gases or va%ours( to;ic gases or va%ours( com usti le or to;ic li?ui"s or soli"s( or %otentially e;%losive "usts o;ygen "eficiency or e;cess %!ysical agents inclu"ing t!ermal e;tremes( ra"iation( noise or floo"ing$ 7urt!er gui"ance on !o' to 'ork safely in confine" s%aces is availa le in t!e "ode of #ractice$ "onfined Space' an" section 3$1 of t!is &o"e$ #alls Re75lation >. A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage t!e risks to !ealt! an" safety associate" 'it! a fall y a %erson from one level to anot!er t!at is reasona ly likely to cause in,ury to t!e %erson or any anot!er %erson$ )!e WFS 9egulations re?uire t!e follo'ing s%ecific control measures to e im%lemente" '!ere it is reasona ly %ractica le to "o so< carry out t!e 'ork on soli" construction( t!at inclu"es a safe means of access an" egress if a fall risk cannot e eliminate"( minimise t!e risk y %rovi"ing an" maintaining a safe system of 'ork inclu"ing< o using fall %revention "evices Cfor e;am%le( tem%orary 'ork %latforms an" guar" railingD o 'ork %ositioning systems Cfor e;am%le( fire resistant=flame %roof in"ustrial ro%e access systemsD( or
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fall arrest systems suc! as catc! %latforms$

*n some cases( a com ination of control measures may e necessary( for e;am%le( using safety !arnesses '!ile 'orking from an elevating 'ork %latform$ Wel"ing s!oul" not e carrie" out on la""ers$ )!ere is a risk of in,ury from falls "ue to t!e limite" visi ility of t!e 'orker( insta ility '!en 'orking on a la""er an" risk of electrocution if an aluminium la""er is use" in con,unction 'it! electric 'el"ing$ La""ers may also e "amage" y 'el"ing$ 7urt!er gui"ance a out 'orking at !eig!ts is availa le in t!e "ode of #ractice$ Ho% to #revent -all' at the Workplace Manual tasks Re75lation $8 A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must manage t!e risks to !ealt! an" safety relating to a musculoskeletal "isor"er associate" 'it! !a@ar"ous manual tasks$ Wel"ing may result in ack strain from lifting or %us!ing an" muscle strain from 'orking in a'k'ar" %ositions$ A""itional !a@ar"s may arise from t!e use of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment t!at restricts movement( gri% an" mo ility$ Ways of minimising t!e risk of musculoskeletal "isor"ers inclu"e< "esigning t!e layout of t!e 'ork area an" %ositioning t!e 'ork %iece in a 'ay t!at allo's 'orkers to a"o%t a comforta le %osition( an" re"ucing t!e amount of force necessary to %erform tasks( suc! as using rigging to lift !eavy 'ork %ieces an" using trolleys to trans%ort cylin"ers$ 7urt!er gui"ance on !o' to manage t!e risks of !a@ar"ous manual tasks is availa le in t!e "ode of #ractice$ Ha)ardou' &anual Ta'k'

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,. WELDING E-#IP(ENT ,." Aentilation

Bentilation can remove !eat from t!e environment an" re"uce e;%osure to fumes an" ot!er atmos%!eric contaminants in t!e 'ork area$ )!ere are t!ree main ty%es of ventilation< local e;!aust ventilation force" "ilution ventilation natural "ilution ventilation$ )!e c!oice of ventilation system s!oul" take into account< t!e amount an" ty%e of fumes an" contaminants %ro"uce" t!e %ro;imity an" location of t!e 'el"ing %rocess relative to t!e ventilation system t!e level of ventilation( natural or mec!anical( ot! for t!e '!ole 'ork%lace an" t!e 'el"ing area H t!is 'ill also "e%en" on screens an" %artitions '!ic! may restrict cross1flo' at t!e 'ork area t!e %ro;imity of t!e 'el"er+s reat!ing @one to t!e fume source$ $ocal exhaust ventilation A local e;!aust system may com%rise t!e elements liste"< a !oo" '!ic! ca%tures t!e contaminant close to its %oint of generation a "uct system to move contaminant a'ay from t!e 'ork area an air cleaning system to %revent %ollution of t!e general atmos%!ere an e;!aust fan to %rovi"e air flo' a stack or ot!er means of "isc!arging t!e "econtaminate" air into t!e atmos%!ere$ Local e;!aust ventilation systems s!oul" e "esigne" to %rovi"e a minimum ca%ture velocity at t!e fume source of 0$4m=secon" a'ay from t!e 'el"er$ *nlets an" outlets s!oul" e ke%t clear at all times$ Air from a local e;!aust ventilation system s!oul" not e re1circulate" into t!e 'orkroom$ )!is air s!oul" e "isc!arge" into t!e outsi"e air a'ay from ot!er 'ork areas an" a'ay from air con"itioning inlets or com%ressors su%%lying reat!ing air$ :;am%les of local e;!aust ventilation suita le for 'el"ing o%erations inclu"e< fi;e" installations( suc! as si"e1"raug!t or "o'n1"raug!t ta les an" enc!es( an" %artially or com%letely enclose" oot!s %orta le installations( suc! as mova le !oo"s t!at are attac!e" to fle;i le "ucts Cfor e;am%le( see -igure 4D lo' volume !ig! velocity fume e;tractors attac!e" "irectly to t!e 'el"ing gun Cfor e;am%le( see -igure /D$

#orced dilution ventilation An elevate" concentration of atmos%!eric contaminants can e "ilute" 'it! a sufficient volume of clean air$ Successful "ilution ventilation "e%en"s not only on t!e correct e;!aust volume ut also on control of t!e airflo' t!roug! t!e 'ork%lace$ Alt!oug! force" "ilution ventilation systems are not as effective in controlling atmos%!eric contaminants as local e;!aust ventilation systems( t!ey may e useful to control minor emissions of lo' to;icity contaminants$

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Fi75re "@ Local :;!aust ventilation in confine" s%ace 'el"ing

Fi75re %@ 7ume e;traction attac!e" to t!e 'el"ing gun %atural ventilation .atural ventilation s!oul" only e use" for general comfort not as an engineere" control measure for atmos%!eric contaminants an" fumes$ .atural ventilation can assist 'it! t!e transfer of contaminants from t!e 'ork area !o'ever it is not a relia le 'ay of "iluting or "is%ersing contaminants$ 7or e;am%le( if a 'orker is 'orking in a fi;e" %osition an" t!e natural 'in" velocity is mil" or 'in" is in a "irection to'ar"s t!e 'orker( t!e 'orker may remain e;%ose" to contaminants t!at !ave not een remove" from t!e 'orker+s reat!ing @one$

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,.%

Personal /rotective e=5i/ment BPPEC

Re75lation ,, *f %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment is to e use" at t!e 'ork%lace( t!e %erson con"ucting t!e usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!e e?ui%ment is selecte" to minimise risk to !ealt! an" safety inclu"ing y ensuring t!at t!e e?ui%ment is< suita le for t!e nature of t!e 'ork an" any !a@ar" associate" 'it! t!e 'ork a suita le si@e an" fit an" reasona ly comforta le for t!e %erson 'earing it maintaine"( re%aire" or re%lace" so it continues to minimise t!e risk( an" use" or 'orn y t!e 'orker( so far as is reasona ly %ractica le$ A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking '!o "irects t!e carrying out of 'ork must %rovi"e t!e 'orker 'it! information( training an" instruction in t!e %ro%er use an" 'earing of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%mentI an" t!e storage an" maintenance of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment$ A 'orker must( so far as reasona ly a le( 'ear t!e PP: in accor"ance 'it! any information( training or reasona le instruction an" must not intentionally misuse or "amage t!e e?ui%ment$ *n most cases PP: must e 'orn y 'orkers '!en 'el"ing to su%%lement !ig!er levels of controls suc! as ventilation systems or a"ministrative controls Csee 7igure 3D$

Fi75re *@ Wel"er 'earing 'el"ing !elmet( "ry leat!er 'el"ing gloves an" leat!er a%ron W!en PP: is 'orn y 'orkers( it s!oul" not intro"uce ot!er !a@ar"s to t!e 'orker( suc! as musculoskeletal in,uries( t!ermal "iscomfort( or re"uce" visual an" !earing ca%acity$

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)!e ty%es of PP: recommen"e" for use in 'el"ing are summarise" in t!e follo'ing ta le< PPE t3/e
:yes( face an" !ea" %rotection Ce$g$ goggles( !elmets( !an" s!iel"s an" %rotective filtersD

&a?ards
Lig!t( ra"iation( urns from !ot "e ris an" s%arks

Recommendation
Workers s!oul" al'ays !ave t!eir eyes( face an"=or !ea" %rotecte" '!enever t!ey are 'el"ing$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 1330< 1'erie'2 -ilter' for eye protector'( AS=.KS 1330$1< -ilter' for eye protector' - -ilter' for protection again't radiation generated in %elding and allied operation' an" AS=.KS 1332< Recommended practice' for occupational eye %rotection an" AS=.KS 133/< +ye protector' for indu'trial application' :ar %lugs or ear muffs may e re?uire" to minimise t!e risks of noise$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 12/0< Acou'tic' Hearing protector' an" AS=.KS 122#$3< Occupational noi'e management 0 Hearing protector program Gloves s!oul" e fire resistant an" %rotect e;%ose" skin on t!e !an"s an" 'rists$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 2121< 1'erie'2 Occupational protective glove' Avoi" clot!ing t!at !as t!e %otential to ca%ture !ot s%arks an" metals( for e;am%le in %ockets or ot!er fol"s$ &lot!ing s!oul" e ma"e of natural fi res$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 3402< 1'erie'2 &ethod' for evaluating clothing for protection again't heat and fire 7oot %rotection s!oul" e non1sli% an" e !eat an" fire resistant$ Avoi" using foot %rotection t!at !as t!e %otential to ca%ture !ot s%arks an" metal "e ris( for e;am%le in laces or in o%en style s!oes$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 2210< 1'erie'2 Occupational protective foot%ear an" AS=.KS 2210$1< Safety( protective and occupational foot%ear - Guide to 'election( care and u'e A%a?ue or a%%ro%riate translucent screens can e use" to %rotect t!e !ealt! an" safety of %eo%le 'it!in t!e vicinity of 'el"ing$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 3#4/< 3ighttran'mitting 'creen' and curtain' for %elding operation' 9es%irators s!oul" e fitte" for eac! %erson in"ivi"ually an" if one is to e use" y anot!er o%erator( it must e "isinfecte" an" refitte" efore use$ )!e tig!tness of all connections an" t!e con"ition of t!e face %iece( !ea" an"s an" valves s!oul" e c!ecke" efore eac! use$ Air su%%lie" res%irators may e re?uire" in some situations( e$g$ confine" s%aces$ 7or furt!er information refer to< AS=.KS 1/12< Re'piratory protective device' an" e selecte" in accor"ance 'it! AS=.KS 1/14< Selection( u'e and maintenance of re'piratory protective e,uipment $

Fearing %rotection Ce$g$ ear muffs an" ear %lugsD

Fearing loss

Gloves= gauntlets

Feat( ultraviolet lig!t an" urns from !ot "e ris an" s%arks Feat( ultraviolet lig!t an" urns from !ot "e ris an" s%arks

&lot!ing Ce$g$ flame resistant long sleeve" s!irts( long trousers( a%rons an" leat!er s%atsD 7oot %rotection Ce$g$ oots an" s!oesD

Fot metal "e ris( ot!er metal "e ris an" electric s!ock

Screens

:;%osure to t!e rays of an arc "uring electric 'el"ing o%erations 6usts( !a@ar"ous fumes( gases an" c!emicals an" o;ygen "e%lete" atmos%!eres

9es%iratory %rotective "evices Cface res%irators an" air su%%lie" res%iratorsD

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,.*

(aintenance of e=5i/ment

You must ensure t!at any e?ui%ment use" in 'el"ing is a"e?uately maintaine"$ :lectrical e?ui%ment suc! as %o'er sources( generators an" 'el"ing mac!ines an" "evices like ventilation systems an" e?ui%ment must e %ro%erly installe"( maintaine"( re%aire" an" teste"$ :?ui%ment use" 'it! com%resse" gases( inclu"ing regulators( must e %ro%erly maintaine" to %revent !a@ar"s suc! as gas leaks$ Persons 'it! management or control of 'ork%laces must ensure t!at gas cylin"ers are regularly ins%ecte" y a com%etent %erson$ )!ey s!oul" fre?uently c!eck '!et!er cylin"ers an" regulators are visi ly "amage" or corro"e"( an" '!et!er t!ey are 'it!in test "ate$ Gas %i%es( !oses an" tu ing can easily ecome "amage" over time so t!ese s!oul" also e ins%ecte" regularly$ PP: must e maintaine" to e in goo" 'orking or"er an" ke%t clean an" !ygienic$ Some ty%es of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment !ave a limite" life s%an an" nee" to e re%lace" %erio"ically( '!ile ot!er ty%es of %ersonal %rotective e?ui%ment may ecome "amage" or ineffective if store" incorrectly$ 7or e;am%le( some res%irators an" filters can a sor to;ins an" contaminants in t!e air '!en store" et'een uses$ PP: s!oul" e store" in a clean environment to avoi" contamination or "amage or accor"ing to instructions %rovi"e" y t!e manufacturer$

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. &E!LT& (ONITORING
Fealt! monitoring of a %erson means monitoring t!e %erson to i"entify c!anges in t!eir !ealt! status ecause of e;%osure to certain su stances$ *t involves t!e collection of "ata in or"er to evaluate t!e effects of e;%osure an" to "etermine '!et!er or not t!e a sor e" "ose is 'it!in safe levels$ )!is allo's "ecisions to e ma"e a out im%lementing 'ays to eliminate or minimise t!e 'orker+s risk of e;%osure( for e;am%le reassigning a 'orker to ot!er "uties t!at involve less e;%osure or im%roving control measures$ Re75lation *$. A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure !ealt! monitoring is %rovi"e" to a 'orker carrying out 'ork for t!e usiness or un"ertaking if< t!e 'orker is carrying out ongoing 'ork at a 'ork%lace using( !an"ling( generating or storing !a@ar"ous c!emicals an" t!ere is a significant risk to t!e 'orkerMs !ealt! ecause of e;%osure to a !a@ar"ous c!emical referre" to in Sc!e"ule 13( ta le 13$1 of t!e WFS 9egulationsI or t!e %erson i"entifies t!at ecause of ongoing 'ork carrie" out y a 'orker using( !an"ling( generating or storing !a@ar"ous c!emicals t!ere is a significant risk t!at t!e 'orker 'ill e e;%ose" to a !a@ar"ous c!emical Cot!er t!an a !a@ar"ous c!emical referre" to in Sc!e"ule 13( ta le 13$1D an" eit!er< J vali" tec!ni?ues are availa le to "etect t!e effect on t!e 'orkerMs !ealt!I or J a vali" 'ay of "etermining iological e;%osure to t!e !a@ar"ous c!emical is availa le an" it is uncertain( on reasona le groun"s( '!et!er t!e e;%osure to t!e !a@ar"ous c!emical !as resulte" in t!e iological e;%osure stan"ar" eing e;cee"e"$ Fealt! monitoring( '!ic! may inclu"e iological monitoring( can assist in< esta lis!ing '!et!er an i"entifia le "isease or !ealt! effect kno'n to e linke" to e;%osure to "ust( c!emicals or noise !as occurre" "etermining levels of to;ic su stances in t!e o"y so t!at informe" "ecisions can e ma"e a out t!e effectiveness of control measures an" '!et!er any furt!er action nee"s to e taken Ce$g$ eliminating or minimising e;%osureD$ -iological monitoring is a 'ay of assessing e;%osure to !a@ar"ous c!emicals t!at may !ave een a sor e" t!roug! t!e skin( ingeste" or in!ale"( t!erefore( iological monitoring tec!ni?ues s!oul" also e use"$ 7or e;am%le( 'orkers e;%ose" to lea" may re?uire iological monitoring to measure t!e level of lea" in t!eir loo"$ -iological monitoring !as t!e s%ecific a"vantage of eing a le to take into account in"ivi"ual res%onses to %articular !a@ar"ous c!emicals$ *n"ivi"ual res%onses are influence" y factors inclu"ing si@e( fitness( %ersonal !ygiene( 'ork %ractices( smoking an" nutritional status$ *f !ealt! monitoring is re?uire"( a %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must ensure t!e ty%e of !ealt! monitoring referre" to in t!e WFS 9egulations is %rovi"e"( unless< an e?ual or etter ty%e of !ealt! monitoring is availa le( an" t!e use of t!at ot!er ty%e of monitoring is recommen"e" y a registere" me"ical %ractitioner 'it! e;%erience in !ealt! monitoring$ Fealt! monitoring is not an alternative to im%lementing control measures$ *f t!e results in"icate t!at a 'orker is e;%eriencing a"verse !ealt! effects or signs of e;%osure to a !a@ar"ous c!emical( t!e control measure must e revie'e" an" if necessary revise"$ A %erson con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking must< inform 'orkers an" %ros%ective 'orkers a out !ealt! monitoring re?uirements ensure !ealt! monitoring is carrie" out y or un"er t!e su%ervision of a registere" me"ical %ractitioner 'it! e;%erience in !ealt! monitoring consult 'orkers in relation to t!e selection of t!e registere" me"ical %ractitioner

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%ay all e;%enses relating to !ealt! monitoring %rovi"e certain information a out a 'orker to t!e registere" me"ical %ractitioner take all reasona le ste%s to o tain a re%ort from t!e registere" me"ical %ractitioner as soon as %ractica le after t!e monitoring !as een carrie" out %rovi"e a co%y of t!e re%ort to t!e 'orker an" t!e regulator if t!e re%ort contains a"verse test results or recommen"ations t!at reme"ial measures s!oul" e taken$ Also %rovi"e t!e re%ort to all ot!er %ersons con"ucting a usiness or un"ertaking '!o !ave a "uty to %rovi"e !ealt! monitoring for t!e 'orker kee% re%orts as confi"ential recor"s for at least 30 years after t!e recor" is ma"e C30 years for re%orts relating to as estos e;%osureD( an" not "isclose t!e re%ort to anyone 'it!out t!e 'orker+s 'ritten consent unless re?uire" to un"er t!e WFS 9egulations$

)!e WFS 9egulations contain s%ecific re?uirements relating to !ealt! monitoring for lea"$ *f a 'orker is carrying out lea" risk 'ork( !ealt! monitoring must e %rovi"e" to a 'orker efore t!e 'orker first commences lea" risk 'ork an" 1 mont! after t!e 'orker first commences lea" risk 'ork$ 7urt!er information on !ealt! monitoring can e foun" in t!e Health &onitoring for +.po'ure to Ha)ardou' "hemical' 0 Guide for #er'on' "onducting a 5u'ine'' or 6ndertaking

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APPENDIX A BY-PRODUCTS OF WELDING

)!is a%%en"i; contains information on ty%es of fumes ty%ically release" "uring 'el"ing$ Some of t!ese su stances !ave national e;%osure stan"ar"s$ You s!oul" refer to t!e Workplace +.po'ure Standard' for Air*orne "ontaminant' %u lis!e" on t!e Safe Work Australia 'e site to "etermine if an e;%osure stan"ar" !as een set$ So5rce and &ealt9 Effect of Weldin7 F5mes F5me T3/e
Aluminium

So5rce
Aluminium com%onent of some alloys( e$g$( nickel1c!romium( co%%er( @inc( steel( magnesium( rass an" filler materials$ Far"ening agent foun" in co%%er( magnesium( aluminium alloys an" electrical contacts$ Stainless steel containing ca"mium or %late" materials( @inc alloy$ Eost stainless1steel an" !ig!1 alloy materials( 'el"ing ro"s$ Also use" as %lating material$ Alloys suc! as nickel1co%%er( rass( ron@e$ Also some 'el"ing ro"s$ &ommon electro"e coating an" flu; material for ot! lo'1an" !ig!1alloy steels$ )!e ma,or contaminant in all iron or steel 'el"ing %rocesses$ Sol"er( rass an" ron@e alloys( %rimer=coating on steels$ Eost 'el"ing %rocesses( es%ecially !ig!1tensile steels$ Steel alloys( iron( stainless steel( nickel alloys$ Stainless steel( nickel1c!romium( nickel1co%%er an" ot!er !ig!1alloy materials( 'el"ing ro"s an" %late" steel$ Some steel alloys( iron( stainless steel( nickel alloys$ Galvani@e" an" %ainte" metal$

&ealt9 Effect
9es%iratory irritant$

-eryllium &a"mium A;i"es

NEetal 7ume 7ever$N A carcinogen$ At!er c!ronic effects inclu"e "amage to t!e res%iratory tract$ *rritation of res%iratory system( sore an" "ry t!roat( c!est %ain an" reat!ing "ifficulty$ &!ronic effects inclu"e ki"ney "amage an" em%!ysema$ Sus%ecte" carcinogen$ *ncrease" risk of lung cancer$ Some in"ivi"uals may "evelo% skin irritation$ Some forms are carcinogens C!e;avalent c!romiumD$ Acute effects inclu"e irritation of t!e eyes( nose an" t!roat( nausea an" NEetal 7ume 7ever$N Acute effect is irritation of t!e eyes( nose an" t!roat$ Long1term e;%osures may result in one an" ,oint %ro lems$ &!ronic effects also inclu"e e;cess flui" in t!e lungs$ Si"erosis H a enign form of lung "isease cause" y %articles "e%osite" in t!e lungs$ Acute sym%toms inclu"e irritation of t!e nose an" lungs$ )en"s to clear u% '!en e;%osure sto%s$ &!ronic effects to nervous system( ki"neys( "igestive system an" mental ca%acity$ &an cause lea" %oisoning$ Atoto;ic an" t!erefore risk of !earing loss$ OEetal 7ume 7ever$P &!ronic effects may inclu"e central nervous system %ro lems$ Atoto;ic an" t!erefore risk of !earing loss$ Acute effects are eye( nose an" t!roat irritation( an" s!ortness of reat!$ Acute effect is irritation of t!e eyes( nose an" t!roat$ *ncrease" cancer risk !as een note" in occu%ations ot!er t!an 'el"ing$ Also associate" 'it! "ermatitis an" lung %ro lems$ Acute effect is irritation of t!e eyes( skin an" res%iratory tract$ &!ronic effects inclu"e ronc!itis( retinitis( flui" in t!e lungs an" %neumonia$ Eetal 7ume 7ever$

&!romium &o%%er 7luori"es

*ron A;i"es

Lea"

Eanganese Eoly "enum .ickel

Bana"ium Kinc A;i"es

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So5rce and &ealt9 Effect of Weldin7 Gases Gas T3/e

&ar on Eono;i"e Fy"rogen 7luori"e .itrogen A;i"es A;ygen 6eficiency A@one

So5rce
7orme" in t!e arc$

&ealt9 Effect
A sor e" rea"ily into t!e loo"stream( causing !ea"ac!es( "i@@iness or muscular 'eakness$ Fig! concentrations may result in unconsciousness an" "eat!$ Atoto;ic an" t!erefore risk of !earing loss$ *rritating to t!e eyes an" res%iratory tract$ Avere;%osure can cause lung( ki"ney( one an" liver "amage$ &!ronic e;%osure can result in c!ronic irritation of t!e nose( t!roat an" ronc!i$ :ye( nose an" t!roat irritation in lo' concentrations$ A normal flui" in t!e lung an" ot!er serious effects at !ig!er concentrations$ &!ronic effects inclu"e lung %ro lems suc! as em%!ysema$ 6i@@iness( mental confusion( as%!y;iation an" "eat!$ Acute effects inclu"e flui" in t!e lungs$ Bery lo' concentrations Ce$g$( one %art %er millionD cause !ea"ac!es an" "ryness of t!e eyes$ &!ronic effects inclu"e significant c!anges in lung function$

6ecom%osition of ro" coatings$

7orme" in t!e arc$

P!os%!ine

Wel"ing in confine" s%aces( an" air "is%lacement y s!iel"ing gas$ 7orme" in t!e 'el"ing arc "uring o%en arc 'el"ing %rocesses inclu"ing Eanual Eetal Arc Wel"ing CEEAWD( 7lu; &ore" Arc Wel"ing C7&AWD( es%ecially "uring %lasma1arc( Eetal *nert Gas CE*GD an" )ungsten *nert Gas C)*GD %rocesses$ Eetal coate" 'it! rust in!i itors$ P!os%!ine is forme" y reaction of t!e rust in!i itor 'it! 'el"ing ra"iation$

*rritant to eyes an" res%iratory system( can "amage ki"neys an" ot!er organs$

So5rce and &ealt9 Effect of Or7anic Aa/o5rs as a res5lt of Weldin7 Gas T3/e
Al"e!y"es Csuc! as formal"e!y"eD 6iisocyanates P!osgene

So5rce
Eetal coating 'it! in"ers an" %igments$ 6egreasing solvents Eetal 'it! %olyuret!ane %aint$ Eetal 'it! resi"ual "egreasing solvents$ P!osgene is forme" y reaction of t!e solvent an" 'el"ing ra"iation$

&ealt9 Effect
*rritant to eyes an" res%iratory tract$ :ye( nose an" t!roat irritation$ Fig! %ossi ility of sensiti@ation( %ro"ucing ast!matic or ot!er allergic sym%toms( even at very lo' e;%osures$ Severe irritant to eyes( nose an" res%iratory system$ Sym%toms may e "elaye"$

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