Environmental Health and Safety

Ventilation
The primary control for welding/cutting fumes and toxic gases is appropriate ventilation. Adequate ventilation is when
airflow is sufficient to control worker exposure to hazardous welding fumes and gases and exposure limits are not
exceeded. OSHA Permissible Exposure Limits (PEL) and ACGIH Threshold Limit Values (TLV) are specific to the
metals/gases being used in the welding application. Ventilation selection depends upon:

workspace volume
workspace configuration
number of welders
welding process and current
consumables used (mild steel, hardfacing, stainless, etc.)
allowable levels (TLV, PEL, etc.)
material welded (including paint or plating)
natural airflow

Natural Ventilation
Natural ventilation is the movement of air through the workspace caused by natural forces. Outside, this is usually the
wind. Inside, this may be the flow of air through open windows and doors.

According to OSHA regulations, when welding and cutting mild steels, natural ventilation is usually considered
sufficient to advoid exposure provided that:

1. The room or welding area contains at least 10,000 cubic feet (about 22' x 22' x 22') for each welder.
2. The ceiling height is not less than 16 feet.
3. Cross ventilation is not blocked by partitions, equipment, or other structural barriers. Note: When welding must be
performed in a space entirely screened on all sides, the screens shall be so arranged that no serious restriction of
ventilation exists. Screens should be mounted so that they are about 2 feet above the floor (unless work is
performed at a low level and the screen must extend to the floor to protect nearby workers from welding glare.
4. Welding is not done in a confined space.

Spaces that do not meet these requirements should be equipped with mechanical ventilating equipment that exhausts
at least 2,000 cfm of air for each welder, except where local exhaust hoods or booths, or air-line respirators are used.

Mechanical Ventilation
Mechanical ventilation is the movement of air through the workspace caused by an electrical device, such as a
portable fan or permanently mounted fan in the ceiling or wall. The minimum flow rate shall be 2,000 cfm per welder,
except where local exhaust hoods and booths or airline respirators are provided and used. According to OSHA 29
CFR 1910.252(c), the following spaces require mechanical ventilation:

In a space of less than 10,000 cubic feet (about 22' x 22' x 22') per welder.
In a room having a ceiling height of less than 16 feet.
In confined spaces, or where the welding space contains partitions, balconies, or other structural barriers to the
extent that they significantly obstruct cross ventilation.

Local Exhaust Ventilation

Source extraction, or local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is a mechanical device used to capture welding fumes at or near
the arc and filters contaminants out of the air. LEV is the most effective means of removing contaminants from the
welder's breathing zone. LEV devices must be capable of maintaining a velocity of 100 fpm toward the air intake.

Welding Zone Cubic Feet/ Diameter,

Minutes inches (2)

4-6 in. from arc or torch 150 3

6-8 in. from arc or torch 275 3 1/2
8-10 in. from arc or torch 425 4 1/2
10-12 in. from arc or torch 600 5 1/2

Footnote (1) When brazing with cadmium-bearing materials or when cutting on such materials, increased rates of ventilation may be required.

Footnote (2) Nearest half-inch duct diameter based on 4,000 fpm velocity in pipe.

OSHA requires this type of ventilation (or supplied air respiratory protection) when welding/cutting in a confined
space involving the following substances:

Fluorine compounds (typically in fluxes and rod coatings)

 Zinc (zinc-bearing base or filler materials or metals coated with zinc-bearing materials)
Lead (lead-base metals or metals coated with lead-bearing materials such as paint)
Beryllium (beryllium-containing base or filler metals)
Cadmium (cadmium-bearing or cadmium-coated base metals)
Mercury (metals coated with mercury-bearing materials, including paint)
Cleaning compounds (possible toxicity or flammability hazard)
Degreasing (chlorinated hydrocarbons)
Stainless steels (oxygen cutting using either a chemical flux or iron powder or gas-shielded arc cutting)

For assistance with selection of proper ventilation methods, contact EHSS at 231-5985.