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Welding Rods and Welding Rod Fumes
Information about Welding Rod Fumes
Health Risks from Welding Rod Fumes
What effects could Welding Rod Fumes have on my health?
Treatment after exposure to Welding Rod Fumes
What Medical Treatment will I need if I am exposed to Welding Rod Fumes?
Prevention of Injuries caused by Welding Rod Fumes in the Workplace
Injuries caused by Welding Rod Fumes can be prevented
Welding Rod Fumes Compensation Claim Advice
How to start a compensation Claim if you have been harmed by Welding Rod Fumes
Welding is the process of joining metals at points using heat. The heat required comes from a variety of energy sources including a gas flame or an electric arc. The fumes which are emitted during this process present real risks to the health of workers.
Welders are obviously at risk from the fumes which come from welding rods but so are steel and metal workers, pipe fitters, electrical workers and railway maintenance workers.
If you are harmed by Welding Rod Fumes at work, you may be able to make a Welding Rod Fumes Compensation Claim.
The harmful fumes and particle emissions produced by welding rods may cause various illnesses and injuries, particularly if a worker is exposed over a long period of time. The type of danger presented by welding rod fumes will depend on the welding process, the types of metals involved, the coverings on the metal (e.g. lead paint may cause lead poisoning) and the quality of ventilation. Ventilation is particularly important because without proper ventilation welding can have lethal effects.
Welding fumes can harm the body’s systems in several ways. The most significant effect is on the respiratory system.
Some of the most common injuries which may occur as a result of exposure to welding rod fumes are:
• Chronic bronchitis – this is frequently contracted after a person has worked in an enclosed space without suitable ventilation, such as a ship’s hold for example.
• Occupational asthma - this can occur if stainless steel is being welded because chromium and nickel fumes are harmful enough to cause asthma. Further, a substance called rosin (or colophony) can also cause occupational asthma. Rosins are resins which come naturally from pine trees and are often used for solder flux, particularly in the electronics industry. Toxic chemicals come from the fume when it is used and they can lead to problems with the upper respiratory tract. This can sensitise the exposed worker so that further exposure (even at low levels) may lead to asthma attacks and other breathing problems. These effects can be permanent.
• Metal Fume Fever – some metals will produce chemicals like zinc oxide or magnesium oxide and they may produce a flu-like illness with symptoms including fever, chills, nausea, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pains. This is thought to result from an immune reaction and it usually resolves within a short period of time.
• Welders siderosis (or Welder’s Lung) – this occurs when iron particles find their way into the lungs. When welding carbon steels, small particles of iron oxide can find their way into the lungs and lead to a benign pneumoconiosis (an occupational lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust) called siderosis.
• Manganism - Carbon steel contains significant amounts of manganese and this can cause manganese poisoning. Symptoms can resemble Parkinson’s disease and include tremors, shakes, loss of balance, slowed movement, walking problems, impotency, slurred speech, extreme drowsiness or night time leg cramps.
It is also possible that long-term exposure to these toxic fumes might increase the risk of lung cancer.
If you are harmed by Welding Rod Fumes at work, you may be able to make a Welding Rod Fumes Compensation Claim.
Symptomatic treatments are provided for bronchitis and asthma.
Metal fume fever treatment involves providing medicine for the symptoms.
If you are harmed by Welding Rod Fumes at work, you may be able to make a Welding Rod Fumes Compensation Claim.
There are detailed regulations in place which are designed to protect all workers from exposure to chemicals and other substances in the workplace and these are called “The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988” or COSHH for short.
COSHH requires employers to make risk assessment of potential dangers. This means that employers should introduce measures to ensure that exposure to dangerous fumes is controlled. This may include providing appropriate ventilation and protective equipment (gloves, respiratory equipment, goggles, apron etc). Special precautions are required if the work is in a confined space. Employers should also monitor workers’ exposure and provide appropriate training. Practical measures, like stripping painted surfaces before welding to prevent exposure to lead, might also be taken.
If you are harmed by Welding Rod Fumes at work, you may be able to make a Welding Rod Fumes Compensation Claim.
If a person believes they have been exposed to a hazardous substance at work which has caused them to develop an illness, then they may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim. So, if you or someone you know has developed a welding-related illness or your / their working conditions have made an existing condition worse, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.