Hazards and Solutions

Health hazards from welding, cutting, and brazing operations include exposures to metal fumes and to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Safety hazards from these operations include burns, eye damage, electrical shock, cuts, and crushed toes and fingers. Many of these can be controlled with proper work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE). The following links provide information about potential hazards and possible solutions associated with these operations.

Potential Hazards and Possible Solutions

• Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Hexavalent Chromium Standards. OSHA Publication 3320, (2006).
• Hexavalent Chromium. OSHA Safety and Health Topics Page.
• Eye Protection against Radiant Energy during Welding and Cutting in Shipyard Employment. OSHA Fact Sheet, (January 2012). Discusses protection from radiant energy and the requirements for workers to use personal protective equipment.
• Controlling Hazardous Fume and Gases during Welding. OSHA Fact Sheet (Publication 3647), (2013).
• Arc Welding Safety (PDF). National Ag Safety Database (NASD), (May 1989). Provides suggestions and guidelines to minimize a number of hazards involving the electric arc welder.
• For additional information on general safety and health concerns, see OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Pages on:
  • Confined Spaces
  • Fire Safety
  • Hazard Communication
  • Occupational Noise Exposure
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Evaluation

• Chemicals. OSHA. Lists chemicals commonly associated with welding, cutting, and brazing
• OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). OSHA Directive TED 01-00-015 [TED 1-0.15A], (February 11, 2014).
  • Personal Sampling for Air Contaminants. Includes a section on sampling for welding fumes.
• NIOSH Update: NIOSH Strategic Research on Welding Identifies Data Needs, Advances Studies. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), (August 20, 2003).
• For additional information, see OSHA's Sampling and Analysis Safety and Health Topics Page.