IOSH are urging employers to protect their workers from cancer-causing fumes created during the welding process as raised control standards take effect. It follows an announcement by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) who have now classified welding fumes and UV radiation from welding as Group 1 Carsinogens.
The raised standards state that ‘all forms of welding fumes can cause cancer’, ‘Control is required where indoor welding tasks require the use of LEV. If LEV is unable to control fume capture then Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is also required. Outdoor welding requires use of RPE.
Enforcement of the raised control standards is with immediate effect under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulation 7.
Extracts taken from a detailed article that can be found at the IOSH website:
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