An Analysis of Welding Fume and Grinding Particulate Exposures at Company XYZ

Plan BAn indoor air quality study at a metal manufacturing facility was conducted to determine employee exposure to airborne welding/cutting fumes and grinding particulates. A literature review revealed that research into “hot work” processes has been limited because computerized numerical control (CNC) plasma tables are relatively new to the industry, even though there are numerous published studies into welding fume and particulate exposure. Facility air samples near the grinding work area and the CNC water plasma table area were collected. A filter cassette was placed within the employee’s welding helmet to gather data on fume and particulates. This data was analyzed by the Wisconsin Occupational Health Laboratory for specific metals and compounds. The results yielded metal scans of aluminum, arsenic, chromium, copper fume, iron oxide, lead, magnesium oxide, manganese fume, nickel, and zinc oxide. The levels of these metal scans at Company XYZ were compared to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit (REL), and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value (TLV) levels. Company XYZ was found to have iron oxide levels, which were above American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines, although within acceptable OSHA PEL’s. Company XYZ stated a desire to reach levels below ACGIH and NIOSH guidelines and therefore applicable risk reductions recommendations were provided by the author of this study