Abstract
This document provides guidance and recommendations for exposure scenarios, risk management measures and to identify operational conditions under which metals, alloys and metallic articles and mixtures may be safely welded regarding welding fumes and gases exposure. It will be made available in all EU languages and Turkish. Considering the emission of fumes when welding, brazing or cutting of metals, it is recommended to arrange risk management measures through applying general information and guidelines provided by this document and using the information from the applicable safety data sheet, issued in accordance with REACH, by the welding consumable manufacturer. According to the welding or allied process and the base material to be welded, a general guidance on technological means is proposed. The REACH use descriptor system, developed by ECHA to facilitate chemical risk assessment and supply chain communication, has been explained and applied.
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Notes
In MIG/MAG process, innovative waveform-controlled processes may generate less welding fumes and particles than conventional processes—the use of such processes can be an additional measure to reduce the exposure of the welder and or workers. Check your equipment supplier for applicable details.
Guidance on information requirements and chemical safety assessment, Chapter R.12: use description, version 3.0 December 2015 (https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/13632/information_requirements_r12_en.pdf).
Previously listed SU3 and SU10 have been removed by ECHA.
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Recommended for publication by Commission VIII - Health, Safety, and Environment
This document has been prepared by the members of EWA (European Welding Association) technical committees. These members are working for different European producers of welding equipment and welding consumables (which are members of EWA). All EWA technical information documents are based on EWA members’ experience and technical knowledge at the time of publication. Such technical information documents provide voluntary guidance and are not binding.
Appendix. Illustration of welding fume extraction systems (optional)
Appendix. Illustration of welding fume extraction systems (optional)
Illustration of welding fume extraction systems is only an example. Compliance, with national country legislation, is needed if different.
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van der Mee, V. Welding exposure scenarios. Weld World 65, 2397–2401 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-021-01182-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40194-021-01182-4