On 14 January,
the HSE.GOV shared with the Industry and Regulatory Forum that they have
raised enforced control measures for welding operations in the UK.
This follows an announcement from the International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC), who classified welding fumes and UV radiation from
welding as Group 1 carcinogens.
The raised enforced control standards are highlighted below:
All forms of welding fume can cause cancer.
Control is required
Indoor welding tasks require the use of LEV. If LEV is unable
to control all of the 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 COSHH Regulation.
Action
required
Make
sure exposure to any welding fume released is adequately controlled
using engineering controls (typically LEV).
Make
sure suitable controls are provided for all welding activities,
irrelevant of duration. This includes welding outdoors.
Where
engineering controls alone cannot control exposure, then adequate and
suitable RPE should be provided to control risk from any residual fume.
Make
sure all engineering controls are correctly used, suitably maintained
and are subject to thorough examination and test where required.
Make
sure any RPE is subject to an RPE programme. An RPE programme
encapsulates all the elements of RPE use you need to ensure that your
RPE is effective in protecting the wearer.
*Premier welding can
help* We have stock ready
to go ensuring all our customers comply with the new guidelines. The industry
is struggling to keep up with demand and this stock wont last long.