The intensity of day to day hazards encountered by welding operators can be increased when their operation is carried out in a confined environment.
Confined spaces where welding operation takes place can be small and usually challenging to enter and exit. The enclosed structure of confined welding spaces with poor entry and exit points provide a platform for air contamination by poisonous gases. The lack of quality breathable air in confined spaces is one of the most common reasons why operators sustain injuries and also accounts for several deaths.
Gases produced from welding such as argon, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium can build up and displace oxygen in a confined space. Hydrogen fluoride, lead and zinc are also dangerous gases produced from welding processes.
Fuel tanks, water tanks, silos, underground drainage pipes, manholes, storage bins, ship compartments, vats, boilers and vessels are common confined areas where welding activities take place. Welding in these spaces can be extremely dangerous. The possibility of igniting fuel vapours and the danger of suffocation from fumes are common hazards.
The level of danger is even greater when flammable gas and vapours collect in confined spaces. These may ignite when welding takes place, leading to an explosion.
Health Hazards of Welding Fumes
Welding fumes are capable of inflicting serious health problems on welding operators when they are inhaled or comes in contact with the skin. The health hazards associated with welding fumes exposure can be classified into short-term and long-term health hazards.
Short-term health hazards of welding fumes exposure include, asphyxia, eye, nose, throat and skin irritation, nausea, confusion, dizziness and coughing.
Long-term hazards of welding fumes exposure include severe brain damage, cancer of the lung, liver, kidney, urinary bladder, and prostate gland. Infertility, COPD, Emphysema and Atelectasis are also severe long-term health hazards of welding fumes exposure.
Risks of Welding in Confined Spaces
The welding operator can suffer any of the following hazards when working in confined spaces. The intensity of the risk is promoted by poor entry and exit points as well as the displacement of oxygen by fumes and gases. The risks include,
- Inhalation of poisonous gases.
- Falls/Entrapments.
- Electrical Shocks/burns.
- Ultraviolet radiation/burns.
- Fire outbreak/Explosion.
Envirox Solutions for Welding Fume Extraction in Confined Spaces
N-Series Portable Fan
The N-series Portable Fan is a simple and powerful fan that is ideal for welding fume extraction and other dust from confined work spaces. It is developed to guarantee the availability of good quality breathable air in enclosed spaces so as to safeguard workers from the dangers of welding fumes, steam and dust.
N16 Portable Fan from Envirox is a compact, flexible and easy to use fan that comes with a hose and nozzle kit for efficient extraction of fumes, steam and dust for assured clean air. The fan can be connected to both inlet and outlet connections, which makes it a highly versatile and flexible unit for application in a wide range of areas.
Contact Envirox today for an obligation free assessment of your needs.
Visit us: 313 Boundary Road, North Riding, Randburg, 2040 South Africa.
Call us: +27 11 397 5426
Send a mail: [email protected]