Welding Resources Centre

Welding Fume Control - Minimising Fume Exposure

When it comes to welding fume, all efforts should be made to mitigate the risks where possible. While the highest levels of controls - elimination and substitution - within the ‘hierarchy of controls’ give the highest level of control and reliability in many industries, they are often not practicable or possible when it comes to the welding industry. Even when you can mitigate risk, if there is welding to be done, there will be some amount of welding fume. Welding fume is inherent in the process of welding. As a result, we see that in the welding industry, the higher levels of control can often only mitigate the risks associated with welding fume, making the lower levels of control, such as product controls, essential parts of the control strategy. This video looks at the risks posed by welding fumes and the various control methods that can be used to minimise exposure.