HSE UPDATE - WELDING ACTIVITIES

25/02/2020
WELDING ACTIVITIES - SAFETY ALERT
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE) RELEASED A SAFETY ALERT FOR THOSE UNDERTAKING WELDING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING MILD STEEL, IN ANY INDUSTRY. IN ORDER TO PROTECT WORKERS, THE HSE IS STRENGTHENING ITS ENFORCEMENT EXPECTATION FOR EXPOSURE CONTROL FOR ALL WELDING FUME INCLUDING MILD AND STAINLESS STEELS, HIGH CHROME STEELS, ARMOUR PLATING AND EXOTIC METALS. 
HSE TO CARRY OUT WELDING FUME INSPECTIONS 
THE HSE’S CURRENT PROGRAMME OF INSPECTIONS WILL REVIEW HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT HSE’S REVISED GUIDANCE TO REMIND THEMSELVES OF THE CHANGES TO CONTROL EXPECTATIONS. 
TO PROTECT YOUR WORKERS’ HEALTH, YOU MUST ENSURE YOU HAVE ADEQUATE CONTROLS IN PLACE TO AVOID OR REDUCE EXPOSURE TO WELDING FUME. EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE USING LOCAL EXHAUST VENTILATION WHERE EFFECTIVE AND PROVIDE SUITABLE RESPIRATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WHERE NECESSARY TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THE METAL FABRICATION INDUSTRY FROM INHALING FUMES. 
THE INSPECTIONS FOLLOW A SAFETY ALERT THAT WAS ISSUED IN FEBRUARY 2019 AFTER NEW EVIDENCE SHOWED EXPOSURE TO MILD STEEL WELDING FUME CAN CAUSE CANCER AND HSE UPDATED GUIDANCE TO REFLECT THIS.