Abstract
Assessing exposure to particulate emissions during arc welding is an important consideration in assuring compliance with regulatory requirements. This study examined welding emissions during argon-shielded GMAW (MIG welding) processes involving aluminum alloys in a shipbuilding environment using traditional methods of air sampling (portable pumps and closed-face cassettes containing PVC filters.) Current requirements for exposure determination (inhalable, respirable and total particulates) necessitate three simultaneous samples, a very onerous imposition on worker safety and comfort. Application of a conversion factor published in the literature can considerably simplify this situation through use of a single sampler, the conventional closed face cassette. This approach provides a first-level means of evaluation and is especially useful where exposure levels are low compared to regulatory Exposure Limits. Assessment of exposure to chromium, magnesium and manganese may require additional consideration because of the necessity for simultaneous evaluation against TLVs for inhalable and respirable particulates and different oxidation states. Results strongly suggest that beryllium and/or chromium VI and possibly manganese dominate consideration about exposure and control measures (Critical Particulate Contaminant). This results from the difficulty of analysis created by the combination of extremely small Exposure Limits, presence of these elements in the alloy in trace to very small quantities and uncertainty associated with detectability in standard air samples. Resolving this question requires collection and analysis of bulk quantities of welding fume to improve the mathematics associated with detectability. Determination of the Critical Particulate Contaminant considerably simplifies future evaluation and focuses follow-up action in the appropriate direction.
Highlights
1.1 Arc Welding on Aluminum AlloysFabrication of structures from aluminum alloys involving gas-shielded, arc welding and associated metalworking activities in a shipbuilding environment is a complex undertaking
Unusual fatigue (McManus & Haddad, 2015b) reported by welders performing argon-shielded GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding known as Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding) prompted the investigation partly reported in this article
The structures fabricated in this shipyard necessitated welding in different orientations, downward onto lower horizontal surfaces, upward and downward and side to side on vertical surfaces, and upward and side to side on horizontal overhead surfaces
Summary
1.1 Arc Welding on Aluminum AlloysFabrication of structures from aluminum alloys involving gas-shielded, arc welding and associated metalworking activities in a shipbuilding environment is a complex undertaking. Unusual fatigue (McManus & Haddad, 2015b) reported by welders performing argon-shielded GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding known as Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding) prompted the investigation partly reported in this article. This fatigue did not affect welders working on carbon steel in the same shipyard. These articles reported on ultra-violet emissions (McManus & Haddad, 2013); use of methanol as a coolant/lubricant during milling (McManus & Haddad, 2014); oxygen levels during arc welding (McManus & Haddad, 2015a); argon-related fatigue
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.