The Dangers Of Welding Structural Steel - Powertech Pollution Controls

If you’re in the steel welding industry, you should be concerned about the dangers associated with the processes involved. Whether it is the welder, or anyone else who works within the premises where the welding process takes place, each one can be affected by the hazardous gases produced when the metal is welded. The harmful gases can be produced directly from the structural steel, and also by chemical reactions from the air.

welding fume extractor

Structural steel – The pros and cons

Structural steel is a low-carbon, non-alloyed or low-alloyed steel that is not heat-treated, or only partially treated. This type of steel is used in construction, bridge building, mechanical engineering, ship building, and other such constructional industries. The reason behind such wide usage of structural steel is its mechanical strength, toughness, durability, and affordability. However, despite all these benefits, one must be careful while working with the metal because the side-effects of welding such a metal remain quite detrimental. Whether the steel is welded, heated, or melted, it is sure to produce and release hazardous substances and fumes into the air.

How does structural steel welding prove to be harmful?

The two main components of structural steel that can prove to be harmful are iron and manganese. The iron contained in structural steel is the most dangerous. The iron oxides produced as a result of welding are extremely harmful to the lungs. Even though they do not have a toxic or carcinogenic effect, the intake of high concentrations of iron oxide, over a long period of time, can lead to a build-up of dust in the lungs. This deposit, known as iron dust lung or pulmonary siderosis, can lead to persistent breathlessness, obstinate coughing, and decreased lung function. Fibrogenic lung reactions can cause the lung tissues to harden, which results in the restriction of the functioning of the lungs, which can be accompanied by chronic inflammation of the lung connective tissue, leading to affecting the fine walls of the alveoli. Next, the manganese contained in structural steel results in manganese oxides from the welding processes, which if inhaled in high concentrations, can irritate the respiratory tract and lead to pneumonia. Chronic exposure to these oxides can also damage the entire nervous system of the body!

How different welding types can affect the lungs

Structural steel can be welded in a variety of ways. Depending upon the welding process used, the composition of welding fumes changes, and thus also the type and quantity of hazardous substances. Nevertheless, each type of welding is certainly harmful for the body.

Gas welding of structural steel can result in nitrous gases, which then reacts with the atmospheric oxygen to form nitrous oxides, which can cause poisoning and lung damage.

Metal active gas welding produces both iron oxide and carbon monoxide, the latter displacing the oxygen in the blood when inhaled, which deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen. This can result in suffocation and loss of consciousness almost immediately.

Electric arc welding with stick electrodes results in hazardous substances in the form of particulates, which mainly contain iron oxide, again resulting in iron dust lung or pulmonary siderosis.

What’s the ideal solution?

No matter which process is used for welding structural steel, the capture of hazardous substances by means of effective extraction technology is absolutely essential. One of the best solutions to opt for is Powertech Pollution Controls’ trademarked “Fumekiller”. This welding fume extractor is manufactured using quality raw material, available in a wide range of suction capacities. However, the fume extractor can also be customized as per your requirements. Any extractor manufactured with Powertech Pollution Controls’ is as per the accepted quality standards. Working on the principle of electrostatic filtration, the extractor system captures and controls all types of welding fumes generated from TIG/MIG welding, arc welding, plasma welding, soldering, and dip tinning. The extractor is fitted with self-balanced extractor arms of various lengths for added flexibility in capture of welding fumes from generating sources. Extraction done by using the suction assures good health and safety of human resources by removing welding smoke from the premises.

https://www.powertechpollutioncontrols.com/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Welding Challenges In Shipbuilding: Overcoming The Extremes

Image
Shipbuilding, which involves building ships, yachts and cruise ships, is a complicated and demanding sector that calls for accurate and trustworthy welding techniques. This industry faces special welding challenges that are difficult to handle without the use of strong welding systems and competent welders. Let’s bring to the limelight some of the most common challenges faced. Limited space and unlimited welding positions The little area provided for welding operations is one of the main problems in shipbuilding. Welders frequently work in intricate, tightly-packed ship structures that offer little room for movement. A ship's interior frequently has cramped quarters, especially at the bow where ceiling heights can be as low as 40 centimetres. To access and weld crucial regions, welders may need to operate in awkward postures, such as kneeling or lying down. They may also need to employ a mix of vertical, horizontal, and angled welding procedures when working on building ships. Due
Read more

5 Facts About Fume Extraction Arms You Must Know

Image
To ensure the safety of machine workers, fume extraction systems are installed to capture and regulate welding fumes, smoke, and other airborne contaminants. To prevent overexposure to the smoke and fumes produced during welding and other machining processes, fume extractors are available in a variety of configurations, and are also provided with additional fume extraction arms. Fume extraction arms are designed for collecting the smoke and fumes that are directly above the welding arc. An exhaust hood and blower are used in this kind of source capture system to extract and draw contaminated air into a controlled filtering system, where it is cleansed and either expelled outside, away from the factory, or back into the facility. Fume arms, a form of source capture device, are extremely efficient at reducing welding fumes and other air contaminants while consuming less energy. Fume extraction arms are a great option for a variety of applications since they are simple to mount to ceiling
Read more

Welding Fumes And The Associated Hazards

Image
When metals are heated and melted, welding processes produce welding fumes, a mixture of gases, vapours, and particulate matter that includes microscopic solid particles like metal oxides and welding flux as well as gases like nitrogen oxides, ozone, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds. Welders and others working nearby run the danger of health problems from inhaling these welding fumes. Without proper protection, prolonged welding fume exposure can cause a number of health concerns, such as respiratory troubles, eye and skin irritation, lung damage, cancer, neurological disorders, and metal fume fever. We’ll talk about each one of them in detail in the blog below. Respiratory problems The respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs, might get irritated as a result of welding fume inhalation. Short-term exposure might result in symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and breathing problems. But, chronic respiratory illnesses including bronchitis, asthma, or occupat
Read more