Amid ever-stringent guidelines on managing exposure to hazardous substances at work, global testing, inspection and certification expert Bureau Veritas is encouraging manufacturers to ‘work smarter’ on limiting the risks that welding fumes pose to employee health.

Over-exposure to welding fumes and gases can damage the lungs, the respiratory tract, the central nervous system and lead to a number of serious diseases including asthma, pneumonia and lung cancer.
In the UK alone, it is estimated that welding causes in excess of 150 deaths due to cancer every year, while around 40 to 50 welders are hospitalised annually with pneumonia due to inhaling metal fumes. What’s more, given the recent introduction of EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits guidance by the HSE2 (setting out new and revised workplace exposure limits (WELs) for 31 chemical substances), Bureau Veritas says it has never been more important for manufacturers to ensure they have the right occupational hygiene programme in place.
For further information www.bureauveritas.co.uk