The health of workers in many industries is at risk through exposure by inhalation to airborne particles generated by welding and allied processes (welding fumes) and other airborne particles generated by welding-related operations, such as grinding. Industrial hygienists and other public health professionals need to determine the effectiveness of measures taken to control workers’ exposure to these harmful substances and this is generally achieved by making personal exposure measurements.

This document is intended to be of benefit to agencies concerned with health and safety at work, industrial hygienists and other public health professionals, industrial users of welding and allied processes and their workers, and analytical laboratories.
It has been assumed in the drafting of this document that the execution of its provisions, and the interpretation of the results obtained, is entrusted to appropriately qualified and experienced people.

1 Scope

This document specifies a procedure for sampling airborne particles in the breathing zone of a person who performs welding and allied processes (the operator). It also provides details of relevant standards that specify required characteristics, performance requirements and test methods for workplace air measurement, and augments guidance provided in EN 689 on assessment strategy and measurement strategy.

This document also specifies a procedure for making gravimetric measurements of personal exposure to airborne particles generated by welding and allied processes (welding fumes) and other airborne particles generated by welding-related operations.

Additionally, it provides references to suitable methods of chemical analysis specified in other standards to determine personal exposure to specific chemical agents present in welding fumes and other airborne particles generated by welding-related operations.