Pay attention to welder pneumoconiosis and fight for breathing

Welder's pneumoconiosis results from long-term inhalation of large amounts of welding fumes. The formation of this kind of smoke is due to the melting and evaporation of the welding flux, the electrode core and the welded material at high temperatures, and then oxidizes and condenses in the air to form extremely fine particle aerosols.

Therefore, welder's pneumoconiosis is classified as mixed pneumoconiosis, which is a common occupational disease. For welders, a variety of diseases may creep in if they are not properly protected.

1. The main culprit of welder pneumoconiosis - welding fume

Welding fume is a mixed gas, steam and aerosol produced during welding operations. Among them, particles with a diameter less than 0.1 μm are called smoke, while particles with a diameter between 0.1-10 μm are called dust. For our health, we must attach great importance to protection to ensure that smoke and dust are not inhaled.

2. Six major measures to protect life, prevention is crucial

1. Strengthen publicity, education and implementation of dust prevention work

Since there is currently no drug that can reverse pneumoconiosis lesions, prevention is particularly critical. Every welder should enhance safety awareness, learn safety knowledge in depth, and hold corresponding qualification certificates to work. Both welding workers and employers should be fully aware of the hazards of welding smoke and take various measures to reduce the concentration of smoke and dust in the working environment and reduce the risk of exposure.

2. Optimize welding processes and materials

Reform the process, promote automatic welding, reduce closed structure construction, and improve welding operating conditions. At the same time, choose non-toxic or low-toxic welding rods to improve the mechanization and automation of welding and reduce the generation of smoke and dust from the source.

3. Improve ventilation and dust removal conditions in the workplace

There are two ventilation methods: natural exhaust and mechanical exhaust, among which mechanical exhaust has a better effect. For places with poor natural ventilation, especially when welding in closed or semi-closed structures, mechanical exhaust measures must be taken to effectively reduce the concentration of welding fume in the welding place.

4. Strengthen personal protection

Strengthening personal protection is the key to preventing the hazards of toxic gases and dust generated during welding. Welding workers must use protective equipment such as dust masks, welding protective clothing, heat-proof insulating gloves, and dust masks that comply with occupational health standards. When welding in a tank, you should also wear an air supply mask and an air supply helmet. No matter how hot the work environment or for convenience, personal protection should never be overlooked.

5. Conduct regular occupational health examinations

Employers should strengthen the occupational health monitoring and management of welding workers. Regularly conduct inspections and evaluations of dust hazards in welding workplaces, and conduct occupational health examinations for welding workers during their jobs. Once workers are found to have occupational contraindications or have been injured by electric welding operations, their work positions should be adjusted in a timely manner and properly handled.

6. Deepen dust prevention work and strengthen pneumoconiosis prevention and management

Welding workers and employers should be deeply aware of the hazards of welding smoke, and take comprehensive measures to reduce the concentration of smoke and dust in the working environment and reduce the risk of exposure. Only in this way can we jointly protect the life and health of every welder.