In compliance with National and State WHS Regulations, conduct a risk assessment to ensure that the welder and people working nearby, are protected from exposure to fume from welding and welding-related processes (including thermal cutting, gouging etc.). The following actions should be considered in the risk assessment:
1. Where practicable, remove the welder from the source of the fume by mechanising or automating the welding process.
2. Arrange the work piece so that the welder's head is not in the plume.
NOTES: (i) Unless welding in the horizontal (PC or 2G), overhead (PD, PE, 4F, 4G) or vertical (PF, PG, 3F, 3G) position, the welder's head is likely to be positioned within the plume, and fume management methods or personal protective equipment (PPE), or a combination of both, may be required. (ii) All welding processes generate fume. The plume may not be visible to the welder or with some processes, the observer.
3. Relying on a light cross-draught in the vicinity of the welder's face to ensure that the fume is either drawn or blown away from the welder's breathing zone can be unreliable. Whilst mechanically assisted ventilation (e.g. a fan) can be utilised, cross draughts sufficient to disperse fume may cause weld quality issues. Other fume management equipment such as fume extractors (e.g. fixed, downdraft or portable) may be required.
4. Utilise personal protective equipment such as respirator masks and air fed helmets (PAPR) if alternative methods of fume control are not reasonably practicable. Care should be taken to ensure that other workers are not exposed to the fume by allowing it to accumulate in areas away from the welding or welding related process.