Laws and Regulations Welding

Lower exposure limits for smoke and fumes from welding and metal cutting

International health organizations recognize the importance of preventing health risks associated with fumes and smoke generated during welding and thermal cutting. In many countries, strict personal exposure regulations and standards such as ISO Limit Values, OSHA PEL and ACGIH TLV are heavily enforced to minimize worker exposure to hazardous metal particulate that can be present in welding fume.

Ventilation and filtration are the primary solutions to mitigate employee welding fume exposure. Welding fume is generated by a thermal process that creates a plume of suspended particles in the ambient air. When the fume plume cools, the particles enter the breathing zone affecting worker exposure. Properly designed capture and filtration systems protect worker´s health and assist in complying with local regulations and standards. 

Find further information in our Knowledge Center post on "Health and safety hazards associated with welding".