Ventilation - An Important Aspect Of Welding Safety - Without proper ventilation, the fumes produced in a welding operation can be hazardous to the welder or workers in the near vicinity. Reducing the exposure to fumes through an effective local exhaust or area ventilation system is the first line of defense in preventing discomfort or illnesses from toxic welding fumes. Respirators are another means of reducing exposure. This personal protective equipment should be considered a temporary process until more appropriate measures to control the exposure are in place. However, when the level of the exposure cannot be entirely eliminated by an exhaust ventilation...

Ventilation Work activity or the presence of harmful substances in industrial environments frequently produces airborne contaminants. These contaminants can be controlled by isolating them from the breathing zone, substitution of a less hazardous substance or process, or by providing adequate ventilation. Ventilation is one of the most common engineering control methods and can be defined as the movement of fresh air into a space in order to replace contaminated air and/or control the temperature in a space. Natural ventilation usually does not provide a sufficient volume of airflow to ventilate enclosed spaces or to promptly remove highly toxic airborne contaminants from breathing...

CONFINED SPACES A confined space has limited means for entry/exit and can include a space that has an open top The atmosphere inside a confined space can be very different from the outside atmosphere Deadly gases may be trapped inside the space The space may lack enough oxygen to support life The space may trap excess oxygen to promote an explosion if an ignition source is introduced Never trust your senses to determine if a space is safe Always check with your supervisor before entering any space Never enter a confined space to help a downed worker...

Diesel Exhaust What is Diesel Exhaust? The diesel engines in automobiles, buses, and trucks produce exhaust from the combustion of diesel fuel. Diesel exhaust is made up of harmful chemicals including very small toxic particles and hazardous gases. Some of the hazardous gases in diesel exhaust (e.g. nitrogen oxides, benzene, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde) have been found to possibly cause cancer. Health Hazards of Diesel Exhaust Breathing diesel exhaust is the most common method of exposure. As we breathe, the fine particles and toxic gases in diesel exhaust can enter into the lungs. Being exposed to diesel exhaust for short periods of time may...

The Silent Dangers of Confined Space Workers tend to put their faith in most indoor or confined atmospheres, thinking someone else has checked for safety.  Air, whether life sustaining or killing, is usually colorless, odorless, and tasteless.  The atmosphere in a confined space, for example, may seem like any other.  But that is one work place that must never be taken for granted.  Confined spaces have fooled scores of workers killed or injured every year because they thought someone had checked for safety or because they “followed their noses” and guessed the air smelled OK.  The air may look safe and...