Say this
- All welding fume can cause lung cancer, so we control it every time, even on short jobs (UK HSE welding guidance).
- The law requires steps to stop toxic fume building up and to protect you from breathing it. Local exhaust at the source is one of those steps (WSH (General Provisions) Regulations).
- Put the extraction hood close to the arc and move it as you move. A hood a metre away does almost nothing.
- Keep your head out of the plume. Position yourself so the fume rises away from your face.
- If you still see fume escaping, wear the respirator too. For longer jobs, use the powered air helmet. Outdoors, the extraction will not work, so wear the respirator (UK HSE, control the risk).
- Never weld in a tank or confined space without forced ventilation and a permit.
- Workers exposed to fume from metals such as manganese, cadmium or lead need medical checks by a designated workplace doctor (WSH Council metalworking guidelines). Tell me if you have not had yours.
Ask the crew
- Where should the extraction hood be while you weld?
- What do you do if you can still see fume escaping?
- Why does extraction not help outdoors?
- Who needs a medical check for welding fume?
Show them
- How to position the extraction arm or on-torch extraction at the arc.
- The respirators and powered air helmets, and how to fit them.
- The filter change record for the fume extractor.
Sign-off
| Name | Company | Signature |
|---|---|---|
Sources
- Welding: protect your workers, UK HSE.
- Welding: control the risk, UK HSE.
- Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations (copy hosted by NUS), Ministry of Manpower (via NUS).
- WSH Guidelines on Managing Safety and Health for SMEs in the Metalworking Industry, WSH Council.
This is practical guidance, not legal advice. Laws and codes of practice change; always check the current official text and your site's own procedures.
