Welding fumes are a mixture of metallic oxides, silicates, and fluorides. Fumes are formed when a metal is heated above its boiling point and its vapors condense into very fine, particles (solid particulates). These very fine particles are so small that they go deep into the lungs and travel through the bloodstream to other organs. Welding fumes generally contain particles from the electrode and the material being welded, including paint or any other coating on the metal.

Prolonged exposure to welding fume may cause:

• Lung damage
• Various types of cancer, including lung, larynx, liver, and urinary tract
  

Health effects from fumes may include:

• Metal fume fever
• Stomach ulcers
• Kidney damage
• Nervous system damage
  

Prolonged exposure to manganese fume can cause Parkinson’s–like symptoms. Exposure to fluorides may result in bone and joint problems. Chronic effects also include excess fluid in the lungs.

Welding outdoors or in open work spaces does not guarantee adequate ventilation. OSHA recommends that local exhaust ventilation systems should be used to remove fume and gases from the welder’s breathing zone. Keep fume hoods, fume extractor guns, and vacuum nozzles close to the plume source to remove the maximum amount of fume and gases. Portable or flexible exhaust systems should be positioned so that fumes and gases are drawn away from the welder. Keep exhaust ports away from other workers.

Every year, thousands of injuries and fatalities result from contact with heavy equipment. This type of hazard is known as a struck-by hazard and exists when a worker can be potentially hit or struck by an object. If strict vehicular safety practices are not followed at a job site, workers run the risk of being crushed between a fixed object such as a building or being caught in the swing radius of a crane or backhoe.

Here are some work practices that will help ensure your safety when working around heavy equipment:

• Make sure the equipment operator is experienced with the equipment that they are operating. Operators who are unfamiliar with the equipment that they are operating will be highly distracted and less likely to notice you in the area.
• Always install, use, and maintain vehicle back-up alarms. Vehicle back-up alarms must be detectable above the ambient jobsite noise. Be aware that some alarms are mounted at the rear of a vehicle, and the sound may be blocked when the truck bed is raised or the alarm is obstructed by equipment parts.
• Station one or more flaggers behind vehicles that have obstructed rear views. Never position yourself between moving and fixed objects.
• Keep non-essential workers and all unauthorized personnel away from vehicle use areas. Use barricade material, such as brightly colored snow fencing or flagged rope, so the zone perimeter is highly visible.
• Always wear bright, highly visible clothing when working near equipment and vehicles. Keep your high-vis clothing clean so the color stays bright and always zip or button the front of the vest for more coverage area.
  

Batteries contain acid and can explode and/ or catch on fire. When a battery explodes, acid and explosive gases are released. When acid contacts the skin, extremely painful burns result. Blindness will likely result if this acid contacts the eyes.

Charging batteries may be hazardous, especially when connecting the battery charger to the battery.

Connecting the wrong polarity (red/+ to black/-) may cause a short-circuit which could result in explosion of the battery.

Connect red/+ to red/+ and black/- to black/- and always follow manufacturer’s operating instructions for charging.

• Ensure the battery charging unit is de-energized before making your connections.
• Once the connections are made, turn on the charging unit.
  

When batteries are being charged, small amounts of hydrogen are produced. Heat
and sparks can ignite this gas causing a fire or explosion. All smoking, open flames,
and spark-producing items such as grinders, welders, or other electrical equipment,
should be kept well clear of batteries. Surface leakage is a condition caused
when dust mixes with spilled electrolyte on the battery, creating a low resistance path that can cause the battery to “short” and potentially cause a fire.