Health & Safety Works are a specialist health and safety consultancy offering a dedicated health and safety advisory service to small and medium sized businesses across Cambridge, East Anglia and London. Our services range from health and safety reviews, audits, risk assessments and advice through to the provision of health and safety training that includes IOSH certified courses.
In January the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shared with the Industry and Regulatory Forum their changes to the Welding control standards including the need for Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV). This change will affect all businesses conducting welding operations in the UK.
This change has occurred following the reclassification of welding fumes to a group one carcinogen. It is now understood that all forms of welding fume can cause cancer.
The following raised control standards will be applied:
Where welding operations are undertaken indoors LEV should be used. If LEV is unable to control fume capture then Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is also required.
RPE will be worn whilst conducting welding operations outdoors.
These raised control standards are effective immediately. They will be enforced under COSHH Regulation 7.
The HSE will be releasing confirmation of these changes, and appropriate information shortly.
In the meantime, as a business, if you conduct any welding operations, it is advised that you review your risk assessments and controls to ensure they meet the new standard.
Further guidance can be found on the BOHS Welding Fume Control Selector Tool - see Breathe Freely website. Alternatively, you can contact a member of the health and safety works family to discuss your specific needs.
Health & Safety Works provide health and safety consultancy, support and training to companies across East Anglia:
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