Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
Improving Global Quality of Life
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6 Needs and challenges in health, safety, education, training, qualification and certification<br />
6.2 Health, safety and environmental aspects<br />
The health, safety and environment aspects associated with welding and other joining processes can be<br />
classified as follows:<br />
Physical aspects, such as risk <strong>of</strong> fire, radiation, heat, noise, electrical dangers, work environment<br />
conditions, etc.<br />
Chemical aspects, i.e. gases and particulate matters (fume) produced during welding and other<br />
hazardous chemicals and substances used during all phases <strong>of</strong> the fabrication process.<br />
Environmental aspects, such as disposal <strong>of</strong> waste (slags, packaging materials, etc.), natural resources<br />
depletion due to ineffective use and contamination <strong>of</strong> air, land and water.<br />
Lack <strong>of</strong> skill and knowledge <strong>of</strong> what action is required to protect health and safety is among the most basic<br />
<strong>of</strong> these barriers. Others include cultural, political and economic pressures which may dilute the strength<br />
<strong>of</strong> well-founded scientific conclusions as national exposure standards are set and health and safety laws are<br />
framed by government agencies. When it comes to implementation, in some countries the self-interest <strong>of</strong><br />
employers and governmental indifference can, from time to time, appear to blind all parties to risks <strong>of</strong> injury,<br />
illness or even death and obstruct the reduction <strong>of</strong> their incidence.<br />
The IIW seeks to provide a forum which is recognised internationally and throughout the welding and joining<br />
industry as a place where a cross-section <strong>of</strong> well-informed people from that industry and associated academic<br />
establishments can meet, free <strong>of</strong> special interest pressures, to share their knowledge and experience. This<br />
is done mainly through IIW Working Units dealing with the matters <strong>of</strong> health, safety and environment, where<br />
members are asked to consider new technological developments, to debate the validity and conclusions <strong>of</strong><br />
scientific reports on health and safety risks on these and established processes, to seek a consensus view<br />
and to advise everyone in the industry on their best assessment <strong>of</strong> levels <strong>of</strong> risk and how these might be<br />
managed most effectively and efficiently.<br />
While there is still much to be done to achieve the ideal mix <strong>of</strong> skills in the membership, Commission VIII<br />
already <strong>of</strong>fers an opportunity for fair, free, well-informed and balanced debate and can provide a source <strong>of</strong><br />
soundly based advice to the industry. Moreover, the breadth <strong>of</strong> expertise is enhanced from time to time by<br />
inviting expert contributors from other Commissions and host countries to contribute to discussions or by<br />
organising joint meetings with other IIW Commissions or Working Units.<br />
As a result <strong>of</strong> this process, IIW provides its members with “IIW Statements” as consensus reached among<br />
members <strong>of</strong> its working units which can be considered as an informed point <strong>of</strong> view within the International<br />
welding community. In addition, IIW participates in the standardisation process and has produced several ISO<br />
Technical Reports on the matters <strong>of</strong> health, safety and environment in order to achieve the most widespread<br />
contact with the international industrial world.<br />
6.2.1 Health and safety issues <strong>of</strong> welders<br />
Despite advances in (welding) control technology, welders are still exposed to welding fumes and gases.<br />
The chemical composition <strong>of</strong> the particles in these fumes and gases depends on the welding processes, the<br />
chemical composition <strong>of</strong> the filler metal and the base material, the presence <strong>of</strong> coatings, time and severity<br />
<strong>of</strong> exposure ventilation.<br />
Although there are many different welding processes, it has been estimated that shielded metal arc welding<br />
(SMAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW) on mild steel and aluminium are performed by 70 percent <strong>of</strong><br />
welders. According to the EN ISO 14001 Standard and organisations such as OSHA, possible elements <strong>of</strong><br />
welding fumes and related hazards include, among others, zinc used in large quantities in the manufacture<br />
<strong>of</strong> brass, galvanised steels and various other alloys. With the welding <strong>of</strong> stainless steel, protection <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Through Optimum Use and Innovation <strong>of</strong> Welding and Joining Technologies<br />
<strong>Improving</strong> <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />
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