The MFL Health and Safety Committee has received the findings of a new Manitoba study on welders’ exposure. The two year study, commissioned by the Workers Compensation Board, was conducted by OHG Consulting in 40 workplaces across Manitoba.

Doug Wylie of OHG Consulting told the MFL Health and Safety Committee that the study showed a large number of Manitoba welders are overexposed to hazardous welding fumes. Overexposure to welding fumes can cause respiratory (lung), reproductive and central nervous system illnesses as well as cancer.

Other findings of the study included:

• MIG welding without recommended controls likely results in overexposure to welding fumes.
• The study provides “reasonable grounds to believe” that a Workplace Improvement Order should be issued where MIG welding is happening without local exhaust ventilation or respiratory protection.
• Workplaces with uncontrolled welding should be tested.
• Overexposure to welding fumes can be avoided with recommended controls, some of which are low or zero cost.

Recommended controls include:

• using low manganese welding wire (no cost);
• changing welder work position;
• local exhaust ventilation;
• general ventilation;
• personal protective equipment.

The MFL Health and Safety Committee wants to help ensure the results of this important study are shared across welding workplaces and classrooms across Manitoba, and elsewhere.

To see the study in more detail, click here to download a PDF of it. For a PDF of a short brochure on the study, click here. To obtain more information, please contact the study’s author, Doug Wylie (OHG Consulting) at (204) 471-2432 or ohgconsulting@shaw.ca.