![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](https://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
HSE TARGETING WELDING FUME CANCER RISK
Inspections to enforce improved controls required by new risk evidence
HSE has issued a reminder to all employers that they must protect the health of workers by controlling the risks from welding fume – including fume generated during mild steel welding fume which evidence has shown can cause cancer.
The regulator is presently undertaking a programme of inspections which will review health and safety standards across the country. Businesses are encouraged to read and act on the revised HSE Guidance which explains changes to the controls HSE expect to be adopted regarding welding fume.
Effective LEV and suitable RPE
To protect worker health from welding fume adequate controls must in place to avoid or reduce exposure to welding fume. Employers should be using local exhaust ventilation where effective and provide suitable respiratory protective equipment where necessary to protect from inhaling hazardous welding fumes.
The HSE inspections follow a Safety Alert that was issued in February 2019 after new evidence showed exposure to mild steel welding fume can cause cancer and HSE updated guidance to reflect this.
Scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer shows that exposure to mild steel welding fume can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer in humans.
John Rowe, Head of Manufacturing at HSE said:
“Employers and workers should know the risk, plan their work and use the right controls when welding activity is carried out. If they are not HSE will use enforcement to bring about improvements.”
It is our mission that all workers are protected and are not made ill or killed by their work. Everyone should be able to leave work and go home healthy and safe.”
HSE has a range of guidance to help you protect workers and COSHH advice sheets to help you control risk from the hazardous substances in welding.
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
POORLY DESIGNED SCHOOL GATE CRUSHED CHILD
Sliding gate over-run mechanism proved insufficiently robust
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th March 2020POWER GENERATOR PROSECUTED OVER UNSAFE SYSTEM
Maintenance workers seriously injured when energy suddenly released
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 2nd March 2020CEILING BELOW SAVES WORKMAN IN ROOFLIGHT FALL
Roofworker fell through roof after stepping on fragile rooflight
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 2nd March 2020INEXPERIENCED WORKER FELL THROUGH OPENING
No physical protection or warning of opening and fragile covering
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 29th February 2020CDM PRINCIPAL DESIGNER IN COURT OVER FIRE RISK
Designers and contractor prosecuted for risk management failings
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 29th February 2020LATEST HSE CONVICTIONS AND NOTICES REGISTERS
View current online HSE registers of prosecution convictions and notices
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th February 2020PRISON SENTENCE FOR RECALCITRANT DIRECTOR
Prohibition and improvement notices ignored and danger persisted
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 26th February 2020TEMPORARY WORKS HOARDING FELL ON PEDESTRIAN
Member of the public struck when site fence collapsed suddenly
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 26th February 2020CHILD FATALLY INJURED BY UNSECURED POLE
Pole stored on embankment moved and trapped boy against fencing
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 26th February 2020OWNER RESPONSE TO HSE INSPECTION ENDED IN COURT
Police uphold HSE right to inspect without threats, aggression or abuse
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 24th February 2020HSE TARGETING WELDING FUME CANCER RISK
Inspections to enforce improved controls required by new risk evidence
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 24th February 2020CONTRACTOR FAILED TO REPLACE MISSING PROTECTION
Painter and decorator fractured hip in fall from landing
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020RISK OF DERMATITIS SUFFICIENT FOR PROSECUTION
Company failed to implement controls and surveillance required by COSHH
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020COSHH FAILINGS CAUSE ASTHMA AND PROVE COSTLY
Uncontrolled exposure to isocyanates during paint spraying operations
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020POLICE EMPLOYEE SHOCKED BY DATA CABLE WORK
South Wales Force fined over electric shock from ceiling void cable
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020COLLAPSE OF PUMP SET TRAPPED WORKMAN
Unsafe system of work transferring from pallet to a raised platform
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020MODIFIED PODIUM STEPS CAUSE FALL FROM HEIGHT
Firm failed to select and correctly assemble with necessary training
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th February 2020SCHOOL LACKED SAFE SYSTEM FOR ROOF RETRIEVAL
Workman fell from roof whilst retrieving shoe of pupil
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2020ARM OF WORKMAN AMPUTATED IN CONVEYOR
Major construction materials supplier fined heavily over unsafe system
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2020CONCRETE BLOCK PLANT GUARDING BREACHED
Sections of machinery perimeter safety fencing missing for months
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2020FATAL FUEL TANK EXPLOSION DURING CUTTING
Companies failed to meet known, established and clear standards
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th February 2020FIRMS FINED HEAVILY OVER STUDENT FIRE RISK
Senior fire officers found “blatant disregard” for law and resident safety
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd February 2020ROOFER SURVIVED OVER 6M FALL FROM ROOF EDGE
Replacement of asbestos cement roof lacked proper planning
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd February 2020CLIENT & BUILDER ACCOUNT FOR ASBESTOS FAILINGS
Asbestos survey identified ACMs which were removed without controls
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th January 2020UNSAFE USE OF SKIP LIFTER CAUSED FATALITY
Fork lift being lifted on to vehicle fell when winch wire failed under load
Posted on 30th January 2020
