Page 15 - Occupational Health & Safety, February 2018

These regulations will potentially
have a very large impact on
small and mid-sized employers.
for 30 or more days per year
■ Train workers on work operations
that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure
■ Keep records of exposure measure- ments, objective data, and medical exams
These regulations will potentially have a very large impact on small and mid-sized employers. Many employers currently have some sort of safety program in place, but few if any have a program (or the bud- get) that includes medical exams, written programs, etc. With more than 2,000,000 American workers impacted by this regu- lation, safety and industrial hygiene profes- sionals are certain to have their plates full in 2018 helping companies comply.
Respiratory Protection for Welding Fumes Takes Center Stage
In April 2017, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified both welding fumes and UV radiation from welding as a Group 1 carcinogen, the agency’s designation for agents that carry sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. The IARC is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization.
According to the IARC, the new classi- fication for welding fumes is based on “sub- stantial new evidence” from observational and experimental studies (UV radiation from welding was previously classified as a Group 1 carcinogen in 2012). In addi- tion, they stated that up to 1 percent of the world’s workforce may be exposed to weld- ing fumes while on the job. The study also noted that certain workers were more likely to develop cancer, depending on the chemi- cals and fumes to which they were exposed. The health consequences of welding fumes and gas exposure include damage to work- ers’ lungs, kidneys, and even their nervous systems.
Sounds pretty serious, doesn’t it? How- ever, even though this classification oc- curred last April, there has been very little fanfare about the reclassification and, to date, OSHA has taken no steps since then to introduce new research, studies, or rule- making related to welding fumes as they have done with silica.
That said, over the last few months we have seen significantly increased concern
and interest from welders and welding or- ganizations related to respiratory protec- tion. In particular, we are seeing a strong demand for PAPR respiratory solutions that can provide a high-efficiency (HEPA P100) particulate filter to protect against mechanically and thermally generated particles and that are light, comfortable, and compact and easily fit under existing welding hoods and grinding visors. This demand for PAPR solutions mainly stems from the fact that disposable masks do not provide the necessary protection levels when working around welding fumes, can often restrict breathing, do not respond well to heat or hot environments, and can frequently force a welder to stop work to cool down or get a breath of fresh air.
Looking forward in 2018, we expect to see the awareness of the IARC welding fume reclassification to continue to grow and more welders looking to utilize respira- tory protection on the job. We also expect at least to see discussions and receive some announcements and guidance from OSHA on regulations related to worker respira- tory protection when welding or working around welding fumes. Finally, we expect that welders and welding organizations will continue to require and expect respiratory and PAPR solutions that are highly mobile and not restrictive to utilize.
Looking Ahead—2018 and Beyond
So there we have it: Two big issues in 2018 that will impact millions of additional American workers and employers. The good news is that PPE technology and spe- cifically respiratory protection technology are keeping pace to help companies comply
and workers stay safe. It is critical that respi- ratory protection vendors continue to bring to market new, cost-effective solutions that fit the worker’s job and needs and not just attempt to shoehorn old technology to new standards and worker requirements.
Looking beyond 2018, what else is coming? Connected workers? Internet of Things interoperability between respiratory protection and other PPE products? We will likely see some interesting technology and solutions come to market over the next 12 to 24 months. For now, however, the in- dustry will be focused on the implementa- tion of the silica standard and understand- ing how to protect workers from harmful welding fumes.
Have a wonderful 2018, and we’ll check back later in the year to see how things are progressing with the imple- mentation of the silica standards across the various industries and the adoption and visibility of respiratory protection in the welding industry.
Ken Henry is Director of Sales-Americas for CleanSpace Respirators Australia Pty Ltd. He has an educational, technical, and professional background in industrial hy- giene and safety and health, having worked as a CIH and corporate safety director. He also has been involved in the safety products marketplace for more than 30 years, with more than half of his career involved in the product development, sales, and marketing of respiratory protection equipment. Distrib- uting its products worldwide, CleanSpace Respirators has developed revolutionary and game-changing solutions in PAPR respira- tory protection.
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