AWS Specification

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

1272/2008 IMPORTANT ‐ This section covers the hazardous materials from which this product is manufactured. The fumes and gases produced during welding with normal use of this

67/548/EEC

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Principle Routes of Exposure

Respiratory System, Eyes and/or Skin ARC RAYS: The welding arc can injure eyes and burn skin. ELECTRIC SHOCK: Arc welding and associated processes can kill. See Section 8. FUMES AND GASES: Can be dangerous to your health. Welding fumes and gases cannot be classified simply. The composition and quantity of both are dependent upon the metal being welded, the process, procedures and electrodes used. Most fume ingredients are present as complex oxides and compounds and not as pure metals. When the electrode is consumed, the fume and gas decomposition products generated are different in percent and form from the ingredients listed in Section 3. Decomposition products of normal operation include those originating from the volatilization, reaction or oxidation of the materials shown in this section, plus those from the base metal and coating, etc., as noted above. Monitor for the materials identified in the list within this section. Fumes from the use of this product may contain complex oxides or compounds of the following elements and molecules: amorphous silica fume, calcium oxide, chromium, copper, fluorspar or fluorides, manganese, nickel, silica and zirconium. Other reasonably expected constituents of the fume would also include complex oxides of iron, titanium, silicon and molybdenum. Gaseous reaction products may include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. Ozone and nitrogen oxides may be formed by the radiation from the arc. Other conditions which also influence the composition and quantity of the fumes and gases to which workers may be exposed include: coatings on the metal being welded (such as paint, plating or galvanizing), the number of welders and the volume of the work area, the quality and amount of ventilation, the position of the welder's head with respect to the fume plume, as well as the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere (such as chlorinated hydrocarbon vapors from cleaning and degreasing activities). One recommended way to determine the composition and quantity of fumes and gases to which workers are exposed is to take an air sample inside the welder's helmet if worn or in the worker's breathing zone. See ANSI/AWS F1.1, available from the "American Welding Society", P.O. Box 351040, Miami, FL 33135. Also, from AWS is MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET F1.3 "Evaluating Contaminants in the Welding Environment ‐ A Sampling Strategy Guide", which gives additional advice on sampling.