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more_legal_areas welding-rodWelding rod safety is a very important concern because of the many hazards indicative to the welding industry, especially the serious health risks associated with welding rod fumes. Welding rod fumes containing manganese and other toxic elements compromises welding rod safety because overexposure can cause the following symptoms: short term metal fume fever, nausea, dizziness and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and long term siderosis (metal deposits in the lungs), impairment of pulmonary functioning, bronchitis, lung fibrosis, and serious central nervous system impairment.
Parkinsonism is a progressive and debilitating disease that can develop because of exposure to welding rod fumes containing manganese and includes the following symptoms: rigidity, loss or difficulty in movement or speech, tremors, and depression. These symptoms mimic the symptoms of Parkinson''s disease, whose cause is unknown and for which there is no cure.
There are several steps that can be taken towards welding rod safety. The National Ag Safety Database suggests several steps that can be made to ensure welding rod safety. Selecting equipment that has been approved by the National Electric Manufacturers Association (NEMA) or the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for welding rod safety standards can be the first step in welding rod safety. Proper installation of equipment in compliance with OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) and the NEC (National Electric Code) can prevent fires, ground faults, and equipment failures. Fire prevention and complete personal protection measures also help to ensure welding rod safety.
One of the most important steps towards welding rod safety is adequate and proper ventilation of the work environment. This may require establishing an exhaust system as close to welding equipment as possible or using supplied air type respirators or other types of respirators. When working with non-hazardous metals, a vent system that moves a minimum of two thousand cubic feet of air per minute is required. A much stronger ventilation system is required when using hazardous metals like those containing manganese, zinc, lead, admium, mercury, beryllium, chromium, and nickel.
Unfortunately even when all welding rod safety precautions are taken, injuries and serious health problems can result from welding rod fume exposure and other related hazards. Although welding rod manufacturers have known about the deadly effects of welding rod fumes for almost two hundred years, they continue to deny responsibility for the serious harm their products cause. If you have been a victim of a serious welding rod injury you may be eligible to file a claim against the welding rod manufacturers for compensation.