Journal article
Reduction of Biomechanical and Welding Fume Exposures in Stud Welding
The Annals of occupational hygiene, Vol.60(3), pp.387-401
04/2016
DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mev080
PMCID: PMC4861640
PMID: 26602453
Abstract
The welding of shear stud connectors to structural steel in construction requires a prolonged stooped posture that exposes ironworkers to biomechanical and welding fume hazards. In this study, biomechanical and welding fume exposures during stud welding using conventional methods were compared to exposures associated with use of a prototype system that allowed participants to weld from an upright position. The effect of base material (i.e. bare structural beam versus galvanized decking) on welding fume concentration (particle number and mass), particle size distribution, and particle composition was also explored. Thirty participants completed a series of stud welding simulations in a local apprenticeship training facility. Use of the upright system was associated with substantial reductions in trunk inclination and the activity levels of several muscle groups. Inhalable mass concentrations of welding fume (averaged over ~18 min) when using conventional methods were high (18.2 mg m(-3) for bare beam; 65.7 mg m(-3) for through deck), with estimated mass concentrations of iron (7.8 mg m(-3) for bare beam; 15.8 mg m(-3) for through deck), zinc (0.2 mg m(-3) for bare beam; 15.8 mg m(-3) for through deck), and manganese (0.9 mg m(-3) for bare beam; 1.5 mg m(-3) for through deck) often exceeding the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). Number and mass concentrations were substantially reduced when using the upright system, although the total inhalable mass concentration remained above the TLV when welding through decking. The average diameters of the welding fume particles for both bare beam (31±17 nm) through deck conditions (34±34 nm) and the chemical composition of the particles indicated the presence of metallic nanoparticles. Stud welding exposes ironworkers to potentially high levels of biomechanical loading (primarily to the low back) and welding fume. The upright system used in this study improved exposure levels during stud welding simulations, but further development is needed before field deployment is possible.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Reduction of Biomechanical and Welding Fume Exposures in Stud Welding
- Creators
- Nathan B Fethke - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA; nathan-fethke@uiowa.eduThomas M Peters - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USAStephanie Leonard - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USAMahmoud Metwali - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USAImali A Mudunkotuwa - Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Annals of occupational hygiene, Vol.60(3), pp.387-401
- DOI
- 10.1093/annhyg/mev080
- PMID
- 26602453
- PMCID
- PMC4861640
- NLM abbreviation
- Ann Occup Hyg
- ISSN
- 1475-3162
- eISSN
- 1475-3162
- Publisher
- England
- Grant note
- P30 ES005605 / NIEHS NIH HHS U60 OH009762 / NIOSH CDC HHS U60-OH009762 / NIOSH CDC HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2016
- Academic Unit
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Occupational and Environmental Health; Industrial and Systems Engineering; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9983997318702771
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