Mining Environmental Target Investigation: Welding Operations at Underground and Surface Coal Mines

摘要

A target investigation was conducted to determine adverse health effects of inhalation contaminants produced during welding processes. The immediate effects of acute exposure to welding fumes are metal fume fever and eye and throat irritation from ozone (10028156), nitrous oxides, and fluorides. A death certificate survey showed a higher risk of lung cancer death among welders, operators, boilermakers, painters, and oilfield workers. Hardfacing operations resulted in overexposures to inorganic nickel (7440020), hexavalent chromium (7440473), and nitrogen-dioxide (10102440). Shielded metal arc welding or gas welding were used in 82 percent of mine welding operations. Most welding was done on mild and low alloy steels. Most worker complaints resulted from lack of adequate ventilation; few underground welding shops were used, most underground operations were limited to repairs, except for installation of new machinery. Underground welding was always kept to a minimum. Samples were collected in bucket houses at two strip coal mines and at an underground coal mine. None of the NIOSH recommended limits was exceeded by any of the samples.