In this article we are going to take an in depth look at what welding fume is, the health risks associated with it, and how Girder Clamps can be used as an alternative connection method to eliminate the dangers.
The re-classification of welding fumes emphasized the very real health risks that welders face everyday while doing their job. It serves as a reminder that welders need to take precautions to protect their health, even if the risk is not obviously visible.
The process of welding produces harmful welding fume that can easily enter the human respiratory system and generally consists of two main components:
Metal Dust: Extremely fine metal dust particles created by welding are often highly concentrated and can appear like smoke which can then be inhaled if proper precautions are not taken. This dust can be made up of a number of toxic metals, including Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silver, Tin, Titanium, Vanadium and Zinc.
Gases: A number of gasses that are potentially harmful can be created through welding including Argon, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Helium, Hydrogen Fluoride, Nitric Acid, Nitrogen, Nitrogen Dioxide, Ozone, and Phosgene.
Both acute and chronic health risks are associated with the inhalation of welding fume. Occupational lung disease, including lung cancer, is the most common health risk, but damage to the brain and nervous system can also occur. There is also a significant risk from asphyxiation (suffocation from lack of oxygen) when welding in confined spaces.
Some of the most common health effects include:
There are also many other hazards associated with welding which can have time, cost and of course health and safety implications in the field.
Government health and safety agencies all over the world advocate a hierarchy of controls for welding to help eliminate or minimize exposure to welding fume. The first step is to consider whether the process of welding can be completely eliminated or substituted by designing the job differently. This is where the designer can choose to use Lindapter girder clamps as an alternative connection method.
Lindapter girder clamps provide a safer alternative to welding as they can be used to connect steel members, such as beams and columns, with just standard hand tools. This method of connection eliminates the production of any dangerous fumes, thereby significantly reducing the health risks faced by construction workers.
Lindapter girder clamps provide a high strength connection that is quickly achieved by clamping two steel sections together with a standard girder clamp configuration consisting of Lindapter clamps, a location plate, bolts, washers and nuts.
During installation, the location plate is brought into position and the steel beams are then aligned by sliding the sections into the correct position. The Lindapter clamps, bolts, washers and nuts are then fitted to hold the connection in place, and a torque wrench used to tighten each bolt to the recommended torque.
In summary, Lindapter girder clamps offer an alternative connection method that can completely remove the need for welding in the field and therefore the dangers associated with welding fume. To improve workplace safety for construction workers on your next project contact Lindapter and our experienced engineers will work with you to design the optimum girder clamp connection detail.
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Reasons to choose Lindapter
Save time and money
Clamping two steel sections together avoids time-consuming welding or conventional drilling and bolting.
Safer connections
Drilling and welding in the field is avoided, removing the need for hot work permits and encouraging safer site conditions.
High strength
Lindapter clamps are manufactured from high strength materials to resist high load requirements and harsh environments.
Industry leading approvals
Lindapter has earned a reputation synonymous with safety and reliability, gaining multiple independent approvals.
Adjustable
Quickly align steel sections by sliding the section into the correct position before tightening the Girder Clamp to complete the installation.
Free connection detailing
Lindapter’s experienced Engineers can detail a custom connection based on your specific requirements free of charge.
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