American Welding Society - Report Example

American Welding Society Introduction American Welding Society (AWS) was established in the year 1919 with headquarters in Miami, United s of America. The objectives of the organization are to develop science as well as technology along with procedures related to welding. It is a comprehensive nonprofit organization which helps in providing welding education as well as enhancement of technology in order to ensure a competitive life for the people of America. It has in excess of 66000 members throughout the world (American Welding Society, 2012). It also provides numerous certification programs for recognizing qualified welding personnel and providing opportunities for utilizing their professionalism as well as qualification for the welding industry. The most important certification program of AWS is the Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) program which helps the organization in minimizing inspection costs as well as enhancing the superiority of weld (Province of Nova Scotia, 2012). The discussion emphasizes on the comparison of confined spaces with the recommendations made by a textbook of C. Ray Asfahl. Furthermore, comparison and contrast is made in terms of recommendations by AWS with that of another organization with regard to the contact with chromium and nickel in welding fumes. It will also emphasize on the hazards, exposure and control of thorium associated with Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes. Question 1: Confined Spaces A confined space is any space which is closed from all the sides bearing death risk as well as injuries due to hazardous substances. According to AWS, confined spaces have limited space as well as limited entry or exit along with poor ventilation system. It results in suffocation for less oxygen as well as accumulation of hazardous gases. The place where the hot works are to be conducted should be tested for the amount of oxygen required as well as the amount of hazardous gases and fumes emitted. The recommendations which are made by AWS are to check for ventilation as well as to ensure that the emission of gases as well as fumes do not exceed the safety level. It should also set up local as well as general exhaust ventilation for efficient ventilation along with improving the working atmosphere of confined spaces for people functioning in it. Steps should be taken to avoid equipment as well as persons who are not necessary for the confined space. The exit of the space should not be blocked by any equipment as in case of emergency rescuing people inside the confined space it will be beneficial. One should go into a confined space under the watch of a specialized person for rescue operation in case of crisis. There must be a constant communication with the people working inside the space for precaution. There should be means provided for turning off gas as well as power along with fuel in the confined space as well as exterior for safety measures (American Welding Society, 2009). According to the textbook by C. Ray Asfahl, confined space is distinguished as permit required and non-permit required. In a permit required confined space, there should be an alert of hazardous element entrant as well as there should be steps taken in controlling these hazards. A professional trained attendant is essential for the safety of confined space. The attendant should observe entrants who are authorized for working in it. In case of depletion of oxygen as well as on the emission of hazardous gases, the attendant should be able to take instantaneous preventive measures and provide aid. In a non-permit required confined space, there is no existence of hazardous components (Asfahl, 2003). Therefore, confined space has a limited area as well as deprived ventilation system, which requires effective measures to be taken for the people working in it. It should have proper ventilation for the reduction of hazardous gases as well as professionally trained personnel for keeping a watch on people working in it. Question 2: Chromium and Nickel in Welding Fumes In the welding process, the fumes which are emitted contain hazardous components such as chromium as well as nickel which severely affect the health of employees working. Welding fumes which are generated can be controlled by identifying processes as well as solutions required. AWS has recommended numerous steps for preventing over exposure to these dangerous components which are severe for the health of people working. It has suggested not to breathe fumes as well as to keep head away from fumes while working. There should be sufficient exhaust as well as ventilation for keeping away fumes from the common area and breathing zone for safety of people and to maintain an efficient working environment. In case of inadequate ventilation, measures should be taken to test the air for any hazardous components and provide preventive procedures for its reduction. Initiatives are needed to be taken for getting least exposed to these gases as well as fumes (American Welding Society, 2003). With reference to the above discussed context, it can be observed that in Lincoln Electric Company numerous measures are taken for protection against welding fumes as well as to minimize exposure of hazardous gases. It has taken an initiative of replacing the welding process for reducing the amount of emissions of fumes which are generated during the process. Manufacturing process is to be changed with an automated working system for minimizing exposure to hazardous gases as well as efficient disposal of fumes. It also recommended establishing local as well as general exhaust ventilation for proper ventilation to efficiently dispose of fumes. It also suggested in providing better protective suit and hygienic facilities for managing exposure of workers to fumes while working (Lincoln Global Inc, 2007). The welding fumes which are emitted contain various hazardous gases that are severe for the health of people working. A safety professional should ensure that there exists proper ventilation for reducing fumes and healthy working environment in the facility. The people working should be offered protective suits as well as gloves for reducing exposure to unsafe fumes. The welding as well as manufacturing process should be automated for reducing human contact to hazardous fumes and gases. The automated system for processes will also help in efficient disposal of fumes. Question 3: Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes The Hazards of Thorium Thorium is a radioactive element which naturally exists in the environment. It affects those who are exposed to this element in an increased manner. Welder or grinder who is working with Thoriated Tungsten Electrodes is more exposed to this radioactive material. Consumption of excess level of this element may cause lung as well as liver disease. It may also lead to cancer as well as disability of a person to have children (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1999). The Source of Thorium Exposure during Use of Thoriated Tungsten Electrode Thoriated tungsten electrodes are a good medium to weld and it also has a long life. Tungsten inert gas arc uses the electrodes for welding. The electrode’s tip needs to be sharpened on a continuous basis by the welders which leave a residue of dust containing thorium. It operates at a temperature below its melting point which lessens the consumption of electrode during the process of welding. Workers are exposed to thorium while operating to thoriated tungsten electrodes for the reasons that at the time of grinding of these electrodes, radioactive dust is formed which poses a threat or hazard for internal radiation due to inhalation as well as ingestion. The residual dust is the main source of exposure to thorium (Saito, Hisanaga, Okada, Hirai, & Arito, 2003). Control of Thorium Exposure The exposure of thorium from thoriated tungsten electrode can be controlled with the use of different welding methods as well as by using electrodes which are free from thorium. The Read Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) should be properly read as well as followed while operating in the welding process. The workers who are working should be in protective suits as well as helmet for less exposure to fumes as well as dust while welding. There should be efficient local as well as general exhaust ventilation for proper disposal of fumes and to improve the working atmosphere. The welders or grinders should be appropriately trained for the welding operation as well as safety measures. The functioning area should be properly cleaned on the completion of the welding operations (The Office of Health, Safety and Security, 2007). Implementation of AWS Recommended Controls for Thorium Exposure The recommendations which are made by AWS to control thorium contact should be implemented by the company or organization where welding or grinding is done with thoriated tungsten electrodes. It also suggests workers who are working with this electrode should be careful about not inhaling as well as ingestion of fumes as well as dust. The welding as well as grinding organization should follow all the safety measures recommended for the better working atmosphere as well as for the health of workers. Conclusion AWS is a nonprofit organization which helps in the advancement of technology as well as provides welding education. The organization has numerous certification programs out of which CWI is the most important one for maintaining the quality of weld. AWS has made recommendations for improving the working conditions of confined spaces. It has also provided measures for controlling the exposure of thorium from thoriated tungsten electrodes. The measures should be followed for the safety of the workers as well as for improving the environment of the working place. The organization is effective in the regulation of emanation of hazardous gases as well as fumes. References American Welding Society. (2012). About AWS. Retrieved from http://www.aws.org/w/a/about/index.html?id=G2RhM5h2 American Welding Society. (2009). Hot Work in Confined Spaces. Safety and Health Fact Sheet No. 11, pp. 1-2. American Welding Society. (2003). Chromium and Nickel in Welding Fume. Safety and Health Fact Sheet No. 4, pp. 1-2. Asfahl, C. R. (2003). Industrial safety and health management. United States: Prentice Hall Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (1999). Thorium. What is thorium, pp. 1-2. Lincoln Global Inc. (2007). Frequently Asked Questions Welding Fume Control. Literature, pp. 3-40. Province of Nova Scotia. (2012). American Welding Society (AWS). Retrieved from http://www.gov.ns.ca/econ/ic/certification/certificates/process/American-Welding-Society-Marine-Technology.asp Saito, H., Hisanaga, N., Okada, Y., Hirai, S., & Arito, H. (2003). Thorium-232 Exposure during Tungsten Inert Gas Arc. Industrial Health 41, pp. 273-278. The Office of Health, Safety and Security. (2007). Use of Tungsten Welding Rods Containing Thorium. Retrieved from http://www.hss.doe.gov/sesa/corporatesafety/safety_bulletins/Bulletin_on_Thoriated_to_rccc200704.pdf Read More