Welding Fume Safety Task Force Update

1
Welding Fume Safety Task Force Update

• Michael A. Ruefer, CSP
• ACIG
• Senior Safety Consultant
• April 12, 2007

2
Task Force Development

• April 2004
• Welding Fume Litigation
• Manganese and Parkinsons Disease
• The Next Asbestos
• General Safety and Health Issues

3
Task Force Establishment

• Welding Survey to all ACIG Contractors
• General Building
• Industrial/Specialty
• Street Road
• Research Welding Fume Issues
• Google 864,000 Hits
• Contact with Welding Industry
• Lincoln Electric Involvement
• Initial Visit to Lincoln, June 2004
• Presentation by Carl Peters of Lincoln Electric,
  September 2004

4
Task Force Conference Calls and Meetings

• 5 Conference Calls
• 2 Lunch Meetings at Workshops
• 1 Meeting in Chicago Hosted by Graycor
• Plant Tour and Demonstration at Lincoln
  Electrics World Headquarters, September 2006

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Major Topics of Discussion

• Welding Fume Litigation
• Manganese
• Link to Parkinsons Disease
• Elam Case in Madison County, Illinois
• Welding Rod Manufacturer Defense
• Contractor and User Claims
• OSHA Hexavalent Chromium Standard

6
Task Force Accomplishments

• Early Start and Teamwork
• Welding Fume Extraction Options
• Respiratory Protection Options
• Welding Process Options
• Exposure Monitoring
• Data Collection Form and Guidelines
• Welding Fume Data Sharing

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Task Force Resources

• Conference Call and Meeting Notes
• Various Electronic Documents
• ANSI Z49.1.2005
• www.aws.org (Free download)
• Welding Fume Litigation
• www.weldinginfonetwork.org
• Hexavalent Chromium Standard
• 29 CFR 1926.1126
• OSHA Compliance Guide

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Task Force Panel Discussion Questions

• Tom Skaggs Safety Director Murphy Company
• Recognizing Exposures Hexavalent Chromium
  Mechanical Construction
• Jack Carlson Director, Safety Quality
  Graycor Services L.L.C.
• Brian Doran Director of Safety J J White, Inc.